Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. (NYSE:VM) today announced that Bob Stohrer, currently Vice President of Brand & Integrated Marketing, has been tapped as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Stohrer will take on this role as Howard Handler, who has served as CMO since Virgin Mobile’s launch, leaves the company.

Handler and Stohrer joined the no-contract wireless service in 2003. Both have been instrumental in driving its growth from a start-up MVNO to one of the nation’s top 10 wireless providers, with a customer base of nearly five million. Following several years of impressive growth as well as the recent completion of the company’s initial public offering, Handler has decided to take the next step in his career.

“Howard has been one of the key architects of Virgin Mobile USA, helping to guide and shape many aspects of the company over the last five years,” said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. “I wish him the very best of luck in the next phase of his career.”

Handler commented that, “since the beginning, my intention has been to build the brand and the business to a point where it hits significant scale. I take great pride in having helped to shape the company over the last five years. Another key goal, professionally and personally, was to take the company public. Now that has been accomplished, and Bob is clearly the most natural successor to lead the marketing team going forward. The time feels right for this move.”

“I am thrilled to announce that Bob Stohrer will take over as CMO to chart the course for Virgin Mobile’s next stage as a public company,” said Schulman. “Bob has also played a large part in giving Virgin Mobile its bold, maverick spirit and he will be a powerful force in shaping our marketing strategy going forward.”

“I’m excited to build on the marketing accomplishments delivered over the past five years, and look forward to defining new and innovative ways to continue to drive demand for the brand,” said Stohrer. Virgin Mobile is fundamentally a consumer champion and category challenger, and we won’t be bashful when it comes to pointing out why we’re a better way to go wireless.”

Stohrer joined Virgin Mobile USA in 2003 as VP, Brand & Communications, and was promoted to VP, Brand & Integrated Marketing in 2006. Working with Handler, the partnership created some of Virgin Mobile’s most visible programs, including “Nothing to Hide” — the Naked campaign, “Chrismahanukwanzakah,” and this year’s “You Rule” campaign.

Earlier in his career, Stohrer served as vice president and creative director at National Football League Properties, where he advanced the NFL’s branding and advertising efforts. Stohrer played a pivotal role in some of the NFL’s most memorable creative campaigns including the “Feel the Power” fan development outreach, the award-winning “Thank You, Fans” Super Bowl commercials, and the “Play Football” youth campaign.

Stohrer attended Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications and currently lives in Hoboken, NJ with his wife, Rebecca and two kids, Olivia and Sebastien.