Robert Kyncl will retire from YouTube in early 2023 after more than 12 years as a senior executive at the video giant. Most recently, he served as YouTube’s Chief Business Officer, where he helped grow YouTube into a multi-billion dollar powerhouse.
Kyncl’s resignation was announced on Monday in a memo from CEO Susan Wojcicki to YouTube staff, a copy of which is variety.
Kinkle is leaving “to begin the next chapter of his career.” Under his leadership, YouTube has forged new relationships and partnerships in music, traditional media and technology, and the creator ecosystem. Without him, the term ‘YouTuber’ wouldn’t be a mainstream term.”
Effective October 3, Kyncl was succeeded by 10-year Google veteran Mary Ellen Coe as President of Google Customer Solutions, overseeing the global advertising business for mid- and small-sized businesses. . Before she joined Google in 2012, she was a partner at McKinsey & Co. where she advised consumer, media and technology companies for 12 years. She serves on the board of directors of Merck & Co., and when the grocery chain was acquired by Amazon, she also served on the board of Whole Foods.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Mary Ellen over the years. She is a smart and effective leader who cares deeply about our users, partners and her people. ,” Wojcicki wrote in a note.
While Kyncl succeeded in driving engagement and revenue on YouTube, it had some setbacks. He initially formed the foundation of YouTube’s subscription service and spearheaded his team’s creation of original content for YouTube, with the goal of competing with Netflix and Hulu. It didn’t work out, and YouTube ended most of its original entertainment projects. Before he joined YouTube in 2010, Kyncl worked at Netflix where he worked for over seven years, most recently as Vice President of Content.
Read Wojcicki’s note to YouTube staff:
Hello everyone,
After 12 years of building YouTube’s business organization into the powerhouse it is today with a talented global team, millions of successful creators and strong partnerships across many industries, Robert will leave YouTube in 2023. , decided to start the next chapter of his career. Under his leadership, YouTube has forged new relationships and partnerships in music, traditional media and technology, and his ecosystem of creators. Without him, the term “YouTuber” wouldn’t be a mainstream term. Thanks to Robert and his leadership and his team, we are making a meaningful contribution to the media industry, paying out over $30 billion of his to creators, artists and media companies over the past three years. We owe our growth and influence to Robert’s leadership. We would like to congratulate him for his great contribution to YouTube.
Change gives us the opportunity to consider where we are and where we need to go. I am delighted to announce the hiring of our new Chief Business Officer, Mary Ellen Coe, to lead our business organization. Mary Ellen has been with Google for the past 10 years, most recently as President of Customer Solutions at GBO, serving millions of customers and thousands of partners around the world. She has extensive experience working with small businesses and can bring her expertise to work with creators. Many of her creators are their own small businesses. Prior to Google, she was a partner at McKinsey & Company where she worked in the consumer, media and technology sectors for over ten years. I had the pleasure of working with Mary Ellen over the years. She will join the company on her October 3rd, reporting to Christina, Gautam, Lyor, Pedro, Tara and the recently hired Vice President of Product Partnerships Miguel.
Given the complexity of our business, we are grateful that Robert remains on to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in our music and product partnerships and the completion of important projects.
Thanks to Robert for his contributions to YouTube over the last few years. His work is exceptional and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him over the years. I miss his candor, authenticity and humor.
And welcome Mary Ellen to YouTube.
thank you very much,
Susan