Bebo hires Google executive to grow European member base

by Alison Donnelly, Marketing 01-Sep-08, 10:22

LONDON - Social networking site Bebo is looking to drive membership in continental Europe with the appointment of Nicole Vanderbilt to the newly created position of head of international expansion.

Vanderbilt, Google's former head of industry marketing, will be responsible for driving Bebo's business and membership internationally, initially focusing on France, Spain, Italy and Germany and the Netherlands. She will be based in Bebo's London office.

Before Google, she held several positions at American Express including director of business development.

Bebo recently hired another former Google employee when it appointed Kate Burns managing director of its European operations. Burns is a former UK Google managing director.

Earlier this year Bebo was bought by AOL and the site now forms part of the company's newly created 'People Networks' business unit which combines Bebo, the AIM and ICQ personal communications network, widget technology company Goowy Media and social search and answer service Yedda.