Linda Yaccarino Struggles in Code Conference Interview, Undermined by Elon Musk

Linda Yaccarino's Challenging Start as X CEO

Linda Yaccarino, former NBCUniversal advertising executive, recently took on the role of CEO at X, reporting directly to Elon Musk. However, during her appearance at the Code Conference in California, Yaccarino faced difficult questions about the platform and seemed to be undermined by Musk.

The Unveiling of a CEO Struggling to Lead

Yaccarino's interview with CNBC's Julia Boorstin was meant to be an opportunity for her to present her vision for X, a company that has faced challenges under Musk's ownership, including advertisers leaving the platform, a questionable rebrand, and various technology and safety issues. Instead, the interview revealed a CEO who seemed to lack a full grasp of the company.

Questioning the Future of X

During the interview, Boorstin asked whether Musk was serious about charging all users a fee to use X. Yaccarino hesitated before asking for clarification, further demonstrating her lack of knowledge. When Boorstin repeated the question, Yaccarino failed to provide a clear answer. This ambiguity raised concerns about Yaccarino's involvement in key decision-making processes.

Contradictory Claims and Dubious Figures

Yaccarino made contradictory claims during the interview. She stated that 90% of the top 100 advertisers who had left the platform had returned in the past twelve weeks alone, and that user engagement had increased since June. However, external analysis from data companies suggested otherwise, with many blue-chip brands slashing their ad spend on Twitter.

When asked about X's daily active user numbers, Yaccarino could only provide estimates, indicating her lack of specific knowledge. She mentioned figures from 200 million to 250 million daily active users, but followed up with a vague remark of "something like that." Additionally, she claimed that X had 540 million monthly active users, which raises further doubts about the accuracy of her statements.

Perception of Yaccarino as a Figurehead

The interview highlighted the perception that Yaccarino may merely be a figurehead CEO. Boorstin pointed out that X's product team reports to Musk, similar to how Meta's product team reports to Mark Zuckerberg. Yaccarino's response, rather than asserting her leadership, acknowledged Musk's authority and praised his technological expertise. This further reinforced the notion that Yaccarino may not be fully in control of the company.

Missteps and Disconnected Responses

Yaccarino's responses to questions on serious topics such as platform safety were occasionally seen as bizarre. Audience members noted the disconnect between her and important matters. Her remarks regarding Yoel Roth, the former head of trust and safety at Twitter, further illustrated this disconnect. Yaccarino claimed not to know Roth, despite him being a surprise guest. This contradiction revealed a lack of preparation and knowledge on her part.

A Call for Performance and Preparedness

These missteps and fumbles during the interview highlighted the significant disconnect between Yaccarino and Musk. Critics argue that as the CEO, Yaccarino should be able to handle pressure and have key facts and figures readily available. They believe that her lack of preparedness indicates a failure to fulfill her responsibilities as the company's leader.

Insider reached out to Yaccarino and X for comment but received no immediate response.

Read the original article on Business Insider.

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By: kteo@insider.com (Kai Xiang Teo,Hasan Chowdhury,Shona Ghosh)
Title: Linda Yaccarino Struggles in Code Conference Interview, Undermined by Elon Musk
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/x-ceo-linda-yaccarino-defensive-during-code-conference-interview-twitter-2023-9
Published Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:17:22 +0000