Advertisers Say They Do Not Plan to Return to X After Musk’s Comments

Twitter/X ^ | Dec 1 | xDaily

[RandFan]

Key Points:

- Numerous marketing agencies representing major brands have decided not to resume advertising on X following Elon telling them to GFY

- Temporary advertising pauses on X are likely to become permanent, with Musk's comments providing little incentive for a return. Lou Paskalis, CEO of AJL Advisory, highlights the reputational risk involved.

- Elon’s history of alienating advertisers, including threatening those who paused spending over content moderation concerns, has compounded the issue.

- Over 200 advertisers paused their campaigns on X after Musk's replying to an antisemitic comment and the presence of ads near pro-Nazi content.

- Musk's remarks at the DealBook Summit in New York, criticizing advertisers and accusing them of "blackmail," further escalated tensions.

- Linda Yaccarino, X's CEO, attempted to mitigate the situation by focusing on Musk's apology and appealing for advertisers to return, emphasizing X's commitment to free speech.

- Skepticism remains among advertisers, with Ruben Schreurs of Ebiquity noting that a significant shift in leadership or company policy may be required to attract them back.

- Tom Hespos of Abydos Media has advised clients to completely withdraw from X, citing ethical considerations.

- The situation poses a challenge for X, especially as the year-end is a peak advertising period. Major brands like Apple, Disney, and IBM have paused their campaigns, while some, including the NFL and The Athletic, remain.

- Musk's stance, risking the platform's financial stability, reflects his dismissiveness towards advertiser concerns. Steve Boehler of Mercer Island Group notes the resultant perception of Musk as a risky partner for brands.

[wgmalabama]

I see a time in the future when all the traffic for these sites/advertisers is redirected to competitors on the starlink systems. Does anyone think all that physical infrastructure will be maintained when starlink creates a digital backbone without all the expensive towers ….

I believe Elon has a bunch of very shortsighted companies by the curlies.

[Mr. K]

I’m not intending to go to Walmart then either.

Did they learn nothing from bud light?

[Mr. K]

I’m not intending to go to Walmart then either.

Did they learn nothing from bud light?

[yesthatjallen]

"Musk's stance, risking the platform's financial stability, reflects his dismissiveness towards advertiser concerns."

No. Musk is standing up to bullies like Media Matters. Musk is fighting for free speech.

[Jumper]

Funny thing will happen on the way to Trumps inauguration in January... X will be deluded with advertisers. Trump will give them an ultimatum stating either resume advertising with X and Truth Social by extension, or be outted as assisting the Biden DNC-CIA illegal American Information War on invidiual citizens. Then let the government make of list of alternate products and companies that people who need stuff from but don’t want to support Facists and Marxists can support.

[Jumper]

Musk should let them know their products will not be going off world on any of his projects like Space X.