Joey Simhon has been appointed to replace Roi Tiger as manager of Facebook's Israeli R&D center. Simhon is responsible for the team developing Facebook Lite, a special version of Facebook designed mainly for users in developing countries. Facebook Lite is a more basic version of the social network designed for surfers with non-smartphones and those with slow Internet hookups. More than 100 million people use this Facebook version, and the segment is growing.
Facebook's Israel R&D center is based on the acquisition of Onavo. Facebook acquired the startup in 2013 for $150 million, and appointed Roi Tiger to manage the R&D center, which now has over 80 employees. Tiger is being appointed to a managerial position in Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California.
Commenting on his new appointment, Simhon said, "Since I joined Facebook, I've been exposed to the company's unique DNA and culture, and I'm glad to take up this position, continue the office's growth, and enhance its influence. There's no greater satisfaction than working with such an excellent and talented group of people. We'll continue working on important projects, together with the Facebook engineering teams around the world, affecting the lives of over 1.6 billion people."
Tiger said, "The team in Tel Aviv attained stunning and very influential achievements in a little more than two years, and I'm waiting eagerly to see what they will do next. In this short time I've worked with Joey, I saw his contribution in leading Facebook Lite. Joey is the right person to go forward with building the group and taking on new projects, while maintaining our strong connection with Menlo Park and the other offices around the world."
Facebook yesterday held a hackathon in the framework of Gay Pride Week, in which ads were produced with alternative presentations for families, including families with two fathers or two mothers.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 1, 2016
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