Yaccarino: Twitter ‘often imitated’ but never duplicated
After the release of Threads, Yaccarino tweets that the Twitter community is “often imitated,” but never duplicated. Many Twitter users have taken to the platform to point out similarities between Threads and Twitter, with Zuckerberg himself even taking several shots at Twitter.
YOU built the Twitter community. And that’s irreplaceable…This is your public square. We’re often imitated — but the Twitter community can never be duplicated.
On Twitter, everyone's voice matters.
Whether you’re here to watch history unfold, discover REAL-TIME information all over the world, share your opinions, or learn about others — on Twitter YOU can be real.
YOU built the Twitter community. 🙏👏 And that's irreplaceable. This…
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) July 6, 2023
Yaccarino sends first memo to Twitter employees
Yaccarino sends her first communication to Twitter employees. In a 320-word memo, she writes that Twitter is “on a mission” to become a “global town square for communication” and says that the “success of Twitter 2.0 is all of our responsibility.” She also mentions thinking “big,” starting from “first principles,” and “building something new from the ground up.”
From space exploration to electric vehicles, Elon knew these industries needed transformation, so he did it. More recently it has become increasingly clear that the global town square needs transformation — to drive civilization forward through the unfiltered exchange of information and open dialogue about the things that matter most to us.
Hello Twitter.
People keep asking me: Why Twitter?
So, I’ll tell you. 👇— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) June 12, 2023
Twitter’s U.S. ad sales drop 59%
According to an internal presentation obtained by The New York Times, Twitter’s U.S. advertising revenue for the five weeks from April 1 to the first week of May was $88 million, down 59% from a year earlier. The document says the company has regularly fallen short of its U.S. weekly sales projections, sometimes by as much as 30 percent. The company has forecast that its U.S. ad revenue this month will be down at least 56 percent each week compared with a year ago, according to one internal document. Neither CEO Yaccarino nor Musk commented on the report.
According to staff interviews, Twitter’s ad sales staff is concerned that advertisers may be spooked by a rise in hate speech and pornography on the social network, as well as more ads featuring online gambling and marijuana products. In one week last month, four of Twitter’s top 10 U.S. advertisers were online gambling and fantasy sports betting companies, according to one presentation. Twitter has also started allowing ads for cannabis accessories, including “bongs, vapes, rolling paper,” as well as erectile dysfunction products and services, according to internal emails.
Former employees say some of Twitter’s biggest advertisers — including Apple, Amazon and Disney — have been spending less on the platform than last year, and that large specialized “banner” ads on Twitter’s trends page that can cost $500,000 for 24 hours and are almost always bought by large brands to promote events, shows or movies, are often going unfilled.
Senators ask Musk and Yaccarino about Twitter FTC violations
Four US senators send a letter to Musk and Yaccarino asking them whether the layoffs and resignations at Twitter have hindered its ability to comply with the company’s FTC obligations. The senators are examining Twitter’s privacy practices under Musk to determine whether consumer protection laws are being flouted. The letter – signed by Elizabeth Warren (D), Ron Wyden (D), Ed Markey (D), and Mazie Hirono (D) – cites Ella Irwin’s departure as the latest source of concern about Twitter’s compliance track record. It asks whether Twitter conducted a privacy and security assessment of Twitter Blue before rolling it out (according to its 2022 consent agreement, Twitter must perform such assessments “prior to implementing any new or modified product”) as well as whether the platform has maintained a comprehensive cybersecurity program to protect user data since Musk’s takeover. It also asks whether Twitter has met various reporting requirements, including obligations to report any significant data breaches to the authorities.
[P]ersonnel changes, firsthand accounts from employees, and hasty launch of new products raise questions about whether Twitter is able to comply with its obligations under the FTC consent decree.
Mr. Musk’s behavior reveals an apparent indifference towards Twitter’s longstanding legal obligations, which did not disappear when Mr. Musk took over the company.
