Threads Appoints Dedicated Chief as Meta Eyes the Next Stage of Growth

Posted on July 17, 2025
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Meta Appoints Connor Hayes as Dedicated Leader to Drive Threads Growth

Meta has appointed Connor Hayes as the dedicated head of Threads, signaling increased focus on the app’s development. Hayes brings extensive experience from Instagram Reels and generative AI projects, positioning him to accelerate Threads’ growth. With Threads nearing 400 million monthly active users, this move aims to capitalize on its momentum and potentially challenge competitors like X. The appointment highlights Threads’ evolution into a major social platform within Meta’s ecosystem.

Optimixed’s Overview: Meta Strengthens Threads Leadership to Boost User Growth and Platform Impact

Strategic Leadership Appointment

Meta has taken a significant step by naming Connor Hayes as the dedicated leader for Threads, emphasizing the platform’s rising importance. Hayes, a seasoned product manager, has contributed to key Meta projects such as Instagram Reels and AI-driven initiatives, making him well-equipped to guide Threads through its next growth phase.

Threads’ Rapid User Expansion

  • Threads has rapidly expanded to approximately 400 million monthly active users, up from 350 million earlier in the year.
  • This growth trajectory positions Threads to potentially surpass X (formerly Twitter), which currently reports around 600 million monthly active users but is seeing a decline in popularity.
  • Increased user engagement and critical mass are expected to accelerate further adoption and activity on the platform.

Implications for Meta’s Social Ecosystem

While Threads remains linked to Instagram, the dedicated leadership allows Instagram chief Adam Mosseri to focus more on IG while providing Threads with concentrated attention to develop its unique identity. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of Threads becoming a billion-user app underlines the platform’s long-term potential, and Hayes’ appointment is a clear indicator of Meta’s commitment to realizing that goal.