More change at Apple [AAPL] as, exercising its contingency plans, the company has added a sprinkle of Disney magic while elevating board member, Arthur Levinson to a new role as chairman of the board.
Magic touch?
Disney magic? Key to the new M.O. is the adoption of Disney President and CEO, Bob Iger to the Apple board. In a press release, company CEO, Tim Cook, explains:
"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board. His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."
In the Apple statement, Iger states: "Apple has achieved unprecedented success by consistently creating high quality, truly innovative products, and I am extremely pleased to join the board of such a wonderful company..
"Over the years, I have come to know and admire the management team, now ably led by Tim Cook, and I am confident they have the leadership and vision to ensure Apple’s continued momentum and success."
[ABOVE: Bob Iger]
Seeking the vision thing
That focus on leadership and vision is critical.
It is part of Apple's response to critics who remain fearful that with the departure of Jobs the thousands of intelligent people who populate the Apple empire will lose their way.
The company is trying to show that it will not, though there's no doubt stakeholders at all levels are aware that only time will tell.
The additional element is that Apple's board now includes a leading light in the content creation industry. As Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Munster explains to Business Week: "They’re trying to shore up the Disney relationship or strengthen that relationship because it’s an important part of where Apple is going." [Hint: Apple may plan further adventures in the movie and TV sectors.]
Reaching the media
Iger was critical to the sale of Pixar to Disney and also to Apple's move to offer video via iTunes, Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography confirms.
When Apple announced its intent to offer TV shows, Iger joined Jobs on stage and said: "One of the things Steve and I are incredibly excited about is the intersection between great content and great technology."
The biography also reveals the complexity of the deal Iger and Jobs struck. Iger did his sums to confirm the need Disney had for Pixar, and in negotiations, put his cards on the table fast.
Discussing the deal they reached, Jobs told Isaacson: "That's why I just loved Bob Iger. He just blurted it out. Now that's the dumbest thing you can do as you enter a negotiation, at least according to the traditional rule book. He just put his cards on the table....I immediately liked the guy because that's how I worked too."
It will be interesting to see if Iger can deliver such qualities of leadership in the absence of his foil, Jobs.
[ABOVE: Levinson explains Roche takeover to Genentech employees.]
A trusted friend
When Steve Jobs stepped down from the CEO role, he became the company’s Chairman. Levinson has now taken Jobs’ seat, following the much-lamented death of the company co-founder on the day after the company introduced the iPhone 4S. Levinson's elevation is interesting in a few ways, particularly in light of Jobs' stated battle against Google and Android.
Levinson's Apple loyalty was most questioned in 2009. At that time a member of both the Apple and Google boards, he abandoned the search giant to stick with Apple.
Announcing the new board chairman, Cook put it thus: "Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000. He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders."
Levinson is chairman of Genentech, Inc. and a member of the Roche Board of Directors. He joined Genentech as a research scientist in 1980, and served as Genentech’s Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2009.
Levinson was someone who Jobs turned to when he agonized over treatment for the cancer that claimed him.
Like many sufferers, it took Jobs time to accept the intrusive nature of cancer treatment. Levinson was one of the friends of Jobs who pushed for surgery, rather than dietary solutions, saying, "You cannot solve this without surgery and blasting it with toxic chemicals."
That loyalty will now guide the company at the highest level.
Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when these items are published here first on Computerworld.
Magic touch?
Disney magic? Key to the new M.O. is the adoption of Disney President and CEO, Bob Iger to the Apple board. In a press release, company CEO, Tim Cook, explains:
"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board. His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."
In the Apple statement, Iger states: "Apple has achieved unprecedented success by consistently creating high quality, truly innovative products, and I am extremely pleased to join the board of such a wonderful company..
"Over the years, I have come to know and admire the management team, now ably led by Tim Cook, and I am confident they have the leadership and vision to ensure Apple’s continued momentum and success."
[ABOVE: Bob Iger]
Seeking the vision thing
That focus on leadership and vision is critical.
It is part of Apple's response to critics who remain fearful that with the departure of Jobs the thousands of intelligent people who populate the Apple empire will lose their way.
The company is trying to show that it will not, though there's no doubt stakeholders at all levels are aware that only time will tell.
The additional element is that Apple's board now includes a leading light in the content creation industry. As Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Munster explains to Business Week: "They’re trying to shore up the Disney relationship or strengthen that relationship because it’s an important part of where Apple is going." [Hint: Apple may plan further adventures in the movie and TV sectors.]
Reaching the media
Iger was critical to the sale of Pixar to Disney and also to Apple's move to offer video via iTunes, Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography confirms.
When Apple announced its intent to offer TV shows, Iger joined Jobs on stage and said: "One of the things Steve and I are incredibly excited about is the intersection between great content and great technology."
The biography also reveals the complexity of the deal Iger and Jobs struck. Iger did his sums to confirm the need Disney had for Pixar, and in negotiations, put his cards on the table fast.
Discussing the deal they reached, Jobs told Isaacson: "That's why I just loved Bob Iger. He just blurted it out. Now that's the dumbest thing you can do as you enter a negotiation, at least according to the traditional rule book. He just put his cards on the table....I immediately liked the guy because that's how I worked too."
It will be interesting to see if Iger can deliver such qualities of leadership in the absence of his foil, Jobs.
[ABOVE: Levinson explains Roche takeover to Genentech employees.]
A trusted friend
When Steve Jobs stepped down from the CEO role, he became the company’s Chairman. Levinson has now taken Jobs’ seat, following the much-lamented death of the company co-founder on the day after the company introduced the iPhone 4S. Levinson's elevation is interesting in a few ways, particularly in light of Jobs' stated battle against Google and Android.
Levinson's Apple loyalty was most questioned in 2009. At that time a member of both the Apple and Google boards, he abandoned the search giant to stick with Apple.
Announcing the new board chairman, Cook put it thus: "Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000. He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders."
Levinson is chairman of Genentech, Inc. and a member of the Roche Board of Directors. He joined Genentech as a research scientist in 1980, and served as Genentech’s Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2009.
Levinson was someone who Jobs turned to when he agonized over treatment for the cancer that claimed him.
Like many sufferers, it took Jobs time to accept the intrusive nature of cancer treatment. Levinson was one of the friends of Jobs who pushed for surgery, rather than dietary solutions, saying, "You cannot solve this without surgery and blasting it with toxic chemicals."
That loyalty will now guide the company at the highest level.
Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when these items are published here first on Computerworld.
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