{"id":538,"date":"2007-09-05T00:55:01","date_gmt":"2007-09-05T00:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unituslabs.org\/?p=538"},"modified":"2011-05-13T00:05:51","modified_gmt":"2011-05-13T00:05:51","slug":"ed-bland-joins-unitus-as-chief-operating-officer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unituslabs.org\/updates\/ed-bland-joins-unitus-as-chief-operating-officer\/","title":{"rendered":"Ed Bland Joins Unitus as Chief Operating Officer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Microsoft Executive Ed Bland Joins Unitus as Chief Operating Officer<\/h2>\n
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Bland brings Fortune 100 business experience to Unitus leadership team<\/em><\/p>\n

Redmond, WA\u2014September 5, 2007<\/strong>\u2014Unitus, Inc., a worldwide leader in scaling innovative solutions to global poverty, today announced that Ed Bland has joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer. Highly regarded for successfully launching Microsoft Xbox, Bland will play a key role in helping Unitus\u2019s rapidly expanding portfolio of microfinance partners achieve continued double and triple digit growth.<\/p>\n

As COO, Bland will help shape and execute Unitus\u2019s high-growth strategy while ensuring that it remains an efficient, mission-focused organization. Leading a team of 47 world-class professionals in its Redmond and Bangalore, India, offices, Bland will oversee all aspects of Unitus\u2019s operations, including the selection of new microfinance partners, development and delivery of innovative products and services to its portfolio network, and Unitus\u2019s brand strategy and communications. Bland will also be responsible for overseeing core internal operations such as finance, facilities and human resources, to ensure the Unitus team is well-equipped with the necessary resources to bring economic opportunity to even more of the world\u2019s working poor.<\/p>\n

Prior to joining Unitus, Bland was a General Manager in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, leading the global marketing efforts for Microsoft\u2019s $2 billion games businesses. He launched Xbox 360 in North America, Europe and Japan in November 2005, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success. In addition, Bland led the U.S. sales team, which successfully launched the original Xbox in the U.S. in November 2001 and established that platform as a core element of Microsoft\u2019s consumer strategy.<\/p>\n

Previously at Microsoft, Bland was a Marketing Director in the Home & Retail Division, where he led all direct marketing relating to consumer software, hardware and e-commerce. Prior to this, Bland served as Group Product Manager of the Financial Products Group, where he managed U.S. sales and marketing activity for Microsoft\u2019s personal finance software. Bland received numerous awards at Microsoft, including one given directly by Bill Gates for making valuable long-term contributions to Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Bland holds an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management and a B.A. from Bowdoin College. He joins the growing ranks of experienced technology professionals putting their talents to work at Unitus. Others include:<\/p>\n