Leading Twitter into the Future: An Interview with Linda Yaccarino, Possible New CEO

Welcome to the blog interview with Linda Yaccarino, Chairman of Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal. Linda oversees all aspects of NBCUniversal’s ad sales and partnerships, including the company’s linear and digital advertising business. She has been named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in Business and was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 2017.

Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Linda. First, please tell us a little about your background and experience in the tech industry.

Linda Yaccarino: Thank you for having me. I’ve been in the media and advertising industry for over 30 years, working with companies like NBCUniversal and Turner Broadcasting. In my most recent role as Chairman of Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, I led the company’s advertising sales and client partnerships efforts across all platforms. I’ve also been involved in the tech industry through my work with companies like Hulu and Peacock, so I have much experience in traditional and digital media.

Interviewer: Twitter is looking for a new CEO. What are the biggest challenges facing Twitter right now, and how would you address them?

Linda Yaccarino: One of the biggest challenges facing Twitter is continuing to grow and innovate while maintaining its core values and mission. Twitter has always been a platform for people to express themselves and connect with others, which needs to be preserved. At the same time, there are opportunities to expand and improve the platform in areas like monetization, content moderation, and user engagement. I would work closely with the team at Twitter to identify these opportunities and prioritize them based on what’s most important for the company and its users.

Interviewer: How do you see the role of social media in society, and what responsibility do companies like Twitter have in shaping that role?

Linda Yaccarino: social media has the potential to be a powerful force for good in society, but it’s also clear that it can have adverse effects if it’s not used responsibly. Companies like Twitter are responsible for ensuring that their platforms are being used in a way that promotes healthy discourse and constructive dialogue while protecting users from harmful content and abusive behavior. That’s a difficult balance to strike, but it’s critically important for the future of social media.

Interviewer: Twitter has faced criticism for handling misinformation and hate speech on the platform. How would you approach content moderation on Twitter?

Linda Yaccarino: Content moderation is complex, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. However, transparency and consistency are key. Twitter needs to be clear about what types of content are and is not allowed on the platform, and it needs to enforce those policies consistently and fairly. It’s also essential to involve the community in moderation to ensure users have a voice in shaping the platform’s policies and practices.

Interviewer: What do you think sets you apart from other candidates for the Twitter CEO role?

Linda Yaccarino: My experience in traditional and digital media gives me a unique perspective on the challenges facing Twitter and the broader media industry. I’ve also had much experience leading large teams and managing complex businesses, which would be valuable in a CEO role. Finally, I’m passionate about the power of media and technology to bring people together and drive positive change. Twitter has a huge role to play in that mission.