Tech company CEO resigns after controversy over video captured at Coldplay concert
The IT company CEO captured in a widely circulated video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert has resigned.
Andy Byron resigned from his job as CEO of Cincinnati-based Astronomer Inc, according to a statement posted on LinkedIn by the company on July 19.
"Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,' the company said in its post on LinkedIn.
The move comes a day after the company said that Byron had been placed on leave and the board of directors had launched a formal investigation into the jumbotron incident, which went viral. A company spokesman later confirmed in a statement to AP that it was Byron and Astronomer chief people officer Kristin Cabot in the video.
The short video clip shows Byron and Cabot as captured on the jumbotron at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, during a Coldplay concert on July 16.
Lead singer Chris Martin asked the cameras to scan the crowd for his "Jumbotron Song', when he sings a few lines about the people the camera lands on.
"Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy,' he joked.
Internet sleuths identified the man as the chief executive officer of a US-based company and the woman as its chief people officer.
Pete DeJoy, Astronomer's cofounder and chief product officer, has been tapped as interim CEO while the company conducts a search for Byron's successor.
Most concert venues warn attendees that they can be filmed
It's easy to miss, but most concert venues have signs informing the audience that they could be filmed during the event. Look for them on the walls when you arrive and around the bar areas or toilets. It's common practice especially when bands like to use performances for music videos or concert films.
The venue in this case, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, also has a privacy policy online which states: "When you visit our location or attend or participate in an event at our location, we may capture your image, voice and/or likeness, including through the use of CCTV cameras and/or when we film or photograph you in a public location.'
Once captured, a moment can be shared widely
"They probably would have got away with it if they hadn't reacted,' said Alison Taylor, a clinical associate professor at New York University's Stern School of Business. And by the time the alleged identities emerged on social media, it hit a classic nerve around "leaders acting like the rules don't apply to them', she added.
Still, Taylor and others stress how quickly such a video can lead to an Internet search to find the people involved – and note that it's important to remember that such "doxing' isn't just reserved for famous people. Beyond someone simply spotting a familiar face and spreading the word, technological advances, such as the rising adoption of artificial intelligence, have made it easier and faster overall to find just about anyone in a viral video today.
"It's a little bit unsettling how easily we can be identified with biometrics, how our faces are online, how social media can track us – and how the Internet has gone from being a place of interaction, to a gigantic surveillance system,' said Mary Angela Bock, an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism and Media. "When you think about it, we are being surveilled by our social media. They're tracking us in exchange for entertaining us.' – AP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Abang Johari: Federal-state ties remain strong for Sarawak's progress
MIRI: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has reiterated that the close cooperation between the state and federal governments would continue in the common interests of both the country and Sarawak. He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, which he leads, appreciates the cooperation currently enjoyed between the state and the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "In fact, at the federal level, Sarawak is represented by a deputy prime minister, namely Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, in addition to other ministers from Sarawak," he said in his speech at the Sarawak Day celebration here yesterday. He expressed confidence that Sarawak's efforts to achieve greater prosperity would not undermine the wider national objective of advancing the country's overall development. He said the increase in Sarawak's revenue, particularly through the Sarawak Sales Tax (SST), would not diminish the country's revenue as the federal government has sufficient avenues to boost national income without burdening the people. Abang Johari said the GPS government would continue to fight for Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through ongoing negotiations with Putrajaya. "Sarawak has successfully regained nine rights under MA63 and the GPS government will continue its efforts to restore all rights that have been eroded over the years," he said. He noted that Sarawak started as a state with many shortcomings and widespread poverty, especially in rural areas, during the formation of Malaysia. "Now we are grateful that Sarawak's economy has shown very encouraging growth," he said, adding that last year Sarawak recorded its highest ever revenue of RM14 billion compared to RM13.3 billion in 2023. He said this year he had presented the largest budget in Sarawak's history amounting to RM15.8 billion, opening up opportunities for a more inclusive economy. "Under the powers provided by the Federal Constitution, the state has begun to enjoy more of its oil and gas revenues through the SST imposed on petroleum products as well as through profit sharing between Petronas and Petros," he said. The premier said the World Bank had recognised Sarawak as a high-income region for three consecutive years since 2022 based on a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of RM73,100 (US$17,000) in 2024, a figure that surpasses the threshold of RM63,800 (US$15,000) set by the bank. He said this status had placed Sarawak in fourth position after the Kuala Lumpur and Labuan and Penang, surpassing Selangor. He said the state government would continue to ensure Sarawak's resources are given added value through the creation of downstream industries, particularly in the oil and gas sector, guided by the long-term Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR). He expressed confidence that when fully implemented within 10 years the SGR would attract investments worth RM300 billion and generate RM120 billion in output from the product and service chain. "New industries will also be created, especially in the renewable energy sector, to generate up to 15,000 megawatts of energy by 2035, not only for domestic consumption but also for export to Asean countries," he said.
