Last week I had the chance to do a podcast brief with my friend Stephane Marceau at MOBIVOX. Imagine my surprise at this press release. I didn't get any hint of this at all ahead of time, but I think it's fabulous news. MOBIVOX is coming on very strong in the unified communications space. The addition of someone like Shaer lends even more credibility to their ongoing success and growth. Kudos

MONTREAL, Oct. 23, 2007—MOBIVOX, which makes it possible to connect with family and friends around the world for free from any phone, today announced the appointment of former head of Skype Mobile Product Group, Nitzan Shaer, as the company’s chief operating officer. Shaer was also appointed to the MOBIVOX board of directors.

Shaer joins MOBIVOX from IDG Ventures Boston, where he was Entrepreneur-in-Residence responsible for identifying new investment opportunities in the telecommunications and consumer Internet industries. While at IDG Ventures Boston, Shaer was instrumental in securing several investments including MOBIVOX.

“The potential for this service is remarkable and I am excited to join the MOBIVOX team,” said Shaer. “MOBIVOX is uniquely positioned to address the needs of millions of consumers looking for a seamless way to connect to the services and people they care about most. Free calls from any phone, any where is a revolutionary offering. I am looking forward to contributing to the continued growth of this innovative company.”

Previously, as head of the mobile product group at Skype, Shaer led development and marketing efforts that made Skype available on leading mobile phone platforms, including Nokia, Motorola and Windows Mobile. Shaer also helped to establish Skype Mobile development centers in three countries and recruited an international team of engineers, designers and product managers. Shaer lead marketing activities and viral marketing campaigns, achieving significant user growth.

In conjunction with Shaer’s appointment, MOBIVOX announced he will head a new company office in Boston. MOBIVOX headquarters are in Montreal.

“We are thrilled to have Nitzan Shaer join our board and our executive team,” said MOBIVOX CEO Stéphane Marceau. “Nitzan brings a wealth of business and consumer insight, experience and relationships that we’re confident will enable us to take MOBIVOX to the next level.”

Before Skype, Shaer served as a senior product manager at Microsoft, where he managed development of three emerging businesses in the company’s Mobile and Embedded Division. Earlier, Shaer managed business development and marketing in Europe at Brightcom Technologies, a company focused on developing Bluetooth® applications.

Shaer, a native of Israel who finished first in his class at Israel’s Air Force Officers Academy, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and management from Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

About Mobivox
MOBIVOX calls are free from anywhere in the world to over 40 countries, between MOBIVOX members. MOBIVOX members save up to 98 percent on all other international calls. After registering on www.mobivox.com , you simply dial a local access number to connect with friends and family a world away. When you call, you simply say the name of who you want to talk to. No need for a calling card, PIN numbers, computers, special software or complex downloads. It works on any phone and membership is free if you make at least one call a year.

Mobivox is privately held company whose investors include: IDG Ventures Boston, IDG Venture Investment China, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Brightspark and Skypoint.

See how free calls between MOBIVOX users work at www.mobivox.com/help/FAQ/ . For more information, please visit http://www.mobivox.com/ .

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