Bebo poaches Google's Vanderbilt for international expansion role

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 01-Sep-08, 11:00

LONDON - Social networking website Bebo has appointed Google's head of industry marketing Nicole Vanderbilt to the new role of head of international expansion.

Vanderbilt will be responsible for driving Bebo's business and membership internationally, initially focusing on France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.

She joins from internet giant Google, where she held the role of head of industry marketing in Europe and later in India. In this role, she was responsible for building the business-to-business marketing and industry sales strategy, as well as developing the company's agency programme.

Before Google, Vanderbilt worked at American Express as director of international business development and director of premium communications in Europe.

Joanna Shields, Bebo chief executive, said: "Nicole comes to Bebo with more than a decade of experience in developing creative, innovative marketing programs for top global companies.

"As we continue to grow internationally, she is an ideal candidate to drive Bebo's expansion in key international markets."

Vanderbilt will be based in Bebo's London office.

She said: "Bebo is already a powerhouse social network internationally predominant in UK, Ireland and New Zealand, and one of the top three social networks in the US, Canada and Australia in terms of engagement.

"I look forward to building upon this success in international markets where the site's fundamental qualities of community, self-expression and entertainment will surely resonate."

Vanderwilt's appointment follows that of Kate Burns, a former Google UK managing director, who joined Bebo in July as vice-president and managing director across Europe from video sharing website Dailymotion.