Linda Yaccarino recently made headlines by announcing her departure as CEO of X on July 9, 2025. However, her professional journey began long before she entered the tech industry.
With a rich background at Turner Broadcasting and an upward trajectory at NBCUniversal, Yaccarino has significantly impacted the advertising sector. Here’s a quick overview of her career path.
### Education
Yaccarino graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where she studied telecommunications as a liberal arts student from 1981 to 1985.
### Early Career
She started her career with an internship at NBCUniversal, where her role wasn’t initially defined. This experience nurtured her passion for the media industry.
### Turner Broadcasting
Yaccarino spent nearly two decades at Turner Broadcasting, ultimately becoming the executive vice president and COO of advertising sales, marketing, and acquisitions, before leaving in late 2011.
### Return to NBCUniversal
After her tenure at Turner, she returned to NBCUniversal, this time as president of cable entertainment and digital advertising sales. Over 11 years, she rose to chairperson of global advertising and partnerships, managing a substantial team and significant revenue.
### Advocacy and Digital Push
Yaccarino played a crucial role in NBCUniversal’s transition into digital streaming, championing platforms like Peacock and competing against major tech firms.
### Resignation and Role at X
In May 2023, Yaccarino announced her resignation from NBCU, shortly before joining Elon Musk’s Twitter (now X) as CEO. Musk described her as an integral part of the company’s operational strategy.
### Tenure at X
During her leadership, she navigated the company through a challenging period marked by an advertiser exodus, and successfully worked to regain their trust. Despite some operational challenges due to Musk’s policy changes, advertisers began to return under her guidance.
Yaccarino stepped down on July 9, 2025, reflecting on the remarkable turnaround achieved during her time with the team. She has not disclosed her future plans yet.