LONDON — Bebo, the San Francisco-based social networking site, has hired Joanna Shields from Google as president, international, based at its new London office.
Shields was formerly managing director of strategic partnerships for Google in Europe, and was responsible for brokering the search giant's recent alliance with British Sky Broadcasting.
Bebo, backed by Benchmark Capital Europe, is the highest rated social networking site in the U.K., Ireland and New Zealand. It has 30 million registered users worldwide.
Shields will report to Bebo's co-founder and CEO Michael Birch.
She commented, "There is a true revolution in personal expression underway. Social networks provide a unique platform for people to connect with others anywhere in the world in new and innovative ways. Bebo is at the forefront of this phenomenon and has tremendous potential to connect its massive user base with media companies, brands and artists worldwide."
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