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Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich steps down over political backlash
MUMBAI: One of Silicon Valley’s leading firms’ chief executive stepped down just days after his appointment, amid huge uproar on the internet that was sparked by employees who complained about his opposition to gay marriage.
Brendan Eich resigned from Mozilla, the organisation behind the Firefox web browser, after intense criticism over a six-year-old, $1,000 donation he made in support of a 2008 California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage.
Eich, who invented JavaScript and helped start Mozilla in 1998, was appointed as CEO in late March. After he was named, some Mozilla employees took to Twitter to call for his resignation. He then apologised for causing “pain” and made a commitment to promote equality for gay and lesbian individuals at Mozilla.
In a blog post Thursday, Mozilla’s executive chairwoman, Mitchell Baker, apologised for Eich’s appointment, writing, “We have employees with a wide diversity of views. Our culture of openness extends to encouraging staff and community to share their beliefs and opinions in public… But this time we failed to listen, to engage, and to be guided by our community.”
In a statement provided by Mozilla, Eich said: “I have decided to resign as CEO effective today, and leave Mozilla. Our mission is bigger than any one of us, and under the present circumstances, I cannot be an effective leader. I will be taking time before I decide what to do next.”
In her blog post, Mozilla’s chairwoman Baker wrote: “While painful, the events of the last week show exactly why we need the Web. So all of us can engage freely in the tough conversations we need to make the world better.”
Mozilla grew out of Netscape, the company behind the first popular Web browser Mosaic. Comprised of the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation and its taxpaying subsidiary, Mozilla Corp, the organisation develops open-source, free software with its own employees and a global community of third-party developers. It is best known for its Firefox Web browser, but maintains several other products including Bugzilla, which tracks online software bugs, and Firefox OS, a mobile operating system.
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Goafest 2026 registrations now open at early bird rates
South Asia’s top advertising festival returns to Goa in May with fresh ideas and big conversations.
MUMBAI: Goafest is back and this time it’s not just calling for entries, it’s calling for everyone who wants to stay ahead of the creative curve. Delegate registrations for the 19th edition of Goafest, South Asia’s premier festival celebrating creativity and advertising excellence, are now open. Early Bird rates are available until 30 April 2026. The festival will take place from 20 to 22 May 2026 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. It promises a dynamic line-up of keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities designed to spark fresh perspectives and meaningful industry connections.
Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) president Srinivasan K. Swamy said, “Goafest continues to be a defining platform for the advertising and marketing community, bringing together diverse voices from across the ecosystem.”
Goafest 2026 co-chairman of the organising committee Mohit Joshi added, “Each year, Goafest creates an environment that encourages collaboration and connection across the industry.”
Goafest is co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC). The event has established itself as one of the most anticipated gatherings in the advertising and marketing calendar, offering professionals a space to exchange ideas, learn from leaders and celebrate outstanding work.
In the fast-moving world of creativity, where trends change faster than campaign deadlines, Goafest remains the annual pit-stop where the industry catches its breath, swaps stories and leaves inspired ready to create the next big idea.
