Kingdon, who will assume the position full time on May 15, 2008, will lead the day-to-day management and operations of the company, working closely alongside Linden Lab founder and current chairman Philip Rosedale, who announced last month that he would be stepping down as CEO to make way for someone with more operational and management expertise.
Since 2001 Kingdon has served as CEO of digital communications agency Organic. He has also previously provided strategic guidance and operational support to emerging companies for idealab! and was a partner with the consulting division of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he held a variety of senior roles during his twelve-year tenure.
"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 Rosedale.
"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."
More than 12 million people from over 100 countries have signed up to Linden Labs’ 3D online virtual world Second Life (pictured), which promotes user-generated content. While the vast majority of accounts are no longer active, it is estimated that there are around 500,000 hardcore users who help to build the world, which includes homes, vehicles, nightclubs, stores, landscapes and clothing.
"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 Kingdon.
"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."