As part of his new mandate, Garlinghouse will report directly to company CEO Tim Armstrong and will spearhead AOL‘s global efforts to expand the reach of its e-mail and instant messaging.

Garlinghouse will also take on an expanded leadership position as head of AOL‘s Silicon Valley operations in Mountain View c and serve as the West Coast lead for AOL Ventures, the company‘s venture capital arm.

Says Armstrong, "In addition to leading our efforts to grow our communications products, Brad will be bringing his global leadership and business experience as a key member of our company‘s executive leadership team. He will also be a major force for AOL in Silicon Valley, working to expand our presence there and in the tech community in general."

Garlinghouse was most recently an advisor at venture capital firm Silver Lake Partners. before which he swas with Yahoo where he oversaw the Internet company‘s communications and community products.

Garlinghouse says, "It‘s a tremendous opportunity to join AOL at this pivotal moment in its history. Tim has set out a clear strategy and vision for where he is taking this company as it becomes independent again. I‘m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the team to realise that vision."