Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Twitter co-founder steps down as CEO
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Twitter co-founder steps down as CEO
AFP - Tuesday, October 5
Send
IM Story
Print
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - – Twitter co-founder Evan Williams stepped down Monday as chief executive, handing over to a Google veteran brought in last year to help the micro-blogging service make money.
Williams, in a post on the company blog, said Twitter's chief operating officer, Dick Costolo, would take over as CEO of the San Francisco-based startup effective immediately.
Costolo, whose Web content distribution company Feedburner was purchased by Google in 2007, has been at the forefront of efforts to begin monetizing Twitter since he joined the company last year.
Williams said he planned to focus on product strategy.
"I am most satisfied while pushing product direction," he said. "Building things is my passion, and I've never been more excited or optimistic about what we have to build.
"This is why I have decided to ask our COO, Dick Costolo, to become Twitter's CEO," he said. "Starting today, I'll be completely focused on product strategy."
Williams said Costolo has been a "critical leader in devising and executing our revenue efforts, while simultaneously and effectively making the trains run on time in the office.
"Given Dick's track record as a three-time successful CEO, Im confident we can make this a smooth transition," he said.
Twitter, which allows users to fire off messages of 140 characters or less known as "tweets," has enjoyed skyrocketing popularity since it was launched in 2006 by Williams, Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone.
Williams said Twitter now employs around 300 people, up from 20 when he took over as CEO from Dorsey two years ago. Dorsey is presently Twitter's chairman while Stone serves as "creative director."
"In those same two years, we grew from three million registered users to more than 160 million today," Williams said. "By all accounts Twitter is on a roll. We've redesigned our website to great user feedback.
"Our user and usage numbers are growing at a rapid clip all around the world," he said. "We've launched an early, but successful, monetization effort."
The Twitter co-founder added that "growing big is not success, in itself.
"Success to us means meeting our potential as a profitable company that can retain its culture and user focus while having a positive impact on the world," he said.
Williams' departure comes just three weeks after Twitter unveiled an overhauled website that lets people more easily sift through the growing mountain of micro-messages and creates more opportunity for advertising.
Twitter's "Promoted Tweets" advertising service allows companies and others to place "tweets" at the top of a page of search results.
Dan Frommer of Silicon Valley technology blog BusinessInsider.com said Williams had done a good job scaling up the company and it was "time to use Twitter's hit product and huge audience to print cash."
"It's clearly Dick Costolo's job now to turn Twitter into a real business, judged by the amount of revenue it can generate, not just the amount of tweets it can generate," he said. "And it's obvious that he's a better man for that job than Williams is."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
French take to barricades over Internet piracy law AFP - 1 hour 25 minutes ago
US-TECH Summary Reuters - 1 hour 41 minutes ago
Google has content deals with media/internet firms Reuters - 1 hour 41 minutes ago
DoCoMo to launch Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet this year Reuters - Tuesday, October 5
Skype names senior Cisco exec Bates as CEO Reuters - Tuesday, October 5
News Search
Top Stories
Moody's considers possible downgrade of Irish debt
Doctors fueled US starlet's drug addiction
US deficit is 'real and growing' threat: Bernanke
British comedy actor Norman Wisdom dies aged 95
French rogue trader Kerviel faces verdict
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search EnginesLatest development in the online world
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Iraq oil reserves overtake Iran
Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas
Top economist warns of European 'wave of austerity'
Europe seeks closer role with Asia giants
Big Swiss banks 'must face tougher capital hurdle'
More Most Viewed »
US state executes first woman in nearly 100 years
Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 5 October 2010 Afghan attacks kill five NATO soldiers
US-TECH Summary
Drone strike kills 8 Germans in northwest Pakistan
|
U.S. views sought in Iraqi contractor torture case
Hard drive makers face challenge from tablets
Afghan civil leaders slam Karzai's peace council
|
Taliban claim deadly NATO tanker blaze in Pakistan
NY Times to pay back Carlos Slim loan early
U.N. council heads to Sudan amid fears new war looms
|
3 blasts kill at least 2 Afghan police in Kandahar
Study shows Israelis and Palestinians both retaliate
|
Survey Shows U.S. Teens More Conscious of Safe-Sex
Chinese Monopoly On Rare Earth Metals Challenged
France launches warnings to web pirates
Philadelphia Duck Boats To Resume Operations Despite Deaths
Drone strike kills 8 Germans in northwest Pakistan
Israel orders pro-Palestinian Nobel laureate deported
|
Facebook Co-Founder Mark Zuckerberg Lends Voice On "The Simpsons"
Japan to plead its case on islands at ASEM summit
Music Boss Tommy Mottola To Pen Memoir
4 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan's south, east
China's Wen urges stability of major currencies
Suspect In Boston Murders To Appear In Court
Emma Stone Rumored To Take On Role Of Spider-Man's Mary Jane Watson
Twitter COO Costolo replaces co-founder as CEO
|
Japan's leadership woes hinder reforms: OECD
3 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan's south, east
Hard drive makers face challenge from tablets
|
Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber nearing 1 billion YouTube views
|
Venice mayor mocks billboard critics
'Desirable' 38M dlr pink diamond up for auction
Google announces content partners for 'Google TV'
Condom-use common among US teens, rare for old folk: study
Beer record smashed at Munich fest's 200th birthday
US drone strike kills Germans in Pakistan: officials
Viktor Bout extradition stalled by Thai ruling
Summer comes to Paris with Ungaro garden party
Viktor Bout wears flak jacket to Bangkok court
John Lennon 70th Birthday Events
|
Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z big winners at BET Awards
|
Die Hard director John McTiernan gets year in prison
|
Wynton Marsalis in Cuba to bring people together
|
Largest Avedon photograph auction set for Paris
|
Report: AIG to sell India mutual fund business
No 'adjustments' needed on war fronts: Obama
British comedy actor Norman Wisdom dies aged 95
French take to barricades over Internet piracy law
Rousseff favored in Brazil runoff
|
Egypt-Iran flights to resume after 30 year break
Car bomb explodes outside N. Ireland shopping centre
Doctors fueled US starlet's drug addiction
French rogue trader Kerviel faces verdict
US deficit is 'real and growing' threat: Bernanke
Can an election of generals help reform Myanmar?
|
Google has content deals with media/internet firms
Blasts kill 4 NATO troops, up to 4 Afghan police
Japan and China agree to improve ties despite row
|
Europe on alert after attacks warning
Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas
DoCoMo to launch Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet this year
White House Downplays European Travel Warning Threat
Egypt-Iran flights to resume after 30 year break
|
Video Details How Stuxnet Worm Can Blow Up Power Plant
Skype names senior Cisco exec Bates as CEO
Stocks Tumble As Microsoft, Macys Downgraded
Corrected: Bosnia vote points to deadlock on ethnic lines
|
4 NATO troops, Afghan policemen die in Afghanistan
Ecuador raises military wages after police revolt
|
California AG Sues 8 Car Washes For Unpaid Wages
T-Mobile USA to offer new Microsoft phones
Kashmiri Hindus Demonstrate Against Indian Government
Car bomb explodes in Northern Ireland: police
|
Supreme Court Faces Controversial Cases as New Term Starts
Cisco executive taking over as Skype CEO
Twitter co-founder steps down as CEO
N.Korea restores facilities at nuclear reactor
Hollywood festival to honor Sylvester Stallone
DoCoMo to launch Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet this year
Indonesian flood toll rises to 26
T-Mobile USA to offer new Microsoft phones
"Die Hard" director John McTiernan gets year in prison
Mexico police search for US tourist after shooting
Japan and China agree to improve ties despite row
Sparse crowds dog Delhi Games, as Aussies dominate
China, Japan leaders agree to improve ties
US drone strike kills Germans in Pakistan terror zone
Terrorism alert tips U.S. hand, but just barely
