Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X, the social media platform previously referred to as Twitter, after two years within the position. She joined the corporate shortly after Elon Musk acquired it for $44 billion in 2022 and has since led X by income downturns and repeated reputational crises. Yaccarino introduced her resignation in a submit on X immediately (July 9). Calling the job “the chance of a lifetime,” she praised Musk for “entrusting me with the accountability of defending free speech, turning the corporate round, and reworking X into the Every part App.” Musk thanked Yaccarino for her work in a quick reply.
Yaccarino’s tenure was outlined largely by efforts to revive promoting income. Following Musk’s takeover, the platform suffered a pointy decline in advert gross sales on account of modifications in content material moderation and platform coverage. At one level, X filed a lawsuit in opposition to an promoting business coalition, accusing it of organizing an advert boycott.
She additionally navigated the corporate by various crises. Most not too long ago, X got here below fireplace after its official account posted antisemitic remarks generated by Grok, an A.I. chatbot developed by Musk’s startup xAI. In April, xAI acquired X in an all-stock deal that valued the platform at $33 billion.
In the meantime, person dissatisfaction has grown amid Musk’s growing political involvement with the Trump administration, main tens of millions emigrate to different platforms like Bluesky.
Earlier than becoming a member of X, Yaccarino spent roughly a decade at NBCUniversal, most not too long ago as chairman of worldwide promoting and partnerships. She left that place in Could 2023 to affix X. “I’m extremely happy with the X workforce—the historic enterprise turnaround we have now achieved collectively has been nothing in need of outstanding,” stated Yaccarino. “I’ll be cheering you all on as you proceed to alter the world.”