Elon Musk’s New Twitter CEO is a World Economic Forum Member?

WLTR reported earlier Thursday on Elon Musk’s announcement on hiring a new CEO for Twitter (X).

Elon Musk Announces New Twitter CEO, She Starts In About 6 Weeks

Musk revealed that he hired a female CEO for the company.

“Excited to announce that I’ve hired a new CEO for X/Twitter. She will be starting in ~6 weeks!” Musk said.

“My role will transition to being exec chair & CTO, overseeing product, software & sysops.”

Excited to announce that I’ve hired a new CEO for X/Twitter. She will be starting in ~6 weeks!

My role will transition to being exec chair & CTO, overseeing product, software & sysops.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2023

While these reports remain unconfirmed, several media outlets suggested that Twitter’s soon-to-be CEO may be NBCUniversal’s Linda Yaccarino.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the developments.

Breaking: NBCUniversal’s Linda Yaccarino is in talks to become Twitter's CEO https://t.co/Od7p5v2xpw

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 11, 2023

BREAKING: Linda Yaccarino is in talks to become the new CEO of Twitter, according to people familiar with the situation.

– WSJ pic.twitter.com/KToHRCamos

— X Daily News (@xDaily) May 11, 2023

From The Wall Street Journal:

NBCUniversal’s head of advertising Linda Yaccarino is in talks to become the new CEO of Twitter, according to people familiar with the situation.

Ms. Yaccarino, chairman of global advertising and partnerships at NBCU, has been with NBCU for more than a decade, where she has been an industry advocate for finding better ways to measure the effectiveness of advertising. As head of NBCU’s advertising sales, she was key in the launch of the company’s ad-supported Peacock streaming service.

Deadline added:

Sources immediately reached by Deadline were surprised, to say the least, though a big sign appeared last month when Yaccarino and Musk appeared in a keynote conversation at a conference in Miami. NBCU and Twitter then inked a major ad pact for the 2024 Olympics, an announcement accompanied by bouquet tossing by NBCU, an odd contrast with the dozens of advertisers and media agency execs who had expressed skepticism about Twitter under Musk.

When contacted by Deadline about the potential news tonight, Yaccarino’s top NBCU communications deputy responded only that “Linda is in back to back rehearsals for the Upfront.”

And from The Verge:

I wish I could say with certainty that it’s her, though the deal doesn’t seem to be totally done. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that she’s “in talks” for the job, and Dylan Byers of Puck says Musk “plans” to give it to her. Unfortunately, her spokesperson is ghosting me and Twitter has resorted to responding to press inquiries with a poop emoji.

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I do know, however, that Yaccarino has been angling for the job and telling friends she wants it. The advertising world is certainly gossiping that it’s her. She recently hosted Musk at her “Possible” advertising conference in Miami for a gushing interview and has been tweeting up a storm, including about how excited she is for NBC to partner with Twitter for the next Olympics.

If these reports are true, is Elon Musk hiring someone with ties to the World Economic Forum?

Let’s take a look at Linda Yaccarino’s LinkedIn:

Yaccarino wrote a 2019 article for NBC Universal titled “Trust, Technology, and Transformation: 5 Thoughts from My Time at the World Economic Forum.”

“Committed to improving the state of the world.” It’s the tagline for the World Economic Forum, one of the most influential gatherings on the planet. While it seems like a lofty goal, after a week in Davos, it’s hard not to feel inspired to improve our respective corners of the world. And the truth is, we need to. With each new talk or conversation last week, it became increasingly clear: Transformation is happening—whether we like it or not.

So, as I trade in Swiss mountains for New York streets, here are five reflections I’m bringing home:

Wall Street Women Forum wrote:

Yaccarino serves as Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Taskforce on the Future of Work, the Chair of the Advertising Council’s Board of Directors.  She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Ascena Retail Group (ASNA).

https://twitter.com/realJustATheory/status/1656824321447440384

🚨#BREAKING: Elon Musk is allegedly in talks to name NBCUniversal Executive and top World Economic Forum (WEF) Official Linda Yaccarino as new Twitter CEO. pic.twitter.com/VmizU6ggzo

— DEL (@delinthecity_) May 12, 2023

Linda Yaccarino is the Chairman of the WEF's Taskforce on Future of Work.

Also sits on the WEF's Media, Entertainment and Culture Industry Governors Steering Committee. pic.twitter.com/PzpVTkJiiR

— National Conservative (@NatCon2022) May 12, 2023

Reports that Yaccarino will be Twitter’s future CEO remain unconfirmed.