Wikia Appoints Gil Penchina as CEO to Drive Expansion and Growth

Strategic Insights -

Wikia, the leading site for community-based wikis, has announced the appointment of Gil Penchina as its new chief executive officer. Penchina, an eight-year veteran of eBay, brings a deep understanding of consumer internet business and a respect for the power of human online communities to the role. As CEO, Penchina will be responsible for guiding Wikia through its explosive growth phase, enhancing its online community offerings, and expanding the company's presence in the market. Penchina's experience at eBay, where he held various executive positions, including regional VP roles in Europe and Asia, and as a general manager in the US, has given him a unique understanding of the key ingredients for online community success.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gil Penchina, an eight-year veteran of eBay, has joined Wikia as its new chief executive officer, bringing a deep understanding of consumer internet business and a respect for the power of human online communities.
  • Penchina's experience at eBay includes various executive positions, including regional VP roles in Europe and Asia, and as a general manager in the US.
  • As CEO, Penchina will be responsible for guiding Wikia through its explosive growth phase, enhancing its online community offerings, and expanding the company's presence in the market.
  • Wikia has over 1,200 communities, with over 20,000 registered users, and hosts some of the world's largest wikis outside of Wikipedia, including fan sites for Lost and Star Wars.
  • The company enables groups to share information, news, stories, media, and opinions that fall outside the scope of an encyclopedia.
  • Wikia is committed to openness, inviting anyone to contribute web content, and retains authors' copyrights, allowing others to freely reuse their content under the GNU Free Documentation License.
  • Penchina's leadership and vision are expected to bring new growth and success to Wikia, its employees, customers, and online communities.
  • Jimmy Wales and Angela Beesley launched Wikia in 2004 to provide community-based wikis inspired by the model of Wikipedia.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,200 wikis have been created on Wikia.
  • Over 20,000 users are registered on Wikia.
  • Wikia has wikis available in over 40 languages.
  • The company hosts some of the world's largest wikis outside of Wikipedia, including fan sites for Lost and Star Wars.
  • Wikia is committed to openness, with over 20,000 registered users contributing to the platform.

Sources:

  • "Gil Penchina to Join Wikia as CEO," Wikia press release, June 5, 2007.
  • http://www.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Wikia
  • http://lost.wikia.com/
  • http://starwars.wikia.com/