If Apple needed the best possible cover to announce that both mini-Steve Jobs and its head of retail strategy are leaving the firm, it got it courtesy of Frankenstorm and a market that will be closed for at least another 24 hours. We are looking forward to the analyst spin on this. As the head of the firm's iOS development (Scott Forstall) and the head of the firm's retail division (John Browett - a 5-month veteran!) have left the firm. Full bullish statement on the bright future of the company below but one can't help but feel like the guy responsible for the Maps fiasco just got thrown under the bus; and if the stores are doing so well, why is the head of retail out on his ear? Apple was already trading down around 0.65% in European trading this morning pre-announcement- this surely cannot help.
- *APPLE SVP IN CHARGE OF IOS SOFTWARE FORSTALL TO LEAVE COMPANY
- *APPLE'S HEAD OF RETAIL JOHN BROWETT LEAVING COMPANY :AAPL US
- *APPLE SAYS CUE TO TAKE ON ADDED RESPONS. OF SIRI AND MAPS
- *APPLE SAYS FORSTALL TO ADVISE CEO TIM COOK IN INTERIM :AAPL US
Apple Announces Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services
Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi Add Responsibilities to Their Roles
Business Wire
CUPERTINO, Calif. -- October 29, 2012
Apple® today announced executive management changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company’s world-class hardware, software and services teams. As part of these changes, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.
“We are in one of the most prolific periods of innovation and new products in Apple’s history,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The amazing products that we’ve introduced in September and October, iPhone 5, iOS 6, iPad mini, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch, iPod nano and many of our applications, could only have been created at Apple and are the direct result of our relentless focus on tightly integrating world-class hardware, software and services.”
Jony Ive will provide leadership and direction for Human Interface (HI) across the company in addition to his role as the leader of Industrial Design. His incredible design aesthetic has been the driving force behind the look and feel of Apple’s products for more than a decade.
Eddy Cue will take on the additional responsibility of Siri® and Maps, placing all of our online services in one group. This organization has overseen major successes such as the iTunes Store®, the App Store?, the iBookstore? and iCloud®. This group has an excellent track record of building and strengthening Apple’s online services to meet and exceed the high expectations of our customers.
Craig Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X®. Apple has the most advanced mobile and desktop operating systems, and this move brings together the OS teams to make it even easier to deliver the best technology and user experience innovations to both platforms.
Bob Mansfield will lead a new group, Technologies, which combines all of Apple’s wireless teams across the company in one organization, fostering innovation in this area at an even higher level. This organization will also include the semiconductor teams, who have ambitious plans for the future.
Additionally, John Browett is leaving Apple. A search for a new head of Retail is underway and in the interim, the Retail team will report directly to Tim Cook. Apple’s Retail organization has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level who will continue the excellent work that has been done over the past decade to revolutionize retailing with unique, innovative services for customers.