Meta has appointed Connor Hayes as the new Head of Threads, marking a strategic leadership move aimed at strengthening the platform’s global presence, according to a report by Axios. Hayes steps into this role after serving as Vice President of Product for Generative AI at Meta for over two years, bringing with him extensive experience in product innovation and platform development.
With a career spanning more than 14 years at Meta and Instagram, Hayes has held several pivotal roles across the company, contributing significantly to product strategy and user engagement. His elevation to lead Threads underscores Meta’s growing commitment to developing the platform as a core component of its social media ecosystem, particularly in its bid to compete directly with X (formerly Twitter).
Hayes is a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. His academic background, combined with his deep industry expertise, positions him well to lead the next phase of Threads’ evolution, especially as Meta continues to invest in enhancing the platform’s features and user experience.
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for Threads, which has been steadily expanding its global footprint and rolling out new features and integrations to attract a wider audience. Meta’s emphasis on Threads as a key alternative to X reflects broader shifts in the social media landscape, where platform diversification and user-centric innovation are becoming essential to sustaining long-term engagement.
Hayes’ appointment signals Meta’s confidence in his ability to scale Threads, both in terms of user base and product capabilities. With his background in generative AI and product management, he is expected to bring a tech-forward and strategic lens to Threads’ development roadmap, aligning with Meta’s broader push into AI-driven social experiences.
As the platform gears up for its next phase, all eyes will be on how Hayes steers Threads in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market.
