SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter marketing and communications VP Gabriel Stricker will continue to lead comms at the microblogging service despite absorbing oversight of its media unit after COO Ali Rowghani and VP of media Chloe Sladden stepped down last week.
Stricker will continue to report to CEO Dick Costolo and lead marcomms, said Jim Prosser, Twitter’s senior manager of communications. The media team previously reported to Sladden, who reported to Rowghani.
Stricker’s added responsibilities include leading Twitter’s various media partnerships, such as those for sports, TV, and news. Twitter’s marcomms and media teams have a history of working closely together, The Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday.
"This was an additive move, rather than one that supplanted [Stricker’s] duties," Prosser told PRWeek. "It also wasn't a promotion – [Stricker’s] title [remains] the same."
He added that Twitter is not looking to hire senior-level communications staffers.
Stricker joined Twitter in 2012. Last year, he managed communications for the company’s November IPO, which was handled by the company’s in-house communications team without the assistance of an outside firm.
Prior to Twitter, Stricker worked as director of global communications and public affairs at Google. Previously, he worked in campaign politics.
Rowghani’s oversight of business development is being folded into the role of Twitter president of global revenue and partnerships Adam Bain.
Stricker and Bain are taking on additional responsibilities at Twitter as it faces increasing challenges from stakeholders. The company’s stock has fallen more than 40% this year as investors have demanded better growth numbers. It also surprised stakeholders recently when it said visitors are checking the platform less frequently than in the past.
Stricker was not immediately available for comment.
