NBCUniversal’s Chief Advertising Officer, Linda Yaccarino, has announced her resignation from the company amidst talks of her potential appointment as the CEO of Twitter.
CNBC’s Julia Boorstin provided the latest update on this development during a segment of “Squawk on the Street.”
Yaccarino’s departure from NBCUniversal marks the end of her 12-year tenure with the company.
She will be succeeded by Mark Marchal, who will assume the role of Global Advertising and Partnerships under the supervision of Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBC Universal Television and Streaming.
The official announcement by NBC Universal expressed gratitude for Yaccarino’s contributions during her time with the company.
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast, the parent company of CNBC, acknowledged her accomplishments and wished her well in future endeavors.
Yaccarino, on her part, expressed her honor in being part of the team and their joint achievements.
While it is expected that Yaccarino will assume the position of CEO at Twitter, an official announcement is still pending.
Her recent appearance at a conference alongside Elon Musk has sparked speculations about their potential collaboration.
The exact timeline of her transition to Twitter remains uncertain, with Musk’s tweet suggesting a six-week period, though it might happen sooner.
Yaccarino’s departure comes ahead of the crucial upfront ad sales period, a significant time for the entire media industry.
It raises questions about who will lead the important upcoming presentation scheduled for Monday morning in Manhattan.
Mark Marchal and the rest of Yaccarino’s team are expected to take charge in her absence.
The presentation leads up to the Cannes Advertising Festival in June, where deals with advertisers are typically finalized.
One of the outstanding queries is whether Yaccarino will represent Twitter at the Cannes Advertising Festival.
Additionally, the industry is curious to see what her leadership will bring to Twitter and the company’s future direction.
During the discussion, it was revealed that Lazarus would handle the brief presentation at the upfronts, while Yaccarino would take some time off before joining Twitter.
This break may last up to six weeks, ensuring she doesn’t overlap her responsibilities at NBC with her new role at Twitter.
However, Mark Marchal, who has closely collaborated with Yaccarino over the years, is expected to have a presence during the upcoming presentation.
This event serves as an opportunity for NBCUniversal to showcase its content, advertising, and targeting capabilities, highlighting the collective efforts of the team rather than a single individual.
Yaccarino’s resignation marks a significant transition for both her and the companies involved.
As the industry eagerly awaits further announcements, the focus remains on Yaccarino’s future role at Twitter and the impact she will have on the social media platform.