Regardless of his personal wealth, Mr. Musk is not exempt from the law, and neither is the company he purchased. Twitter must meet the requirements it agreed to under the 2011 and 2022 FTC agreements.
The lawmakers want Twitter to respond by June 18.
Yaccarino praises Musk’s vision
In her first tweet since the announcement by Musk of her hire as Twitter CEO, Yaccarino praises Musk:
I’ve long been inspired by your vision to create a brighter future. I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!
I see I have some new followers👀…👋 I’m not as prolific as @elonmusk (yet!), but I’m just as committed to the future of this platform.
Your feedback is VITAL to that future. I’m here for all of it.
Let’s keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together!
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) May 13, 2023
Yaccarino hired as Twitter CEO
Musk announces that Yaccarino, who was previously head of advertising and partnerships for NBCUniversal, will take over from him as Twitter CEO.
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.
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
Musk: Twitter will not ‘shadow ban’ users
Responding to concerns from some Twitter users, Musk says the company’s next CEO will not “shadow ban” users (or discretely limit the visibility of their posts).
That will not be the case
His response comes before publicly naming his replacement.
That will not be the case
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023
Yaccarino interviews Musk
0 0 Mark Devlin Mark Devlin2023-05-12 17:33:372023-05-12 17:44:04Yaccarino interviews Musk
Appointed YMU Group chair
Yaccarino is appointed Group Chair of YMU talent management agency. Yaccarino:
We all know great talent when we see it. Whether it’s on stage, on the field, in front of and behind the camera, on every platform—you name it—epic performances stick with us. And for decades, I’ve supported top talent by growing global brands alongside premium content. The Group represents some of the most exciting, elite level talent in the global culture space who are supported by an unparalleled, industry leading team of global experts. I’m looking forward to working with Mary and the exceptional YMU team to support their continued growth of individual’s brands on a global scale.
Calls for broadcast industry to build ‘Culture of Service’
While hosting an event launching The98, an early-stage fund designed to provide resources for technology startups led by women, Yaccarino calls for the broadcast industry to build a culture of service. Yaccarino says service was ingrained in her early by her parents, who were both public servants.
As a mother and — I know this is very hard to believe — as a brand new grandmother, my job is to serve my family,“ she said. ”As an employee, my job is to serve the company and all of the people who depend on me. And as a leader, it’s easy to think that you’re now the person being served. But if you are lucky enough to be in a position of leadership, you’re actually in a better position to serve — your employees, your colleagues, your clients, your partners, your community…No matter who you are, or where you sit, it’s up to us to build this culture of service together.
On empathy:
I remember when empathy was considered a personality trait solely ascribed to female leaders — one that, I was told, more than once, ‘Linda, it’s going to hold you back. But now? It’s become one of the most sought-after traits for all leaders, because to really serve someone, you must understand what they are going through. And that takes work.
She says creating a culture of service requires the courage to act, even if it means personal and professional risk:
It takes courage to ask others to brave. Brave enough to extend your hand across the aisle, especially when everybody’s got their arms crossed. Because they can’t keep their arms crossed if they’re shaking your hand.
Conversation Nation interview
0 0 Mark Devlin Mark Devlin2023-05-12 20:28:172023-05-12 20:29:40Conversation Nation interview
Salesforce Connections interview
Yaccarino is interviewed for Salesforce Connections, where she talks about how opening up to her team invited their advice and support, and how being the only woman at the table was an opportunity to stand out.
MSNBC interview: Women in charge
Yaccarino is interviewed by Brzezinski, primarily about women’s role in business:
I think the tendency for women to [keep their heads down] stems generationally. If you were too aggressive as a woman, you [were seen as a too] ambitious woman, to the detriment of others. But for a man, you’re interpreted as a hard-charging executive and in the leadership club that deserves to be in the C-suite. So, I think women tend to play it safe because a lot of leadership qualities historically were looked upon negatively towards women.
