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Persephone Milk · 04-22-2008, 05:14 PM

Reuters/Second Life » Linden Lab picks online marketing executive as CEO

Quote:

Linden Lab picks online marketing executive as CEO
Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:00pm PDT

By Adam Reuters

SECOND LIFE, April 22 (Reuters) - Linden Lab said on Tuesday it has selected online marketing executive Mark Kingdon as its new chief executive, replacing founder Philip Rosedale.

Kingdon is CEO of digital marketing agency Organic Inc and a former senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. As of May 15, he will take control of day-to-day management and operations from Rosedale, who will become Linden Lab chairman and work on product development and strategy.

Kingdon described himself as an occasional Second Life user who created the avatar Marcus Voom in January, 2007. His newly created avatar is “M Linden.”

Rosedale told Reuters in March the company was looking for “someone who has experience with and a passion for growing this type of company — a software platform company — from 250 people to thousands of people.” He said on Tuesday that Kingdon’s history of overseeing complex projects paired with overall management expertise made him the most attractive candidate despite the lack of an explicit technology background.

“I would call myself a very balanced general manager. While I don’t come from a technology background I’ve been working with technology for my entire career,” Kingdon said in a joint phone interview with Rosedale.

Kingdon wrote a widely-read column in August, 2006 touting Second Life as an attractive opportunity for marketers. In the months after his piece was published, numerous blue-chip real-world companies entered Second Life. However, a subsequent backlash led many of them to pull back. He said that bringing back big brands was not a priority.

“Maybe it was the right place but definitely the wrong time for most big brands,” Kingdon said. “I’d like to see a continuation and even acceleration of the incredible in-world development we’ve seen from engaged, highly participative residents. that will create the richness of experience and vibrant economy that’s so important. If there are companies that can participate in the organic growth of Second Life, it’s a great place for them.”

Kingdon added that he plans to “magnify the very best” of Linden Lab’s quirky corporate culture, which currently allows employees to choose which projects they want to work on.

“But, I also believe that in highly creative, innovative cultures, that people have to be voluntarily aligned with a direction. As much as possible it’s essential that they choose their focus,” he said.

Isabeau Imako · 04-22-2008, 05:18 PM

Cute.

Bams · 04-22-2008, 05:20 PM

I guess we'll see. I won't be holding my breathe for any super sweetness to occur. the proof will be in the pudding as they say.

Persephone Milk · 04-22-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isabeau Imako

Cute.

I am tired of cute.

WarKirby Magojiro · 04-22-2008, 05:25 PM

Linden Lab Appoints Mark Kingdon As Chief Executive Officer | Linden Lab

Kristian · 04-22-2008, 05:25 PM

Interesting pick.

Io Zeno · 04-22-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Kingdon added that he plans to “magnify the very best” of Linden Lab’s quirky corporate culture, which currently allows employees to choose which projects they want to work on.

“But, I also believe that in highly creative, innovative cultures, that people have to be voluntarily aligned with a direction. As much as possible it’s essential that they choose their focus,” he said.

Hopeless, it's hopeless.

Joseph Brooks · 04-22-2008, 05:29 PM

Linden Lab picked some Vegan with coupon-cutting tendencies as its new CEO!

How long did it take M Linden to come up with his name? Did the first 12 letters not suit him? If you are not going to be creative how about just calling yourself CEO Linden?

"While I don’t come from a technology background I’ve been working with technology for my entire career,” Kingdon said. Who hasn't worked with some form of technology in the past 500 years? If I knew that they were seeking someone who may or may not have used a coffee machine I might have applied!

Sarah Nerd · 04-22-2008, 05:30 PM

So it seems although he joined last year, he's basically a newb. So lets all im him now with promises of avatar sex and get in on his good side before we start talking about how he has destroyed SL.

Cocoanut Koala · 04-22-2008, 05:31 PM

There is hope there, maybe, in that "as much as possible" part.

coco

Tyche Shepherd · 04-22-2008, 05:31 PM

Well with Mr Kingdon's experience at Organic providing integrated digital marketing communications I don't think this appointment heralds the end of ad farming - but maybe I'm just cynical

Brenda Connolly · 04-22-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Nerd

So it seems although he joined last year, he's basically a newb. So lets all im him now with promises of avatar sex and get in on his good side before we start talking about how he has destroyed SL.

Let's try to sell him Ginko Bonds.

Brenda Connolly · 04-22-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph Brooks

Linden Lab picked some Vegan with coupon-cutting tendencies as its new CEO!

How long did it take M Linden to come up with his name? Did the first 12 letters not suit him? If you are not going to be creative how about just calling yourself CEO Linden

I heard he wanted to stop at the 6th letter, but Phil convinced him people would just keep adding "ing" to his name.

Psyke Phaeton · 04-22-2008, 05:36 PM

marketing executive ... occasional Second Life user ... I don’t come from a technology background ... Maybe it was the right place but definitely the wrong time for most big brands ... “magnify the very best” of Linden Lab’s quirky corporate culture

We're doomed.

Isabeau Imako · 04-22-2008, 05:37 PM

Someone swore at me yesterday after I accidentally landed on their head. I IMed M Linden and the guy's account was immediately suspended. Really, he's a wonderful man. Don't you all worry so much, all will be well now.

Psyke Phaeton · 04-22-2008, 05:39 PM

And why now after the Reuters debacle? Is this spin control?

Cocoanut Koala · 04-22-2008, 05:39 PM

M Linden?

M Linden?

This is the wildly creative person we have now?

Well, maybe it will scare the other Lindens.

I hope.

coco

Hiro Queso · 04-22-2008, 05:39 PM

I posted over in RA, and I love 2k's response!

