Elon Musk Announces Linda Yaccarino as New CEO of Twitter, Outlines Future Vision
In a recent Twitter announcement, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, revealed that Linda Yaccarino will be the new Chief Executive Officer of Twitter. Musk expressed his excitement about the appointment and outlined the division of responsibilities between himself and Yaccarino.
As the new CEO, Yaccarino will primarily focus on the business operations of the platform, while Musk will shift his attention to product design and the exploration of new technologies. Together, they aim to transform Twitter into an all-encompassing platform known as “X, the everything app.”
Earlier, in a separate tweet, Musk had shared his anticipation of hiring a new CEO for X/Twitter, with the transition set to occur in approximately six weeks. Once the handover takes place, Musk will assume the position of Executive Chair and Chief Technical Officer (CTO). In this role, he will oversee product development, software initiatives, and system operations.
I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology.
Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app. https://t.co/TiSJtTWuky
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023
The strategic move reflects Musk’s commitment to driving innovation and advancing the capabilities of Twitter. With Yaccarino at the helm and Musk’s continued involvement, the platform is poised for transformative changes and exciting developments in the near future.
Linda Yaccarino
Linda Yaccarino is a prominent figure in the media and advertising industry, known for her significant contributions to shaping the economic and technological infrastructure of the premium video ecosystem. She is an accomplished business executive and currently serves as Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal.
Born and raised in the United States, Linda Yaccarino attended Penn State University, where she pursued a degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Telecommunications. She graduated in 1985, laying the foundation for her future career in the media industry.
Yaccarino began her professional journey in the advertising field and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1992, she joined Turner Broadcasting System, Inc (now Turner) as the Executive Vice President/COO of Advertising Sales, Marketing, and Acquisitions. During her 19-year tenure at Turner, she demonstrated her expertise in performance measurement, entertainment, consumer insight, organizational culture, operations management, mobile technology, and marketing.
In 2011, Yaccarino joined NBCUniversal as President of Cable Entertainment and Digital Advertising Sales. Her exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision led to her subsequent promotion to Chairman of Advertising and Client Partnerships in 2012, and later to her current role as Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships in October 2020.
As Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, Yaccarino oversees all aspects of advertising, partnerships, marketing, ad tech, data, measurement, commerce, and strategic initiatives across the company’s global networks, properties, and business units. Her responsibilities include stewarding and monetizing NBCUniversal’s industry-leading portfolio of linear networks, digital and streaming platforms, distribution and commerce partnerships, and client relationships.
Under Yaccarino’s leadership, her team at NBCUniversal has generated over $100 billion in ad sales and expanded the company’s global reach. She has forged groundbreaking commercial partnerships, launched the company’s ad-supported streaming service, and made substantial investments in data and technology capabilities. Her innovative approach to operationalizing at scale resulted in the development of NBCUniversal’s One Platform, a unified, tech-enabled trading system that revolutionized how sales teams operate in the marketplace.
Yaccarino’s commitment to driving impact and fostering collaboration extends beyond her professional achievements. She is recognized as a sought-after connector, collaborator, and counselor, both within the industry and within her company. Yaccarino has a proven track record of convening partners to investigate better measurement practices, hosting industry-leading media and technology developer conferences, and advocating for social causes. As Chair of the Ad Council, she rallied support from the business community, the White House, and government agencies to create a vaccination campaign that reached over 200 million Americans and featured prominent figures like Pope Francis.
Throughout her career, Linda Yaccarino has received numerous accolades and recognition for her outstanding contributions to the industry. She has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Matrix Award, Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, Inclusive Leader Award, Mac Dane Award for Humanitarian Excellence, and has been named in several notable lists including the Top 10 People Transforming Advertising, Top 100 People Transforming Business, and Ten Most Powerful Women in TV.
Yaccarino’s accomplishments and leadership have set new standards in the marketplace, making her a role model and inspiration to many aspiring professionals in the media and advertising industry. With her decades of experience, operational prowess, and dedication to driving positive change, Linda Yaccarino continues to shape the future of the premium video ecosystem and make a lasting impact in her field.