NEW YORK — NBCUniversal’s top advertising executive, Linda Yaccarino, is leaving the company, effective immediately. Yaccarino (pictured) is set to become the new CEO of social network Twitter in San Francisco.
Mark Marshall, currently President, Advertising Sales and Client Partnerships, will become interim Chairman of NBCUniversal’s Advertising and Partnerships group, reporting to Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.
Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, announced in a tweet he is stepping down as CEO and confirmed the hire of Yaccarino.
I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter!@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology.
Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app. https://t.co/TiSJtTWuky
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023
Yaccarino had been Chairman, Global Advertising and Partnerships for NBCUniversal for the past two years. She is a 1985 graduate of Penn State University.
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation said, “We are grateful for Linda Yaccarino’s leadership of NBCUniversal’s Advertising Sales business, and for the innovative team and platform she has built. Linda has made countless contributions to the company during her twelve year tenure, and we wish her the best.”
Linda Yaccarino said, “It has been an absolute honor to be part of Comcast NBCUniversal and lead the most incredible team. We’ve transformed our company and the entire industry—and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and grateful to my colleagues and mentors, especially Brian Roberts, Mike Cavanagh and the entire NBCU leadership team.”
Mark Lazarus was named Chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming in May 2020. In this role, Lazarus is responsible for the company’s television networks – NBC, Telemundo, USA Network, SYFY, Bravo, Oxygen True Crime, E!, Universal Kids, and international networks. He also oversees the company’s Direct to Consumer businesses, including Peacock, as well as NBC Sports Group, owned television stations, and NBC affiliate relations. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Lazarus was President of Media and Marketing at CSE, and previously served as President of Turner Entertainment Group from 2003 to 2008, where he oversaw all aspects of Turner Entertainment Networks, including advertising sales. Previously, he served as President of Turner Sports from 1999 to 2003.
Mark Marshall was named President, Advertising Sales and Partnerships, NBCUniversal, in 2018. In this role, Marshall has strategic oversight of all advertising sales initiatives for NBCUniversal’s NBC Broadcast Entertainment, NBC Sports, advanced advertising sales and client partnerships.
