Facebook Hires Pinterest Exec Mike Bidgoli to Lead Watch Video Product Team

Facebook’s Watch has a new product leader: Mike Bidgoli, previously advertising product lead at photo-sharing service Pinterest.At Facebook, Bidgoli has been named head of product for Facebook Watch, the social giant’s new platform for episodic shows and live programming. Part of Facebook’s philosophy with Watch is to foster content that will engender new community based discussion and interaction — as well as drive up video-viewing time on Facebook and sell premium advertising.“Facebook Watch is a challenging and ambitious attempt to solve a problem that personally and professionally captivates me,” Bidgoli wrote in a Medium post. With more opportunities than ever for creators to distribute content, “Facebook will play a huge part in unlocking this creative energy and connecting creators with their fan communities.”