Astronomer HR Chief Resigns Following Viral Coldplay Incident
Resignation of Kristin Cabot
Astronomer, a technology firm based in the United States, has confirmed the resignation of Kristin Cabot, the Chief People Officer. This announcement comes shortly after she and the former CEO, Andy Byron, were featured on a 'kiss cam' during a Coldplay concert. Although the company has not provided a detailed public statement regarding her exit, they did inform the BBC that Cabot is no longer part of the organization.
Leadership Changes at Astronomer
On July 20, Astronomer announced Byron's resignation, with co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy taking over as interim CEO. The company has initiated a formal search for a new Chief Executive Officer.
Company's Focus and Response
Astronomer specializes in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence. The firm acknowledged the significant media attention surrounding the viral incident but reassured that their core business operations remain unaffected.
Internal Investigation and Public Reaction
Although the company did not directly reference the viral video, they announced that Byron would be placed on leave pending an internal investigation.“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO,” the company stated.
The Coldplay Concert Incident
During a recent Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston, lead singer Chris Martin engaged the crowd with a playful 'kiss cam' segment. The camera captured Byron and Kristin Cabot in an intimate moment, leading them to react with surprise and embarrassment as they attempted to hide from the camera. Martin humorously remarked, “Oh look at these two… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” which elicited laughter from the audience and ignited a heated discussion on social media.