Elon Musk attended the Cannes Lions advertising festival in France to address the controversy surrounding his remarks towards advertisers. When asked by WPP CEO Mark Read about his previous comments telling advertisers to “go f— yourself,” Musk clarified that his intention was to emphasize the importance of free speech on a global platform like X.
He explained that his comments were not directed towards advertisers as a whole but rather in support of allowing a wide range of opinions to be expressed freely. Musk stated that he prioritizes free speech over censorship for the sake of money and believes it is the right moral decision to support open dialogue on the platform.
Musk’s presence at Cannes was also aimed at reassuring ad groups and global brands about the future of X. He was accompanied by Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, and former chairman of global advertising and partnerships for NBC Universal. Last year, several major advertisers such as Apple, IBM, Disney, and Sony withdrew their ads from X due to controversial content and ad placement issues.
In response to criticism and accusations of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on X, Musk traveled to Israel to address the concerns raised by civil rights groups. During an interview at the 2023 DealBook Summit in New York, Musk bluntly told advertisers threatening to stop spending on ads to refrain from advertising on his platform.
However, Musk has now backtracked on his confrontational stance towards advertisers by acknowledging their right to choose where their ads appear. He emphasized the importance of allowing diverse viewpoints on the platform while ensuring that content aligns with legal boundaries.
Overall, Musk’s efforts to clarify his position on free speech and reassure advertisers reflect his commitment to maintaining X as a platform that values open expression within the limits of the law. By engaging with industry leaders at Cannes and addressing concerns directly, Musk is working towards rebuilding trust and demonstrating a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for advertisers on X.