In a revelation that underscores just how crucial Neal Mohan is to Google’s long-term strategy, it was disclosed in a recent podcast with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath that Google once paid Mohan a staggering $100 million in stock to stop him from leaving for Twitter. This high-stakes retention move occurred back in 2011, at a time when Twitter (now X) was aggressively pursuing top-tier talent to lead its product team, and had approached Mohan for the position of Chief Product Officer.
Mohan was seriously considering the offer when Google responded with restricted stock units worth over $100 million, distributed over several years, effectively ensuring that he remained a part of its leadership ecosystem. Though the news created a quiet buzz in tech circles at the time, the story was never widely publicized until now.
Having joined Google after the company’s acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007, Mohan had already proven to be a key asset. He played a vital role in building Google’s advertising empire and later shifted focus to YouTube, where his product vision and leadership helped the platform evolve into a global media powerhouse. He was appointed CEO of YouTube in 2023, succeeding Susan Wojcicki.
Neal Mohan’s journey began at Stanford University, where he studied electrical engineering, followed by early career stints at Andersen Consulting and NetGravity. His time at DoubleClick saw him weather the dot-com collapse and help rebuild the company, making it an attractive acquisition for Google. The 2011 retention offer was reportedly influenced by David Rosenblatt, Mohan’s former mentor and a board member at Twitter at the time, who had been part of the effort to bring him on board. But Google’s massive counteroffer highlighting not just financial commitment but strategic trust kept him loyal to the company.
Though he maintains a relatively low profile in public compared to some other tech leaders, Mohan’s impact behind the scenes is undeniable. His product leadership has significantly shaped YouTube's direction, from algorithmic content delivery to advertising innovations and creator monetization features. This story is a testament to how tech giants like Google go to extraordinary lengths to retain talent that drives their core businesses. It also reflects how Neal Mohan’s quiet yet transformative role continues to influence some of the biggest decisions in the digital ecosystem today.
