• On TV.com: New TV sex symbol: Vintage black PORSCHE
January 13, 2009 3:21 PM PST

Twitter hires its first biz-dev guru

by Caroline McCarthy
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 4 comments

Last month, Twitter posted a job listing saying it was looking for someone who knew business, and now it looks like the microblogging site has found one--the first of several, it appears. Twitter has hired Kevin Thau, a veteran of tech companies Buzzwire and Openwave, as its director of mobile business development.

According to Twitter stats app Twitterholic, Thau has been using Twitter since early March of last year. He's been hired in part to handle the "crushing amount" of partnership proposals that Twitter receives. The mobile front is particularly important for Twitter, as it's the primary platform for many users. It's also been a contentious space, because it involves dealing with cell phone carriers around the world. Skyrocketing costs have forced Twitter to cut some of its international mobile numbers.

It's the first business development post that the San Francisco-based Twitter has filled. But it's currently also looking to hire a business product manager and a director of strategic partnerships. Twitter hasn't put forth a concrete business plan yet, but executives have hinted that business partnerships or corporate accounts may be part of the strategy.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
Recent posts from The Social
Facebook changes stock structure: IPO on the way?
Joost: It coulda been a contender, or not
LinkedIn's platform loosens up
'Technical issue' downs eBay search over weekend
'Jurassic Park' kid cast as Facebook co-founder
Farewell, triangles: AOL preps its post-Time Warner look
Brizzly opens up...and translates
Offerpal revises terms amid continued scandal
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by michaelo1966 January 13, 2009 5:22 PM PST
I don't think one needs a platinum MBA to realize it's time for Twitter to think about how to make money.
Reply to this comment
by Harrison912 January 14, 2009 11:47 AM PST
Thanks, Caroline. I'm typically on Twitter to socially market my safety and security products and raise awareness of the need for them so I'm glad to hear they are moving forward in this area.
Reply to this comment
by lucabave January 14, 2009 11:51 AM PST
Agree with you michaelo..

<a href="http://www.google.com">google</a>
Reply to this comment
by cheesenrice January 14, 2009 4:17 PM PST
http://synopit.com/summaries/196
Reply to this comment
(4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

The browser battles go on and on

roundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.

3G wireless still holds promise

The next generation of 4G wireless may get all the headlines, but advanced 3G technology will likely dominate services for the next few years.

About The Social

CNET News' Caroline McCarthy is a downtown Manhattanite who believes that, despite popular opinion, the Web can actually help your social life. She's happily addicted to fun social-media tools from Twitter to Yelp to Facebook, sends an inordinate number of text messages, and has a tendency to waste time at the office reading restaurant blogs. Here, she explores all facets of the Web's gregarious side, as well as the unique tech culture in her home city of New York. (Don't call it Silicon Alley.)

Add this feed to your online news reader

The Social topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right