Linden Lab Names Former Organic Head as New CEO

A story yesterday cited former Linden Lab CEO Philip Rosedale as teasing an announcement to come in a matter of weeks about his search for a replacement. Today Linden Lab named Mark Kingdon as its new CEO, effective May 15, 2008. “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,” Kingdon said in a statement. “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 has served as CEO of digital communications agency Organic Inc. since 2001 and, prior to that, as a partner in the consulting division of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“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,” explained board member Mitch Kapor. “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.”

Kapor is stepping down from his role as chairman of the board, which will be Rosedale's new position.

Although Kingdon has emphasized the benefits of Second Life for marketers in the past, that hasn't been a major focus for the platform for some time.  Rosedale emphasized in every interview since he announced his intention to step down that leadership experience was more important than a software design background, though, and that seems to still be the case.

“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.”