Twitter has appointed the former CTO of Facebook, Bret Taylor, to its Board.
Currently the CEO and co-founder of Quip, Taylor became the Facebook CTO after it acquired his social network FriendFeed.
His tenure, which ran from the acquisition in 2009 until 2012, is primarily known for introducing the ‘like’ button.
Twitter bringing on a new hire from rival Facebook could indicate a wider effort to learn from the other social network. The two social networks serve different functions and have seen somewhat different fortunes.
Facebook has successfully monetised its platform through selling its user base to advertisers.
Twitter, however, has struggled to make significant revenue from advertising and has consequently had to undergo a general overhaul of its business.
In October, newly permanent CEO Jack Dorsey announced the sacking of 8 percent of its workforce, intended to put Twitter on a "stronger path to grow." Most of the job losses, he said, would fall on the Product and Engineering departments at the social media giant.
The company saw its share price fall 12 percent after it reported revenue of $595m in April, missing expectations. Twitter was expected to report $607.8m in revenue.
"Twitter is the fastest way to find out what’s happening, and beneath its simplicity lies a very sophisticated set of technology," said Taylor of his appointment. "I hope to bring my knowledge and experiences to bear to help Jack and the Board push Twitter and its services forward."
"Bret brings world class experience, insight, & thoughtfulness around building social services," wrote Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in a tweet.
"Bret brings to our Board a great mind for consumer products and technologies that will be invaluable to the company as we execute our plans for 2016 and beyond," said Omid Kordestani, Twitter’s executive chairman. "His skills also complement those of our other recent Board additions, who bring expertise in finance, media, and entrepreneurship."
