Kotaku
After last month's resignation of Linden Labs founder and CEO Philip Rosedale, Kotaku readers have had only one question on their minds - is there any way I can get Grand Theft Auto IV early? The answer, of course, is no, but the knowledge that the Second Life company shall soon be in good hands will help massage the disappointment out of your collective furrowed brow. Former CEO of digital communications agency Organic Inc., Mark Kingdon is only one alphabetical space away from having an awesome last name. What he does have is an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a BA in economics from UCLA, and he's just thrilled to be here.
"To me, the CEO role at Linden Lab combines perfectly my passions for art and design, business and technology. Until Second Life, we experienced the digital world passively in two dimensions. By enabling users to create a rich and immersive virtual world, Second Life is transforming the way we connect, collaborate, learn and transact online.Kingdon will assure the role of CEO on the 15th of May, spontaneously appearing in the office with his hair attached to his ass and a boot sticking out of his chest, his clothing still loading. It's an SL thing.
Linden Lab Appoints Mark Kingdon As Chief Executive Officer Former CEO of Organic to Lead Company into Next Phase of Its EvolutionSAN FRANCISCO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Linden Lab®, the developer of the 3D virtual world Second Life®, today announced that its board of directors has named Mark Kingdon to serve as chief executive officer. In his new role, Kingdon will lead the day-to-day management and operations of the company, working closely alongside Linden Lab founder, former CEO and current chairman Philip Rosedale.
Since 2001, prior to joining Linden Lab, Kingdon served as chief executive officer of Organic Inc., a leading digital communications agency, establishing its reputation as a groundbreaking, innovative provider of user-centered design. Prior to Organic, Kingdon worked with idealab!, providing strategic guidance and operational support to emerging companies. Before that, Kingdon was a partner with the consulting division of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC), where he held a variety of senior roles throughout his twelve-year tenure. He received an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a BA in Economics from UCLA.
"Our search for the leader of Linden Lab demanded both tremendous business skills and a deep understanding and passion for Second Life and where it is going. Mark is the perfect choice," said Philip Rosedale, founder and chairman of the board, Linden Lab. "His management style, unwavering leadership in the face of great challenges, and approach to team-building exactly matches Linden's needs. He is a passionate believer in the potential of virtual worlds to change the world, and I look forward to working by his side while we watch it happen."
"We wanted to find someone with an exceptional blend of strategic, analytic, business and leadership skills, but also with endless creativity and a passion for the company and growing the virtual worlds category," said Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development Corporation and a Linden Lab board member. "Mark has demonstrated all of these attributes throughout his career, particularly at Organic, which, like Linden Lab, puts an incredible emphasis on overall user experience and design."
"Joining Linden Lab at this moment in its evolution, with so much growth and opportunity on the horizon, is incredibly exciting and I look forward to working with Philip and the Linden Lab team to help Second Life realize its limitless potential," said Mark Kingdon, Chief Executive Officer, Linden Lab. "To me, the CEO role at Linden Lab combines perfectly my passions for art and design, business and technology. Until Second Life, we experienced the digital world passively in two dimensions. By enabling users to create a rich and immersive virtual world, Second Life is transforming the way we connect, collaborate, learn and transact online. I am thrilled to be part of this epic transformation."
Kingdon assumes the position full time on May 15, 2008.
Comments
I wonder if having the last name Kingdon makes you feel awesome, or like a failure.
This is good news, I guess. I don't bother Second Life and Second Life doesn't bother me.
In other news, does anyone else think that a certain video game rental site's logo is suspiciously similar to Second Life's logo? I just noticed.
... And here I was hoping there was a secret tidbit to getting Grand Theft Auto IV early if I read the entire article.
/cry
I wonder if it will even matter that there's going to be a new CEO, Philip is still the chairman, and they can't do something drastic without his approval.
ZOMG, look at this companies logo
[www.gameznflix.com]
"Second Life is transforming the way we connect, collaborate, learn, [b]crash furry orgies with thousands of bouncing Pac-Men[/b], and transact online."
Fixed.
@ShaggE: Note to self... bug Bash for an edit button.
@ShaggE: I'll sign any petition you crate.
@karasu is my homeboy: wow...create*
Get going!
@karasu is my homeboy: @ShaggE:
Ill petition against your petition. If the internet has taught me anything, its that people shouldn't be allowed to change what they've said. They can apologize for it. Add on to it. But giving them the ability to change it is far too much power.
However, I'd be all gung-ho letting the star bellied sneeches that some of you are have an edit button. Then at least it would be people of (relative) repute.
@Komrade_Kayce: or you can just claim you "misspoke"
@Komrade_Kayce: Agreed. Nothing helps your future job's interviewer more than getting your screen name into Google to see that you enjoy ruining other people's online experiences.
Normally I stick up for Second Life since I do a lot of fun stuff there and make some great games, and I like to fight Kotaku's usual "LAWL FURRIES" jokes...
...but frankly, SL's been annoying the hell out of me lately with constant crashes, asset server failures, and a myriad of other bugs. So I'll join the masses in booing them today, at least, and hope this twit they hired actually FIXES THINGS for a change.
You know, it really is amazing what a phenomenal success Second Life has become recently. There's so much money to be made there for consumers with a little talent and work.
@Komrade_Kayce: I'm going to have to agree with Komrade. The occassional typo or spelling error and misused tags are not THAT annoying.
@ShaggE:
It's bouncing Paper Marios, not bouncing Pac-Men...
... Not that I would know anything about griefing, oh no.
"By enabling users to create a rich and immersive virtual world, Second Life is transforming the way we connect, collaborate, learn and transact online."
Does it sound to anyone else that he is seriously underestimating the amount of influence MMOs have had in the past decade or so? I mean, sure, Second Life has a lot of "subscribers," but most of those people only subscribe to try it once, and then they never try it again. But weren't there MMOs that were doing just what he is saying years ago?
Plus, maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have the degeneracy of the Internet in only two dimensions, thank you very much.
Yes Linden Labs, let us engage in a 3D utopia of cybersex, e-prostitutes and digital penises, good job!
By enabling users to create the ugliest thing since the Voodoo was shiny and new, Second Life is transforming the way I sometimes vomit into the back of my mouth when I look at the screen.
You know what all this talk of attachments in strange orifices, the slow rez joke... it goes to show that Fahey understand the medium like no other commentator can.
Psssh..MBA from Wharton. Please...I could do a better job!
:)
I sort of find Second Life interesting. It's interesting to me to see how whacky people are when they are given some tools and set free.
But man, Second Life needs a MAJOR overhaul in technology. It is painfully ugly and slow.
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