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January 13, 2009 3:21 PM PST

Twitter hires its first biz-dev guru

by Caroline McCarthy

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.
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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.
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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.
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by lucabave January 14, 2009 11:51 AM PST
Agree with you michaelo..

<a href="http://www.google.com">google</a>
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by cheesenrice January 14, 2009 4:17 PM PST
http://synopit.com/summaries/196
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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.)

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