Former AOL Exec Jumps To High-Tech Investment Firm

A former AOL exec credited with helping land the company’s Google search deal has accepted a job with Velocity Interactive Group. Jorge Espinel will head up Velocity’s digital publishing, video, social media, games, and advertising efforts in his new role as investment partner.

Espinel served as head of corporate strategy at AOL. Under his watch, AOL acquired a slew of companies, including Advertising.com, AdTech, Truveo, and Third Screen Media. He was considered a “key” negotiator in the aforementioned Google agreement, which was finalized in 2006.

Velocity works out of Silicon Valley as well as Los Angeles, New York, India, and China. It funds various technology-related ventures in the field of digital media and communications, including startups such as MixerCast, Ad Infuse, and Radar Networks.