Will.i.am to Advise Branchless Banking App Atom
Atom, the app-based, has tapped Black Eyed Peas artist will.i.am as its first strategic board advisor, providing the UK company with an outsider's perspective on technology and trends.
Atom, the app-based bank, has tapped Black Eyed Peas artist will.i.am as its first strategic board advisor, providing the UK company with an outsider’s perspective on technology and trends. The branchless bank launched a year ago as an iOS and Android app offering traditional banking services like savings accounts and mortgages, with more on the way.
“Our lives are faster than ever before, but the banking industry hasn’t kept up,” said the rapper-producer in a statement. “The scale of Atom’s ambition to help people understand and manage their money better, and it’s clever use of technology to give people an entire bank on their phones is awesome.”
Will.i.am’s other ventures outside music include being named “director of creative innovation” at Intel Corp. in 2011. Last year he partnered with Deutsche Telekom to launch a voice-activated smartwatch line.
The partnership between will.i.am and Atom was facilitated by ITB, a marketing agency that delivers such pairings for various brands.
Commented Anthony Thomson, Atom’s founder and chairman: “Like us, will.i.am believes that technology can better and simplify our lives, which is at the heart of all that we are passionate about at Atom. As we develop the range of products and services on offer to customers, will.i.am’s unique view on the world and knowledge of future trends will be a great asset for us.”