In a dramatic twist from Silicon Valley’s power corridors, Google once handed Neal Mohan a staggering $100 million to keep him from accepting a top job at Twitter. The move was part of a high-stakes retention play in the tech world’s battle for leadership talent, as revealed by a recent profile on the YouTube CEO.
Back in 2011, when Mohan was serving as a senior executive at Google, he was offered the position of Chief Product Officer at Twitter. Reports suggest he was ready to make the leap, even having agreed to the offer and preparing to transition. But Google wasn’t ready to let go.
To prevent the exit, Google devised a strategic counter: a $100 million stock grant designed to anchor Mohan firmly to its core. The offer was so persuasive that Mohan chose to stay, going on to shape the future of YouTube alongside then-CEO Susan Wojcicki.
Their long-standing partnership is now legendary within tech circles. Mohan and Wojcicki collaborated on key growth and product strategies that turned YouTube into a digital titan. Their dynamic duo steered YouTube through critical phases, including content moderation, monetisation, and short-form video innovation.
Mohan, who once led product and user experience for YouTube, was eventually named CEO when Wojcicki stepped down. His journey highlights the intense competition for visionary leaders in tech and the lengths to which companies will go to protect their top minds.
The retention grant not only shows how valuable Mohan was to Google but also reflects the shifting dynamics of leadership power in Big Tech.
Today, as the head of YouTube, Mohan continues to guide the platform through evolving landscapes, including AI integration, content regulation, and creator monetisation. The decision Google made years ago continues to shape its future.
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