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Instagram CEO Joins Wal-Mart Board of Directors

1 min read

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville said Monday that Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of mobile photo-sharing service Instagram, has joined its board of directors.

The appointment was effective last Friday. Systrom, 30, became the fifteenth member of retail giant’s board. Wal-Mart said he will serve as a member of the company’s Technology and eCommerce Committee and its Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee (CNGC).

“Kevin’s entrepreneurial background and his technical and digital expertise will be invaluable as we further connect with customers and deploy new capabilities through e-commerce and mobile channels,” Wal-Mart Chairman Rob Walton said in a news release.

“Walmart is investing in e-commerce capabilities through talent, technology and fulfillment,” Walton said. “Kevin’s passion and deep knowledge of social media align with our focus to engage customers through our digital and physical channels.”

Systrom said “Wal-Mart has had a profound impact as a global leader in retail.

“It’s an honor to join the Walmart board and have an opportunity to help provide more convenient and flexible ways for people to shop,” he said.

Systrom would seem to be a good fit for the retailer, which is looking to improve its mobile and e-commerce operations amid tough competition from other retailers, including Amazon.

Founded in 2010, Instagram was acquired by Facebook in August 2012 in a $1 billion deal. At the time, it was the biggest acquisition in Facebook’s history. The service has more than 200 million monthly active accounts.

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