SL Forums

Trout Recreant · 04-22-2008, 05:41 PM

I offered to sell him the Hanson Infohub for 400,000L. It's a steal at that price! You should see the traffic. No really, you should see it. The numbers aren't great, but what a bunch of weirdos. Fun to watch.

Brenda Connolly · 04-22-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiro Queso

I posted over in RA, and I love 2k's response!

SL Forums

What did he say? I can't acess the forums anymore.

04-22-2008, 05:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bams Bunnie's Baby My version of reality is different than yours. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,523 Poker Drop Champion! Frogger Champion! Bubble Bobble Champion! Bomb Jack Champion! SL Join Date: 9/23/2007 Business: Bams & Bunns Blog Entries: 1 SLShopper Ads: 8 My Mood:	I guess we'll see. I won't be holding my breathe for any super sweetness to occur. the proof will be in the pudding as they say. __________________ -- Enjoy your Second Life - Bams XX "Bloodninja: Don't f**k with me biznitch, I'm the mightiest sorcerer of the lands." “We're all fucked. It helps to remember that.” - George Carlin "On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - The Narrator

04-22-2008, 05:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kristian is not Scandinavian mending Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,103 SL Join Date: 2/26/2005 My Mood:	Interesting pick. __________________ flickr \| twitter \| both \| creative writing journal and notes \| planetmofo.com

04-22-2008, 05:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sarah Nerd I BUY LAND Can I play with your land? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shermerville Posts: 5,976 Solitaire Champion! Harpoon Lagoon Champion! SLShopper Ads: 1 My Mood: Awards: 2	So it seems although he joined last year, he's basically a newb. So lets all im him now with promises of avatar sex and get in on his good side before we start talking about how he has destroyed SL. __________________ www.SarahNerd.com http://www.your2ndplace.com/sarahnerd

04-22-2008, 05:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cocoanut Koala Coco's Cottages still thinking about it Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Business: Coco's Cottages SLShopper Ads: 3 My Mood: Awards: 1	There is hope there, maybe, in that "as much as possible" part. coco __________________ Newest Addition: Freebie of the Month! 'Lil Cottage Series #8 ARABIAN NIGHTS by Shagz Anubis Pick yours up at Coco's Cottages! Rosieri 87,165,88 http://www.sluniverse.com/php/shop/s...p?product=4862

04-22-2008, 05:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tyche Shepherd Fortuna vitrea est Lightly Seared on the Reality Grill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,357 SL Join Date: 26th April 2007 My Mood:	Well with Mr Kingdon's experience at Organic providing integrated digital marketing communications I don't think this appointment heralds the end of ad farming - but maybe I'm just cynical __________________ Vanguard of the LolCatz Revolution This Post was financed by The National LolCatz Archives Clancy Sullivan :Yeah. YEAH! The sultry seamstress of mirth is definitely in charge now. Certified 7.8 on the Official Non-Arbitrary Trout Algorithmic Slut scale

04-22-2008, 05:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Isabeau Imako P'tite Poulette Spreading the lip balm Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montréal Posts: 887 My Mood:	Cute.

04-22-2008, 05:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joseph Brooks Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11	Linden Lab picked some Vegan with coupon-cutting tendencies as its new CEO! How long did it take M Linden to come up with his name? Did the first 12 letters not suit him? If you are not going to be creative how about just calling yourself CEO Linden? "While I don’t come from a technology background I’ve been working with technology for my entire career,” Kingdon said. Who hasn't worked with some form of technology in the past 500 years? If I knew that they were seeking someone who may or may not have used a coffee machine I might have applied!

04-22-2008, 05:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Psyke Phaeton Psyke's Defense Systems OM Shanti Shanti Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,927 SL Join Date: 12-Oct-2003 Business: Psyke's Defence Systems Blog Entries: 3 SLShopper Ads: 1	marketing executive ... occasional Second Life user ... I don’t come from a technology background ... Maybe it was the right place but definitely the wrong time for most big brands ... “magnify the very best” of Linden Lab’s quirky corporate culture We're doomed. __________________ Χάος Psyke's Defense Systems - maker of the original security orbs. Psyke's AjaxLife - Free web based Second Life access hosted by Psyke.

04-22-2008, 05:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Isabeau Imako P'tite Poulette Spreading the lip balm Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montréal Posts: 887 My Mood:	Someone swore at me yesterday after I accidentally landed on their head. I IMed M Linden and the guy's account was immediately suspended. Really, he's a wonderful man. Don't you all worry so much, all will be well now.

04-22-2008, 05:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
Psyke Phaeton Psyke's Defense Systems OM Shanti Shanti Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,927 SL Join Date: 12-Oct-2003 Business: Psyke's Defence Systems Blog Entries: 3 SLShopper Ads: 1	And why now after the Reuters debacle? Is this spin control?

04-22-2008, 05:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
Cocoanut Koala Coco's Cottages still thinking about it Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Business: Coco's Cottages SLShopper Ads: 3 My Mood: Awards: 1	M Linden? M Linden? This is the wildly creative person we have now? Well, maybe it will scare the other Lindens. I hope. coco

04-22-2008, 05:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Hiro Queso Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 753 My Mood:	I posted over in RA, and I love 2k's response! SL Forums

04-22-2008, 05:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
Trout Recreant Oh God, not him! ashamed of what he did for a Klondike Bar Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 1,065 My Mood:	I offered to sell him the Hanson Infohub for 400,000L. It's a steal at that price! You should see the traffic. No really, you should see it. The numbers aren't great, but what a bunch of weirdos. Fun to watch.

04-22-2008, 05:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
Hiro Queso Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 753