
Shields, having joined Bebo as president 18 months ago, will report to AOL president and chief operating officer, Ron Grant.
AOL and Bebo will also start to share content. Bebo will start offering AOL's music and entertainment services while AOL will promote Bebo's content such as online dramas KateModern and The Gap Year.
In a separate development, brands including Sony PSP, Doritos and the Royal Air Force have signed up to sponsor Bebo's The Gap Year.
Acuvue, Canon, Doritos, STA Travel, Tourism Australia and Trident have also paid to sponsor the series, which debuts on 21 May.