Peter Gabriel's Human Rights NGO Appoints Digital Media Corporate Executive as Director

NEW YORK, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Board of Directors of WITNESS (www.witness.org), the international human rights organization co-founded by musician and activist Peter Gabriel, announced the appointment of Yvette J. Alberdingk Thijm as Executive Director.

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Alberdingk Thijm is an attorney with nearly two decades of experience in media and new technology. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President of Content Strategy & Acquisition at Joost, the global online video platform formed by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, the founders of Skype and Kazaa. Prior to joining Joost, Alberdingk Thijm was Executive Vice President of Business Affairs for MTV Networks International (MTVNI), where she oversaw business affairs for all of its branded businesses and channels worldwide (outside the United States), including digital media initiatives, audiovisual co-productions, new business development, strategic partnerships and joint ventures.

'Yvette is an exceptional individual, with extraordinary talent, vision and energy who will be a tremendous addition to WITNESS,' said co-founder Gabriel. 'The Board has known Yvette for a number of years and is thrilled that she will be formalizing her role with WITNESS in this way. Her expertise and experience will ensure that WITNESS remains at the forefront of harnessing the potential of visual media and online technologies to catalyze social change.'

Alberdingk Thijm first became involved with WITNESS' work in 2005, as a member of its Board of Directors. As a result, she played a key role in defining the strategic direction of WITNESS' most recent initiative, the Hub, an online video community focused on human rights, where you can upload, watch and share videos, and participate in actions to end abuses.

'I am delighted to join this incredible organization,' said Alberdingk Thijm. 'I look forward to working closely with WITNESS' staff, Board, and partners to fulfill our vision for a just and equitable world where all individuals and communities are able to defend and uphold human rights.'

Alberdingk Thijm will begin her new role at WITNESS on August 1, 2008.

Founded in 1992, WITNESS uses video and online technologies to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. WITNESS empowers people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change. For more information, please visit http://www.witness.org.

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(Source: PR Newswire )