Next In Marketing interview
For the Next In Marketing podcast, Yaccarino discusses NBCUniversals’ ambitions for its video service Peacock, and why she’s convinced advertising will play a vital role in the streaming wars. She also breaks down how marketers have been responding to the Covid-driven economic slowdown and what she thinks that will mean for the future of the TV upfront model.
Named Ad Council BOD chair
Yaccarino is named chair of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors. The role of rotates among representatives of four industry sectors: media companies, technology companies, ad agencies and advertisers, and was previosuly held by David Fischer, Chief Revenue Officer of Facebook, Yaccarino joined the Ad Council board in 2014 and became a member of the Executive Committee in 2015. She most recently was vice chair.
There are almost no words to express how proud I am to serve as Chair…The Ad Council shows us what’s possible when we combine the power of responsibility, creativity, credibility, and care for people. It’s an honor to join them in this new capacity.
NYWICI Matrix Honoree portrait
A selection of women from from NBC Nes, MSNBC and CNBC, including Julia Boorstin, Mika Brzezinski, Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, Sheinelle Jones, Hoda Kotb, Andrea Mitchell, Natalie Morales, Stephanie Ruhle, and Savannah Sellers discuss Yaccarino’s carrer and why she earned the Matrix Award from NYWICI. Brezinksi:
It’s our honor to present the 2020 Matrix Award to Linda Yaccarino
Yaccarino:
How can you follow something like that?…Honestly, I’m in complete awe. Every day in studios just like this one. The strongest women in news, by a mile, bring millions and millions of people the information that they need. They’re heroes in representing women in communication. It’s the career opportunity of a lifetime to work in this role, where I get to champion the work they do every day. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Future of Television fireside chat
Yaccarino is interviewed about the future of television, by NYWICI (New York Women in Communications, Inc) Immediate Past President Judith Harrison. The discussion includes section on workplace culture; diversity equity and education; and ‘doing well by doing good’.
Matrix Award winners’s advice
Yaccarino is interviewed for a profile on NYWICI Matrix Award winners. She empahsises the importance of diversifying skills.
Creative, technical, and interpersonal skills are important in our industry. But too often, people—and especially women—are reduced to one thing. So my advice is to build a skillset as multifaceted as you are. You must constantly broaden your mind, and refuse to stay in your lane. Stay curious and remain a lifetime student. Because I cannot stress this enough—turn to others around you for help and inspiration. We should rely on a lot of people: the trailblazers, mentors, peers who can we can listen to, learn from and form our own opinions.
Promoted to Chair Of Global Advertising & Partnerships
NBCUniversal promotes Yaccarino to chair, Global Advertising and Partnerships, adding data strategy, local and regional sports network sales and cross-company strategic initiatives to her portfolio, along with global and national sales. In a divisional memo, Shell says:
While there is no doubt we are a content and technology company at our core, we need to keep accelerating our business plans to define entertainment and build the future of advertising. With the addition of these strong teams and new initiatives, we’re expanding our offerings for clients while diversifying our business and creating new company-wide opportunities. We’re making the right investments to bring that future into focus.
She will continue to report directly to Jeff Shell, CEO, NBCUniversal, who says:
Linda has done a fantastic job moving the advertising business forward, not just for NBCUniversal, but the industry at large.I’m excited for her to continue architecting the future of the ad-supported ecosystem and uniting all assets of this company to make us the best possible partner for our customers around the world.
#ShesMy campaign launch
On International Day of the Girl, Yaccarino launches the #ShesMy campaign,
honoring the women of all ages who have supported, inspired, and championed us over the years. Because the amazing women in our lives are not one-dimensional, and deserve recognition for the many roles they play.
The campaign asks participants to share a picture of an ‘impactful woman in your life’ on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or LinkedIn, using the hashtag #ShesMy, with a description of their meaning to the sharer, and to nominate others to recognize special women in their lives.