Reddit Interim CEO Ellen Pao Quits Following Online Revolt
The CEO of Reddit, Ellen Pao, has resigned from the Internet Forum amid a Reddit backlash due to the firing of employee Victoria Taylor.
Last week Reddit users began revolting after Taylor was sacked without explanation. Taylor was one of the employees managing the site’s streams AMA (Ask Me Anything).
Since Taylor’s departure many areas of the subbreddit shut down in protest, and per US publication Mashable a petition had started to try and get Pao to resign. The petition has reportedly gathered more than 200,000 signatures.
Of her resignation after eight months as CEO, Pao took to the forum to explain her reasons for leaving and calling on users to remember that everyone is fallible.
“In my eight months as reddit’s CEO, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly on reddit. The good has been off-the-wall inspiring, and the ugly made me doubt humanity,” said Pao in the post.
“I just want to remind everyone that I am just another human; I have a family, and I have feelings. Everyone attacked on reddit is just another person like you and me. When people make something up to attack me or someone else, it spreads, and we eventually will see it. And we will feel bad, not just about what was said. Also because it undercuts the authenticity of Reddit and shakes our faith in humanity.”
Pao praised the positives of Reddit in her leaving post, the stories that inspired her and gave her hope.
“So why am I leaving? Ultimately, the board asked me to demonstrate higher user growth in the next six months than I believe I can deliver while maintaining Reddit’s core principles.”
Read her full post here.
Co-founder and former Reddit CEO Steve Huffman will be returning to the helm. In a post from Reddit’s Sam Altman, Huffman’s reappointment was introduced along with thanks to Pao for her time.
“Ellen Pao resigned from reddit today by mutual agreement. I’m delighted to announce that Steve Huffman, founder and the original Reddit CEO, is returning as CEO,” the post said.
Like Pao, Altman took aim at the ugly side of Reddit, saying he was sickened by some of the abuse Pao copped.
“As a closing note, it was sickening to see some of the things Redditors wrote about Ellen,” the post read. “[1] The reduction in compassion that happens when we’re all behind computer screens is not good for the world. People are still people even if there is Internet between you.
“If the Reddit community cannot learn to balance authenticity and compassion, it may be a great website but it will never be a truly great community. Steve’s great challenge as CEO [2] will be continuing the work Ellen started to drive this forward.
“[1] Disagreements are fine. Death threats are not, are not covered under free speech, and will continue to get offending users banned.
“Ellen asked me to point out that the sweeping majority of Redditors didn’t do this, and many were incredibly supportive. Although the incredible power of the Internet is the amplification of voices, unfortunately sometimes those voices are hateful.”
Latest News
Women In Print Starts New Chapter & Finds New Home
Women in Print has re-launched itself this week to take on the year, and future ahead. A refreshed brand, website, calendar and team are leading the way with Women in Print also announcing a new partnership with The Real Media Collective. A new look, new management and new focus – Community, Knowledge, Network and Support […]
Emotive Partners With YouTube And The United Nations
Creative agency, Emotive, and Good Oil Films, is partnering with YouTube and the United Nations to raise awareness around the importance of quality education, which forms part of the UN’s Global Goals for sustainable development.
HWBK Retains Seven Miles & Secures Campaign Work With Marine Stewardship Council
As this photo proves, gone are the days when it was shorties to the front, tallies to the back & polkadots were a no-no.
Grill’d Launches 100% Natural Campaign
Hungry Jacks may claim its "burgers are better", but Grill'd can most certainly claim its are four times more expensive.
LinkedIn Perfectly Captures The Realities Of WFH In New Spot
Sadly, new campaign doesn't answer why people look far more attractive in their LinkedIn photo than in real life.
Zuckerberg: Regulating Targeted Ads Will Hurt Small Businesses
Zuckerberg slams regulators and issues terse warning to whomever's using his squeezable mayonnaise in the staff fridge.
Televised Church Service Catches The Full Fury Of The Beirut Explosion
Arguably, church is one place you'd want to be during a massive explosion. But as this proves, a bank vault's better.
Trump Interviews Trump In A Hilarious Mashup Of His Car-Crash TV Interview With Aussie Journo
It's not often you hear "leader of free world" & "comedic genius" in the same sentence, such is the Trump presidency.
Nielsen Launches End-to-End Sponsorship Decision-Making Solution SPONSORLAB
Nielsen unveils end-to-end decision-making tool that can be used to scale the side of buildings in the event of a fire.
