AOL promoted Bebo vice president and chief operating officer Stephane Panier to head of global operations for the social-media network.

Panier joined Bebo in January. Prior to that, he spent six years with Google, in senior finance and operations positions.

Panier will report to AOL Ventures executive VP Jon Brod.

Brod said:

Stephane is a proven strategist and operator with executive experience from some of the world's leading brands and businesses. He is the ideal leader to build on Bebo's existing successes, to chart a course for its future and to execute against that vision.

Panier added:

The past nine months have seen us create and deliver a more relevant and open social experience for our users across both new and existing markets, and I look forward to building on this foundation. We have a strong and talented team and, as we advance, we will continue to concentrate our efforts on delighting users and carving out our place as a market leader.