N.Zealand broadcaster suspended over race comments
US drone strike kills Germans in Pakistan: officials
Google has content deals with media/internet firms
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Viktor Bout extradition stalled by Thai ruling
T-Mobile USA to offer new Microsoft phones
|
Flash floods in eastern Indonesia kill at least 26
Return of "Deadliest Catch" trio still uncertain
Skype names senior Cisco exec Bates as CEO
|
Yves Saint Laurent brings sexy back for Spring 2011
Samsung plans to launch tablet globally this year
|
Facebook film paints harsh portrait of Zuckerberg
Canada MPs get a whiff of a spliff
Verizon Wireless to pay refunds for billing errors
|
'Social Network' scores box-office success
Zack Snyder at helm of new Superman movie
Bruno Mars strikes out on his own with "Doo-Wops"
Taiwan Formosa says No.2 naphtha cracker to shut Tues
Seoul shares flat;techs down, Lotte Samkang gains
Detroit musicians strike days before new season
Indonesia wraps up Australia drug smuggler hearing
Bank of Japan adopts zero-interest rate policy
Japan to demand China resume rare earth shipments
S.Korea warns of more limits on FX forward trading
PAKISTAN
Taiwan dollar rises, but gains seen pared by c.bank, won
Defiant Beijing facing more pressure on yuan
Seoul shares take breather; techs, banks fall
Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber nearing 1 billion YouTube views
|
RPT-PREVIEW-Taiwan Sept CPI seen rebounding to +0.41 pct
Crime doesn't pay for Keanu Reeves in spoof
|
Return of Deadliest Catch trio still uncertain
|
Zack Snyder at helm of new Superman movie
|
Bruno Mars strikes out on his own with Doo-Wops
|
Online critics pick 100 best, first films
|
Detroit musicians strike days before new season
|
Hollywood festival to honor Sylvester Stallone
|
Ex-trader Kerviel sentenced to 3 years in jail
|
French police arrest nine in terror probe
Wonder carbon pioneers win Nobel Physics Prize
Militants plan attacks on oil sea transport hubs: Russia
France holds 12 in Europe anti-terrorism operation
|
ECB soaks up cash to offset help through bond buying
Ally of ex-Moscow mayor 'charged with corruption'
Duo wins 2010 physics Nobel for super-thin carbon
|
French rogue trader Kerviel guilty of breach of trust
Florida Man Kills 1, Wounds 5 In Shooting Spree
Verizon Under Investigation by FCC, Agrees To Issue 15 Million Customer Refunds
Moody's considers possible downgrade of Irish debt
Dutch Christian Democrats back pact with Wilders
|
Feds: Federal Judge Bought Drugs For Stripper
Samsung plans to launch tablet globally this year
Police Investigate 2 Deaths In Florida Shooting
Nigeria leader's rival decries witch hunt over bombs
|
Doctors: Blacks Need To Start Hypertension Treatment Sooner
Europe terror alert fuelled by German militants
|
Thai court clears way for Viktor Bout extradition
Vatican keeps up attack on Nobel committee over IVF
|
Afghan election official arrested; vote tally delayed
|
Thai court drops case against Viktor Bout
Hungary declares emergency after red sludge spill
|
Thai court to rule on Viktor Bout extradition
Thai ruling brings Viktor Bout closer to US custody
Indonesian president postpones Dutch visit
Ke$ha says former manager acted as unlicensed agent
Thai court dismisses extra charges against Bout
Special report: The Pentagon's new cyber warriors
|
Microsoft CEO says will see Windows slates by Christmas
|
Philippines tells anthem crooners not to do it their way
UAE and BlackBerry users stick to device as deadline nears
|
Asian growth boosts Tesco profits
Suu Kyi sues Myanmar junta over party dissolution
Pakistani rupee gains vs dollar; stocks edge lower
Nokia MeeGo chief leaves ahead of key launch
|
Japan man apologises for killing British teacher
Taiwan to ask banks to report loans on land-sources
Hard drive makers face challenge from tablets
|
N.Korea, UN Command fail to agree on warship talks
Chinese movies dominate Asia's top film festival
S.Korea private bad bank to buy troubled loans
Samsung to launch smartphone, tablet PC in Japan
Slapstick British comedian Norman Wisdom dies at 95
|
$4 million Chagall painting sets new Asian record
|
Israeli orchestra set to play at Wagner festival
|
Ke$ha says former manager acted as unlicensed agent
|
Microsoft CEO says will see Windows slates by Christmas
Japan tech fair offers glimpse of future lifestyles
Apple faces $625 million fines over patents: report
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights