June 11--Dick Costolo resigned as Twitter's chief executive Thursday, nearly five years after assuming the top job. He oversaw the company's initial public offering of stock and, subsequently, its shares' underwhelming performance. And as Twitter's user base skyrocketed, its CEO found himself at the center of more than one controversy.
Costolo joined Twitter as chief operating officer in September 2009, but he -- at least jokingly -- had bigger plans from Day 1.
First full day as Twitter COO tomorrow. Task #1: undermine CEO, consolidate power.
-- dick costolo (@dickc) September 13, 2009
A year later, he was running the show, taking over as CEO from Twitter co-founder Evan Williams.
I didn't think i could get busier. I was wrong. So very wrong.
-- dick costolo (@dickc) October 6, 2010
In 2011, Twitter's public profile rose as protesters used social media to organize uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and other nations in the "Arab Spring" movement.
The next year, Costolo was solidifying his management style ...
Too many people believe that the CEO role is about being a teacher. The CEO role is about being a student.
-- dick costolo (@dickc) February 18, 2012
... but he drew fire after weighing in on several major websites' plan to hold a "blackout" to protest Congress' Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act, known as SOPA and PIPA -- bills that sites such as Wikipedia and Google claimed would amount to censorship.
@digiphile @jayrosen_nyu that's just silly. Closing a global business in reaction to single-issue national politics is foolish.
-- dick costolo (@dickc) January 16, 2012
@digiphile Not shutting down a service doesn't equal not taking the proper stance on an issue. We've been very clear about our stance
-- dick costolo (@dickc) January 16, 2012
Costolo also has taken some heat over the role of women at his company. In 2013, the New York Times published an article criticizing Twitter for its almost complete lack of women in top leadership roles, quoting an academic, Vivek Wadhwa, who called the absence a product of "elite arrogance" and "male chauvinistic thinking." Costolo responded by likening Wadhwa to a comedian known for his over-the-top persona.
@rich1 Vivek Wadhwa is the Carrot Top of academic sources.
-- dick costolo (@dickc) October 5, 2013
Although the CEO later had a more nuanced conversation on the topic, the comment did not go over well.
Wow, @dickc. THAT's how you choose to respond publicly to that article + the valid criticism therein? I'm floored.
-- Jen Bekman (@jenbee) October 5, 2013
Costolo also has been in the hot seat as Twitter struggles to control rampant harassment, including threats of physical violence and the publication of home addresses, by some users targeting other users.
Perhaps most important to Costolo's career, however, is that Twitter's earnings and stock price have not met investors' lofty expectations. After an initial public offering in 2013 that saw shares soar, the stock suffered a series of precipitous drops.
Uh-oh. $TWTR stock down as much as 7% in after-hours trading, following earnings
-- Tim Bradshaw (@tim) April 29, 2014
Although shares have recovered from their all-time low, it's been a bumpy ride, and investors did not forget who was leading the company.
@twitter @dickc @anthonynoto Stock price continues to drop as mgmt and board are running this co into the ground. Need a major shakeup.
-- Jared (@JDR1024) May 27, 2015
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Chris Sacca, a Twitter investor, still had good things to say.
In under five years as CEO, @dickc grew Twitter from a $3b valuation to a $23b valuation. Credit where credit is due. Thanks, Dick.
-- Chris Sacca (@sacca) June 11, 2015
Regardless of the reasons, on Thursday Costolo was on his way out. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey will take his place at the company's helm during the search for a permanent successor, Twitter said.
Dick Costolo to step down as CEO, will remain on Board, and Jack Dorsey appointed Interim CEO, effective July 1
-- TwitterIR (@TwitterIR) June 11, 2015
The handoff, at least, was cordial.
Thank you for everything @dickc! You're a selfless leader who's built an amazing team and company #proud https://t.co/52z4TIYIUh
-- Jack (@jack) June 11, 2015
Welcome back, @jack !! https://t.co/3papmyUKg0
-- dick costolo (@dickc) June 11, 2015
