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Persephone Milk · 04-22-2008, 06:14 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, 06:18 PM

Cute.

Bams · 04-22-2008, 06:20 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, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isabeau Imako

Cute.

I am tired of cute.

WarKirby Magojiro · 04-22-2008, 06:25 PM

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

Kristian · 04-22-2008, 06:25 PM

Interesting pick.

**Io Zeno** · 04-22-2008, 06:25 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, 06:29 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, 06:30 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, 06:31 PM

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

coco

Tyche Shepherd · 04-22-2008, 06:31 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, 06:32 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, 06:35 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, 06:36 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, 06:37 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, 06:39 PM

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

Cocoanut Koala · 04-22-2008, 06:39 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, 06:39 PM

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

SL Forums

Trout Recreant · 04-22-2008, 06:41 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, 06:43 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.

Hiro Queso · 04-22-2008, 06:44 PM

They've announce it on the blag:

Announcing our New CEO! « Official Second Life Blog

prinţesă nină · 04-22-2008, 06:45 PM

ugh.
a senior partner from an accounting firm

Walker · 04-22-2008, 06:45 PM

Apparently he likes to doodle, paint and draw.

Hiro Queso · 04-22-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenda Connolly

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

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k Suisei on RA

M Linden's avatar:

Brenda Connolly · 04-22-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiro Queso

.

Every once in a while he comes up with a good one.

04-22-2008, 06:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kristian stored in the cloud SLU Supporter PHIL LINDEN SKULLFCKED ME RIGHT HERE* Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,866 My Mood: SL Join Date: 2/26/2005	Interesting pick. __________________ Ming's Things http://slurl.com/secondlife/Stargazer/232/232/1501

04-22-2008, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cocoanut Koala Coco's Cottages There is no sanctuary. You may think there is, but there isn't. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8,384 SLShopper Ads: 8 Business: Coco's Cottages Awards: 1	There is hope there, maybe, in that "as much as possible" part. coco __________________ ~ Coco's Cottages ~ Rosieri 87,165,88 Newest Addition: SNOWY WOODS COTTAGE ~from the 512 Collection~

04-22-2008, 06:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tyche Shepherd Fortuna vitrea est enjoying the victor's spoils Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,460 My Mood: SL Join Date: 26th April 2007 Awards: 1	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 A public copy of my Second Life Main Grid Survey Database can be found at http://www.gridsurvey.com - Now with added Second Life Incidents !!

04-22-2008, 06:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Psyke Phaeton Senior Member SLU Supporter Running 'round in Circle's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 6,949 My Mood: SLShopper Ads: 1 SL Join Date: 12-Oct-2003 Business: Psyke's Defence Systems Blog Entries: 3	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 \| HomeSecurity Orb - the original security orb \| Psyke's AjaxLife - Free web SL access.

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04-22-2008, 06:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Isabeau Imako P'tite Poulette Spreading the lip balm Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montréal Posts: 2,047 My Mood:	Cute.

04-22-2008, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bams Banned You can't give up on the World... of Warcraft! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,448 My Mood: Poker Drop Champion! Frogger Champion! Bubble Bobble Champion! Bomb Jack Champion! Blog Entries: 1	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.

04-22-2008, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joseph Brooks Junior Member Has 10 fingers Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17	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, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Isabeau Imako P'tite Poulette Spreading the lip balm Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montréal Posts: 2,047 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, 06:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
Psyke Phaeton Senior Member SLU Supporter Running 'round in Circle's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 6,949 My Mood: SLShopper Ads: 1 SL Join Date: 12-Oct-2003 Business: Psyke's Defence Systems Blog Entries: 3	And why now after the Reuters debacle? Is this spin control?

04-22-2008, 06:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
Cocoanut Koala Coco's Cottages There is no sanctuary. You may think there is, but there isn't. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8,384 SLShopper Ads: 8 Business: Coco's Cottages 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, 06:39 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, 06:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
Trout Recreant Oncorhynchus mykiss Incomprehensible gibberish Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 5,998 My Mood: Blog Entries: 3 Awards: 1	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, 06:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
Hiro Queso Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 753 My Mood:	They've announce it on the blag: Announcing our New CEO! « Official Second Life Blog

04-22-2008, 06:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
prinţesă nină Banned adores her psycho Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: melbourne Posts: 4,360 My Mood: SLShopper Ads: 1	ugh. a senior partner from an accounting firm

04-22-2008, 06:45 PM	#23 (permalink)
Walker Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,322 Doom Rider Champion!	Apparently he likes to doodle, paint and draw.

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