Verizon, Jennifer Lopez launch Viva Movil stores aimed at Latinos

Verizon Wireless and Jennifer Lopez teamed up Wednesday to launch Viva Movil, a new brand of cellphone retail store that will target Latino customers.

The brand launched its website and a Facebook shopping app Wednesday and will roll out physical retail stores in the next few weeks. The first few stores will launch in Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

The stores will be staffed with biligual employees, but the phones and plans sold by Viva Movil are the same as Verizon’s. Customers can purchase the iPhone 5, Galaxy S 4 and the BlackBerry Z10.

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Verizon said that with the Facebook app, users will be able to get phone recommendations and shop with their friends. The recommendations are based on information users have shared on Facebook. For instance, a user may receive a recommendation for a particular phone based on his or her movie and music interests.

In addition to being the majority owner of the new venture, Lopez will serve as its chief creative officer and the face of the brand, which is being officially called “Viva Movil by Jennifer Lopez.� Her image is all over its website and Facebook app.

“As an entrepreneur, empowering the Latino community is at the core of what I choose to have my businesses stand for and exemplify,� Lopez said at the Viva Movil announcement, which was made at the CTIA-the Wireless Assn. conference in Las Vegas.

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