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4w ago

Podcast Uncovers Google’s $100 Million 2011 Deal to Keep Neal Mohan From Twitter

It shows how Google leveraged a multi-year restricted stock package to retain a top product executive who now heads YouTube.

Nikhil Kamath Podcast
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan once considered joining Twitter
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Neal Mohan wanted to leave, Google paid him $100M to stop him from joining X

Overview

  • In 2011 Twitter pursued Mohan for its chief product officer role, with former mentor David Rosenblatt leading the effort.
  • Google countered with over $100 million in restricted stock units that vested across several years to secure Mohan’s commitment.
  • Mohan joined Google in 2007 through its acquisition of DoubleClick and went on to shape the company’s advertising offerings and YouTube’s product roadmap.
  • The retention package was revealed on May 28 in a podcast with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, where Mohan confirmed the details.
  • The disclosure highlights the fierce competition for elite tech talent and underscores the strategic value Google placed on Mohan before he became YouTube’s CEO in 2023.