Social networking behemoth Facebook this morning announced the appointment of a new general manager of its Israeli operations, as reported by various local media (both in Hebrew and English).
Later this month, business woman and occasional angel investor Adi Soffer Teeni will take the reins of Facebook's extensive and growing Israeli operations.
Soffer Teeni is the chairman of venture capital-backed Ginger Software, an English grammar and spelling software company, and was previously managing director of gaming site 888.com and chief exec of private education company Kidum Group.
She will tasked with building up the Ramat Gan-based Facebook Israel team, which will coordinate with staff in Dublin, Ireland, and expanding the company's commercial activities in the country.
Facebook has made a number of acquisitions in Israel in the past, including Onavo for a reported $120 million, Face.com for a reported $55m-$60 million and Snaptu for $70 million.
In a statement, Facebook's regional director for CEE, Middle East and Africa Diego Oliva said:
"Facebook already enjoys a close relationship with many Israeli companies and startups. The recent acquisition of Onavo, the opening of our Israel office and now the appointment of Adi as General Manager shows that our commitment to the country is stronger than ever."
Facebook said that 3.9 million Israelis currently use the social network every month. Of those, 2.8 million use Facebook every day (the large majority of which from their mobile devices).
Soffer Teeni had little to say about her appointment, apart from this soundbite:
"Having spent so much of my life working with consumer-facing companies, I have seen first-hand the positive impact that Facebook can have on growth, enabling them to reach precisely the audience they need to target whether that is at home or abroad."
Aside from the operational and leadership experience under Soffer Teeni's belt, she's also an active angel investor, having backed the likes of Zula, Habaitta.com and Ekoloko.com.
Hat tip to Hillel Fuld.
Featured image credit: Ruslan Everst / Shutterstock
