Former QUALCOMM executive joins Wmode board to provide strategic advice

Wireless micropayment system provider Wmode has lured a former QUALCOMM senior executive to sit on its board of directors, a move the company’s head says reinforces the credibility of its technology and product offering. On April 17, Wmode appointed Robert Blakeney to its board, who will be tapped to provide strategic advice and direction as the Calgary-based company tries to make its ClearMode product the de facto wireless content billing standard for the industry. Wmode president and CEO Dennis Woronuk says Blakeney’s experience and knowledge of the industry is certainly a major addition to the board. The long-time industry veteran most recently served as senior VP, QCT engineering at QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "I think it is an endorsement of the technology we have and the products that we’ve brought to market," Woronuk says of Blakeney’s decision to join the Wmode board. Drawing on his industry experience will be a major asset to the company, Woronuk says. "It’s his contacts in the industry which gives us the credibility to go in and meet the right people at the right level," he tells Report on Wireless. "And second of all, (he can) give us guidance, not only on the governance side, but also on the strategic direction of the company. "He has tremendous insight into where this industry is moving and the future of it. He’ll be able to really help us to move along in the right direction." Wmode can now count a stable of four U.S.-based executives providing strategic direction for the upstart wireless billing system provider. Last June, the firm formed a strategic advisory board designed to advise the company on the best course of action going forward to meet its objectives. The three other members based south of the border are: Martha Dennis, a venture partner at Windward Ventures; David Lyon, CEO of Silicon Wave; and Mark Wells, CEO of Zucotto Wireless. Woronuk says Wmode would like to add another external director to its board. He notes that discussions are ongoing with another potential candidate, but can’t divulge any further details. The decision to add Blakeney to the board may also help the startup land additional financing. Woronuk says the company is seeking another round of financing and is hoping to secure about US$5 million. "(That) would be a reasonable number to take us to a really great point where we would hopefully be cash flow positive," he says. While a major slowdown and financial crunch have hurt the telecommunications market for the last 12 to 18 months, Woronuk believes that prospects in the market are beginning to look up. He admits that the events of last September put a major damper on telecommunications, but the wireless sector still seems to be growing. "Even though handset (shipments) are not growing at 20 to 25 per cent (this year), there’s still going to be 500 million handsets delivered this year. That’s a pretty sizable market," Woronuk says.

Former QUALCOMM executive joins Wmode board to provide strategic advice

News | April 30, 2002

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