Brazil's leading cellular operator, Vivo Participacoes (VIV), named Cristiane Barretto Sales as its new Vice-President of Finance, Planning and Control, the company said late Tuesday in a statement.

Sales, who also will take on the duties of Investor Relations Officer, will replace Ernesto Gardelliano.

The company did not unveil the reason for the change.

Vivo is jointly controlled by Spain's Telefonica SA (TEF) and Portugal Telecom SGPS SA (PT).

-By Rogerio Jelmayer, Dow Jones Newswires; 5511-2847-4521; rogerio.jelmayer@dowjones.com