The X sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco. Since Mr Musk acquired the social media company in October, X has struggled to retain advertisers. AP
The X sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco. Since Mr Musk acquired the social media company in October, X has struggled to retain advertisers. AP
The X sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco. Since Mr Musk acquired the social media company in October, X has struggled to retain advertisers. AP
The X sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco. Since Mr Musk acquired the social media company in October, X has struggled to retain advertisers. AP

Elon Musk-owned X could be profitable next year, CEO says


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Social media platform X could turn a profit in early 2024, chief executive Linda Yaccarino said on Wednesday, during a wide-ranging interview in which she defended the company's progress under billionaire owner Elon Musk.

The appearance at Vox Media's Code conference comes as Ms Yaccarino marked 100 days as chief executive of the platform formerly known as Twitter.

She has faced questions over her autonomy in the role and the company's ability to court advertisers who have been wary of the rapid changes on the platform and Mr Musk's controversial persona.

"The velocity of change and the scope of ambition at X really does not exist anywhere else," Ms Yaccarino said.

When asked about third-party estimates that showed X's active app users have fallen to 25th place behind Samsung's clock app, Ms Yaccarino said key metrics around time spent on X were "trending very, very positively," without providing specifics.

Ms Yaccarino added that about 1,500 advertisers have returned to the platform in the past 12 weeks, and that 90 per cent of the company's top 100 advertisers have returned.

While she said the company could be profitable next year, X is also facing a number of lawsuits that allege it has failed to pay rent on its offices and millions of dollars in severance to thousands of employees who were laid off.

Since Mr Musk acquired the social media company in October, X has struggled to retain advertisers who feared appearing next to unsuitable content, as researchers and activist groups have reported an increase in hateful posts.

anti-Semitic content on X has been a focus in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Mr Musk threatened a lawsuit against the Anti-Defamation League, accusing the non-profit that works to fight anti-Semitism of primarily causing a 60 per cent decrease in US ad revenue at X.

Mr Musk's comments came just days after Ms Yaccarino met with the ADL.

Asked on Wednesday about the issue, Ms Yaccarino said it was "disappointing" that the organisation did not acknowledge the progress that X has made on safety.

Earlier in the interview, she said X introduced new content moderation tools and features to prevent ads from appearing next to certain content, which hadn't existed before the acquisition.

Ms Yaccarino also defended Mr Musk's right to speak out on the platform.

"Freedom of speech is only successful if someone you disagree with says something you disagree with."

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

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Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Updated: September 28, 2023, 4:35 AM