Sprint names executive to lead Hispanic market unit

Sprint Corp. has named a telecom executive in Brazil to lead its Hispanic business unit and its innovation efforts.

Roger Solé, 41, had been chief marketing officer of TIM Brasil, which is Telecom Italia’s wireless carrier in Brazil. He previously led innovation efforts for six years at Vivo, or Telefonica Brasil, which is that nation’s largest carrier.

“Sprint is committed to being a market leader in the Hispanic segment,” Sprint chief executive Marcelo Claure said in the announcement. “Attracting world-class talent like Roger (Solé) to lead this newly created business unit shows our commitment to this effort. This is a critically important position for Sprint, and I believe we have hired the right person for the job.”

Claure, an immigrant from Bolivia, had said in November that he would create a new business unit to serve the Hispanic market. Monday’s announcement said the 54 million U.S. Hispanic consumers represent the second largest racial or ethnic group in the market.

The company named Solé to be its senior vice president for the Hispanic market and for innovation. He reports to Claure.

Sprint said Solé, who starts Friday, also will serve as president of Sprint Puerto Rico. It also said Puerto Rico will serve as the “hub for Sprint’s Latin creativity and innovation.”

In the Kansas City area, Sprint’s mobile advertising unit called Pinsight Media and the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator will be under Solé’s direction, with Pinsight’s Kevin McGinnis reporting to Solé.

This story was originally published April 27, 2015 at 6:30 PM with the headline "Sprint names executive to lead Hispanic market unit."