Stepping out of the Elysee Presidential Palace, Facebook’s global public policy VP Joel Kaplan and CEO Mark Zuckerberg looked thoughtful, having just met French President Emmanuel Macron on a spring day in Paris back in May 2018.
In recent developments, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is making a strategic shift. Joel Kaplan is now stepping into the role of President of Global Affairs, succeeding Nick Clegg, who has decided to transition out. This move is creating ripples in the industry as it comes just weeks before Donald Trump assumes the presidency. The timing suggests tech firms are recalibrating strategies in anticipation of the new political climate in Washington.
Nick Clegg, once Britain’s deputy prime minister, feels the time is ripe for a change and will pass the baton to Kaplan, who will now be the Chief Global Affairs Officer. Kaplan is no stranger to the political scene, having served under President George W. Bush and making regular appearances at significant events such as the NYSE with J.D. Vance and Trump. His presence at Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court hearing in 2018 notably stirred the waters for Meta.
In a memo shared on Facebook, Clegg mentioned looking forward to a transition period where he would continue to represent Meta on the global stage in the early parts of the year. Since joining Meta in 2018, Clegg has been pivotal in steering the company through numerous challenges, including the scrutiny of its role in elections and the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica debacle. He also became a key figure at legislative meetings in both Washington and London, specifically on panels discussing artificial intelligence.
Reflecting on his tenure, Clegg noted the transformative phase between technology giants and societal expectations, which ushered new laws and norms into the spotlight. With Kaplan moving up, Clegg shared that Kevin Martin, a former FCC chairman, will fill Kaplan’s previous position as the vice president of global policy. Kaplan’s new responsibilities will include working closely with David Ginsburg, who heads global communications and public affairs at Meta.
Mark Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for Clegg’s contributions and welcomed Kaplan’s advancement, highlighting Kaplan’s extensive experience and leadership within the company’s policy framework.
This development was initially covered by Semafor.
In related industry news, Rosenblatt Securities has set an ambitious target price of $811 for Meta’s stock, stirring interest among investors.
