Uber hires Target exec as new president focused on marketing mission

This file photo taken on March 25, 2015 shows an UBER application shown as cars drive by in Washington, DC. The US ride-sharing service Uber announced August 18, 2016 it had acquired the commercial transport-focused tech startup Otto as the company presses ahead with its pursuit of self-driving technology. The announcement came as the company also announced a 300 million effort with the Sweden-based automaker Volvo Cars to develop driverless cars."If that sounds like a big deal -- well, it is," Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said in a statement. SAN FRANCISCO - Uber has hired Target's chief marketing officer to create a more unified corporate message and strategy for the mushrooming ride-hailing service. Jeff Jones, 48, who joined Target in 2012 with a mission to upgrade the retailer's digital strategy, will become Uber's president of ride-sharing and be responsible for operations, marketing and customer support globally, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick announced in a blog post Tuesday.