By: Nick Gambino
After 9 years as the CEO of the biggest video streaming platform in the world – YouTube – Susan Wojcicki is stepping down.
Outside of running YouTube for the better part of a decade, Wojcicki has been with Google for almost 25 years. She joined the team in 1999 when it was a pipe dream with no revenue, making her one of the OGs. In fact, she rented out a garage to founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin the year before she came on board.
“Today, after nearly 25 years here, I’ve decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about,” Wojcicki said in an internal email to employees that was shared publicly by YouTube.
Taking over as CEO of YouTube is Neal Mohan who was most recently the Chief Product Officer. He’s been with Google since 2007 and has been in his most recent role at YouTube since 2015. Suffice to say he knows the product. Wojcicki will work with Mohan, helping with the transition and still communicating with YouTube teams for the immediate future.
As for her relationship with Google in the longer term, the tech vet has agreed to maintain an advisory role with Alphabet and Google. With a quarter century worth of knowledge and experience with the company, seeing it through all of its major milestones, she’s perfectly positioned to be a valuable advisor.
“Susan has a unique place in Google history and has made the most incredible contribution to products used by people everywhere,” Google founders, Page and Brin, said about the announcement. “We’re so grateful for all she’s done over the last 25 years.”
With other platforms vying for a piece of the streaming video content pie, YouTube has had to up its game in recent years. The Shorts feature is a direct response to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Being king of the mountain is not guaranteed and Mohan has a lot of work ahead of him. Luckily, Wojcicki will still be in their peripheral, offering guidance.
