Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as CEO after attempted ouster by board
Automattic confirms that WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has returned as chief executive officer just two days after the company board placed him on a leave of absence. The abrupt reversal follows what was described as an attempted ouster or coup attempt against the CEO of the WordPress.com parent company, which also owns Tumblr and Beeper. During the brief leadership disruption, Davies had stepped in as interim CEO. Questions remain about the exact events behind the board action and who authored the official confirmation.
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- ✓ Matt Mullenweg has returned as CEO of Automattic after being placed on a leave of absence.
- ✓ The leadership dispute and return occurred over a span of two days.
- ✓ Davies had become interim CEO during the brief ouster.
What changed
Automattic confirmed the return of Matt Mullenweg as CEO two days after his initial removal.
Live updates
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Automattic Confirms Matt Mullenweg Returns as CEO After Brief Ouster
Automattic confirms that WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg has returned as chief executive officer just two days after the company board placed him on a leave of absence. The abrupt reversal follows what was described as an attempted ouster or coup attempt against the CEO of the WordPress.com parent company, which also owns Tumblr and Beeper. During the brief leadership disruption, Davies had stepped in as interim CEO. Questions remain about the exact events behind the board action and who authored the official confirmation.
Why it matters
The sudden leadership dispute at Automattic highlights rapid boardroom conflicts inside major web infrastructure firms. The company oversees critical platforms including WordPress.com, Tumblr, and Beeper. The rapid reinstatement of Mullenweg within forty-eight hours leaves many operational questions unresolved regarding the board dynamics.
What is confirmed
- Matt Mullenweg has returned as CEO of Automattic after being placed on a leave of absence.
- The leadership dispute and return occurred over a span of two days.
- Davies had become interim CEO during the brief ouster.
Still unconfirmed
- The board action was part of a coup attempt.
What to watch next
- Further official statements from Automattic clarifying the board decisions
- Details regarding the role of interim CEO Davies moving forward
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- TechCrunch — Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as CEO after attempted ouster by board
- 404 Media — Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Put on 'Leave of Absence'
- Search Engine Journal — WordPress Co-Founder Matt Mullenweg Ousted As CEO Of Automattic
- theverge.com — Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg placed on leave
- Inshorts — WordPress.com parent's CEO returns to role 2 days after ouster in 'coup' attempt | 'Davies had become interim CEO' | Inshorts
- The Verge — Matt Mullenweg returns as Automattic CEO two days after getting booted
- www.searchenginejournal.com — Matt Mullenweg Apparently Back In Charge At Automattic
- news.ssbcrack.com — Matt Mullenweg Reinstated as CEO of Automattic After Brief Ouster
- pulse2.com — Matt Mullenweg Returns As Automattic CEO Two Days After Being Placed On Leave
- dailytechnewsshow.com — Blizzard Announces Next Diablo, StarCraft, and More – DTH
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