AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

Advertising Age

Can Mark Kingdon Bring Spark Back to Second Life?

Mark Kingdon, CEO of Omnicom digital agency Organic, is stepping down from his post to take over as CEO of Linden Lab, the developer of Second Life.

Organic, which counts Bank of America and Chrysler as clients, does not have a replacement for him lined up, but a steering committee is in place to search for a new CEO.

“[Mark] has accomplished what he’s needed to accomplish,” said Amanda Van Nuys, an agency spokeswoman. “He’s leaving the company in a good position.”

Mr. Kingdon has worked as CEO of Organic since 2001. Prior to joining the agency, he was a partner with the consulting division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Mr. Kingdon could not immediately be reached for comment.

Second Life, a virtual world, was a hotspot for marketers last year, but seems to have lost some of its luster this year. Philip Rosedale, founder of Linden Lab and the chairman of the company, in a statement said Mr. Kingdon’s “management style, unwavering leadership in the face of great challenges, and approach to team-building exactly matches Linden’s needs.”

Mr. Rosedale announced he was stepping down as the CEO of Linden Lab earlier this year.