Malaysia Sun
2 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Analysts foresee policy shifts to fuel EV market competition in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Analysts have foreseen intensified competition for electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia amid policy changes in the country. Research house BIMB said in a note on Monday that Malaysia's EV market is approaching a key policy turning point, with the government expected to end completely built-up (CBU) import tax exemptions and the Approved Permit (AP) regime by year-end. "This decision will likely shape the direction of the market -- either accelerating liberalization and inviting more aggressive price competition or maintaining a controlled environment that protects local players," said the research house. BIMB noted that the policy outcome will not only affect the pace of EV adoption and pricing dynamics, but also influence the competitiveness of local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ongoing completely knocked down (CKD) investment strategies, and the overall outlook for the automotive sector. Hong Leong Investment Bank also highlighted in its note on Tuesday that it expects continued stiff competition for the 100,000 ringgit (23,624 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 ringgit price segment in Malaysia due to normalizing of consumer demand and aggressive new launches and sales campaigns. However, it foresees the EV segment in Malaysia continuing to gain momentum with a 4.6 percent market share in the first half. It also noted that the new customized incentive mechanism (NCM) is expected to materialize by the fourth quarter of 2025, in place of the current industrial linkage program (ILP). The NCM is being structured to encourage OEMs to expand localization activities at the local vendor level and thereby increase the ability of local suppliers to produce higher-value components. Further incentives are also being considered for EVs, in order to promote the development of this new technology in the local automotive ecosystem. Meanwhile, Kenanga Research in a note on Tuesday expects more favorable incentives from the Malaysian government, which has set a national target for EVs and hybrid vehicles of 20 percent of total industry volume (TIV) by 2030 and 38 percent by 2040. Kenanga opined that Malaysia's new vehicle sales will be supported by new battery EVs (BEVs) that enjoy sales and service tax (SST) exemptions and other EV facilities incentives up until 2025 for CBUs and 2027 for CKDs. While the exemption of import and excise duties for CBU EVs has partly driven EV adoption, RHB Investment Bank opined that it is unlikely to get extended beyond end-2025, as it thinks the government's focus will now be on attracting OEMs to manufacture and assemble their EVs locally, as CKD EVs will continue to enjoy a tax holiday until end-2027. According to the research house, an extension of the tax holiday for CBU EVs would be counter-productive for incentivizing OEMs to establish local production facilities. "While we expect EV numbers to continue picking up in the coming months, growth in market share is likely to remain moderate due to structural headwinds -- high pricing and limited availability of charging infrastructure. As such, EVs are unlikely to influence overall TIV in the near term," it said in its note on Tuesday.
Hype Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
Inspired By Divers & Runners, New Collabs From SOAR x Altra & Ama x Salomon Are Forces Of Nature!
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: collab drops are always among the most exciting products to get a hold of, not only for the exclusivity of having them, but also for their unconventional creativity and design. You never know what to expect when two great minds or companies join together – and these pairs exceed all expectations! SOAR x Altra Trail Gear Collection Altra and SOAR, two titans of the running world, recently came together to create a new collection. Thanks to SOAR's love of high-performance clothing and Altra's knowledge of footwear, the two have put together a comprehensive trail racing system that maximises performance capabilities. Reportedly 'engineered for speed, protection, comfort, and control,' this line was tested by top athletes and features race-day equipment that can withstand the heat, long distances, and rough terrain. The pair's interpretation of the Mont Blanc Carbon is the capsule's focal point. A sole unit that combines a full-length carbon plate for propulsion with a dual-density midsole and Vibram outsole is one of the many features that make these trail shoes race-ready. Its vibrant 'Prism' style complements the clothing by fusing white with a range of hues and acknowledging the two through co-branding. The Trail Race Top, a featherlight top with UPF 50 protection at the shoulders and upper arms, is the first piece of the rest of the racing system. Additionally, it has ultralight mesh at the torso and panels that are resistant to abrasion. The coordinating lightweight cap complements this. The pair's Trail Race Shorts, which are made using RHEON, a reactive superpolymer created using NASA technology, complete the collection. In response to running's impact, it stiffens to absorb energy and then relaxes for comfort. Integrated storage and a waistband-free design highlight comfort. SOAR x Altra's collab collection is available now via SOAR, Altra, and select specialty shops. The Mont Blanc Carbon trail shoes cost US$260 (~RM1,099), while the clothing ranges from the Printed Run Cap for US$65 (~RM274) to the Trail Race Top for US$200 (~RM846) and the Trail Race Shorts for US$285 (~RM1,205). Ama x Salomon XT-Whisper Void By consistently reinventing the silhouette and growing its universe through innovative new partnerships and colourways, Salomon's XT-Whisper continues to be a top choice for the footwear brand. In a collaboration with her creative agency, I Came Home Late Studios, British singer-songwriter Ama has joined forces with Salomon to offer the Ama x Salomon XT-Whisper Void. The redesigned Whisper comes in a whimsical colourway of Vanilla Ice, Fusion Coral, and Emberglow. Each colour design has a deeper meaning that is inspired by the sea and the bravery of Japanese 'Ama' divers, who have been plunging into the ocean for centuries to collect pearls. Seaweed green appropriately honours the greenery that resides beneath the undercurrents, coral orange symbolises 'a flash of life—vivid, raw, and the same shade that warms the gloves of the divers,' and white speaks to the 'treasure sought in silence.' In terms of functionality, the new collaborative Whisper Void has an Agile Chassis system that guarantees stability, support, and grip in addition to the traditional Sensifi™ and Quicklace precision fit. 'Number one (reason to wear Salomon) is functionality, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you're a fashion girl, there's nothing more annoying than having shoes that don't feel good,' Ama explained in a press statement. She further discussed her personal affinity for the brand, as it served as the core footing for the collaborative venture. The Ama x Salomon XT-Whisper Void is available now at Salomon's official and other websites. The pair is retailing for US$170 (~RM719).
