The CEO of NASDAQ Global Funds, John Jacobs, stated, “We believe this development will expose more investors to a portfolio that represents companies that are at the forefront of their respective industries. I can’t think of a better way to strengthen our relationship with a leading financial services company than to collaborate on an endeavor involving QQQ, one of the most popular investment products in the world.”
Tom Carter, managing director of ALPS stated, “We’re excited about expanding our six-year relationship with NASDAQ. We are committed to providing them with excellent salespeople ? who know the product and will educate investment professionals on enhanced portfolio strategies and techniques using QQQ. QQQ has exceptional brand awareness in the investment community and we believe that actively wholesaling the product will expand its potential to gather assets and remain the most actively traded ETF.”
ALPS has hired Kevin Ireland and Christopher Jemapete to work as the two regional sales directors to educate investment professionals and promote QQQ to major brokerage firms and the registered investment adviser market. The two have 52 years of combined financial industry experience and both have significant experience with ETFs in their careers. The regional sales directors will be supported by an internal wholesaler.
Since 1999, ALPS Distributors, Inc. has acted as medallion distributor for QQQ. Medallion or legal distribution includes sales and advertising material review, licensing registered representatives and other legal functions. In 2000, ALPS began providing ETF telephone support services for QQQ with NASD-licensed personnel.