“F*ck My Life”: Channel Nine Reporter Goes Viral For Rather Relatable On-Screen Blunder
"F*ck my life" almost sounds like a long-lost Sex Pistol's song or the title of Tony Abbott's memoirs.
Quaden Bayles To Sue News Corp’s Miranda Devine For Suggesting Bullying Was A “Scam”
Apparently, there was moonwalking & jazz hands at News Corp's lawyers' office today as news of this cash cow arrived.
Social Media Marketing: It’s Not All About Paid Ads
No denying social media can be a veritable minefield. Make sure you don't put a foot wrong with this explosive read.
ScoMo Rules Out TikTok Ban
ScoMo rules out TikTok ban, as Albo releases his latest unicorn, fairy dance video complete with cascading rainbows.
Wednesday TV Wrap: ABC’s Hard Quiz Wins Night In Entertainment
The daily TV wrap is the "sports pages" but for TV. B&T's TV reporter even smells a bit like an old Tele league journo.
Research: 23% Of Aussies Have Made Or Seen Embarrassing Behaviours In Work Video Meetings
B&T has improved our Zoom staff videos by forgoing the 'pants optional' rule & banning the wearing of nipple tassels.
Reports: Black Nike Employees Angry Over The Brand’s Latest “Masterpiece”
It appears a little bit of Teflon is coming off the Nike brand. Apparently, it's even had a fried sausage stuck to it.
Outdoor Industry Unites For Global #OurSecondChance Campaign
The global Out of Home (OOH) industry has today launched a campaign #OurSecondChance. The campaign asks simple questions about how we can make the most of the positive opportunities that have arisen out of the pandemic. Broadcast on OOH signs around the globe #OurSecondChance is collaboration between World Out of Home Organisation (WOO) and the […]
Nestlé Crowns Australia’s First Milkybar Kid-Ult
Nicholas Shields now studiously avoided at BBQs, parties & work functions after being named Milkybar's first Kid-Ult.
batyr & UM Take ‘Run For The Herd’ Virtual
With the COVID-19 crisis affecting all crowd-based activities, youth mental-health charity batyr has devised the first-ever Run for the Herd Virtual Festival partnering with media business UM to bring the virtual event to life. With the City2Surf event in Sydney, normally a big fund-raising opportunity for batyr, postponed this year, batyr has created a virtual event and with the support of UM are encouraging […]
Camper Australia Appoints Glenn Marshall As Editor At Large
With his passion for defecating in a freshly-dug hole, Glenn Marshall appointed Camper Australia's editor at large.
Deloitte Australia Appoints First Female CMO, With New Global CMO Also Announced
Deloitte Australia appoints first female CMO, yet still can't get that "man stink" smell out of the office, however.
Instagram Launches Response To TikTok With ‘Instagram Reels’
Instagram reprising Irving Berlin's 1946 showtune "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" in response to TikTok.
Bauer Survey: Women Looking To Reinvent Post-Covid
As you'll discover here, Bauer might be folding its magazines, but it's definitely ramping up its Survey Monkey efforts.
“Chateau d’Cardboard!” Sales Of Goon Surge 21% In Lockdown
As anyone who's attended a B&T soirée would attest, we don't serve goon. We pour it into a bottle to appear more couth.
How Might PR Withstand The Shadowland & Keep Itself Fully In The Light?
Here's an expert piece by the PR industry for the PR industry. However, there's no air-kissing or piccolos of Moët.
Tealium Appoints Aaron Senden To Lead Growth Across New Zealand
Enterprise sales veteran joins the Tealium leadership team
Does TikTok Really Make Sense For Microsoft?
Here, DDB's Alex Watts skewers, marinades & spit roasts Microsoft's interest in TikTok. All served on a tasy lavash.
QMS Sport Rebrands As Media Tech
Following QMS’ acquisition of TLA Worldwide (Aust) last year, QMS Sport has today announced it will transition to the TLA brand and formally become a business unit of TLA. ‘Media Tech’ is officially the new name for what was formally known as QMS Sport, and will operate alongside TLA’s existing business units that span the […]
TV Market Ad Revenue Dives As It Records $3.4B In FY19-20, Down 13.7%
TV ad revenues plummet 13.7%. Still, it could be worse, they could be in the airline business or flogging cruises.
Times Are A Changin’: Now Is The Time For A Marketing Rethink
This headline does pay a nod to the 1964 Bob Dylan song. Which, admittedly, is far better than nodding to Shannon Noll.
