Business Development · Partnerships
I'm Lydia Getachew, a strategic partnerships leader in New York. For 12+ years I've built first-of-their-kind product integrations across TikTok, Meta, GIPHY and Alibaba.
I'm a strategic partnerships leader with 12+ years building first-of-their-kind product integrations across TikTok, Meta, GIPHY and Alibaba — at the intersection of platform growth, the creator economy and AI.
Most recently I led Global Product Partnerships & User Growth at TikTok, running Search, API and Mini App deals across LATAM, APAC, Europe and the UK. Before that I spent five years at GIPHY as Director of BD & Strategy, scaling its platform ecosystem through both the Meta and Shutterstock acquisitions.
I'm also a viral creator (@lydgiggs), music producer and DJ — so I build with firsthand insight into the communities and products I represent.
TikTok
Led Search, API and Mini App partnerships across LATAM, APAC, Europe and the UK — from cold outreach through contract to launch, aligning product, engineering, legal and regional teams.
GIPHY (through the Meta & Shutterstock acquisitions)
Grew a platform partnership ecosystem powering 15B+ daily media impressions across 14K+ API/SDK integrations, and built GIPHY's API monetization program — all while navigating two acquisitions.
Alibaba
Founding member of Alibaba's North American HQ in New York; top performer within the first year, generating $1.2M in revenue across SME and enterprise accounts.
Earlier career: Business development roles at The New York Times and IAC, building the foundation in partnerships and deal-making before moving into product-focused partnerships at Alibaba, GIPHY, and TikTok.
Sourced via cold outreach to their exec team and originated TikTok's first content-as-a-service Mini App partnership — the commercial playbook for Mini App deals beyond games and dramas.
Structured a multi-million dollar API-for-data exchange: Search API access traded for weather data at zero licensing cost, eliminating annual data spend.
Launched in-stream appointment booking for creators through LIVE Service+, driving 910 activations and 311 bookings in the first month.
Built GIPHY's first Spotify integration, letting verified artists link GIFs and clips to their music. Launch partners: Doja Cat, The Kid LAROI, Post Malone.
Shipped a first-of-its-kind GIPHY API integration into TikTok Green Screen, expanding GIPHY's reach across a major creator platform.
Launched TikTok as GIPHY's first major Clips partner, growing clip inventory 50% by onboarding premium content providers including HBO, ABC and Hulu.
Partnered with BLK Dating to launch custom BlkMojis for World Emoji Day, unlocking culturally relevant expression for a key community.
Partnerships leadership, advisory, or a deal that needs a closer. Based in New York.