The Western Union Company, a leader in global payments, today announced the appointment of Bill Chandler as Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. Chandler served in a similar role over the past decade at Gap Inc., the global retail and digital consumer business.

Chandler started earlier this month and reports to Elizabeth G. Chambers, the Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, who is responsible for the company’s strategy, product, marketing and communications.

“Bill is an accomplished strategic communicator who brings a wealth of experience to Western Union from a variety of industries and sectors,” said Chambers. “He’ll play an integral role in helping us build our brand, sharing our long and growing track record of product and channel innovation in the cross-border payments space.”

In this role, Chandler leads the global communications organization and serves as the key media spokesperson for the company.

“Western Union stands in a unique place in the marketplace – serving consumers and businesses in more than 200 countries,” Chandler said. “With the execution of our digital strategy and focus on our core business, it’s an exciting time to join a truly purpose-driven company, and help raise the visibility and standing of the brand worldwide.”

While at Gap Inc., Chandler led communications strategies as the company expanded internationally from 12 to 50 countries, acquired new brands, and developed its digital channels and services. He also orchestrated the creation of an alliance of more than two dozen American retailers to assist factory workers in Bangladesh.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Chandler, 52, has also held senior-level communications roles at market-leading brands, such as Charles Schwab and DIRECTV, and for senior elected officials, including United States Senator Dianne Feinstein and Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles.