After a number of tweets from Tim Cook over the past month, other executives at Apple have grown increasingly worried about the company’s CEO.
Three weeks ago Cook posted the following tweet without explanation.
Many assumed Cook would be following up with an announcement of record Apple services revenue, a new initiative in services revenue or some kind of services bundling deal, but no announcement was forthcoming.
Then, a week later, Cook tweeted:
As one of Cook’s go-to phrases on Apple’s quarterly conference calls with analysts, many did not take it as particularly odd, other than the capitalization indicating that he was shouting it.
Then things got weird.
On June 15th Cook tweeted:
This prompted a scramble within Apple PR and Legal as teams fielded questions from journalists and government officials while Cook was reportedly golfing, an activity no one knew he undertook.
Finally, things came to a head yesterday.
On a group video call late Tuesday, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Katherine Adams and Senior Vice President of Retail and People Deirdre O’Brien shared their concerns.
“What the actual hell?” Adams asked as the three joined the call.
“I don’t know,” an exasperated Schiller said.
“Do you think he meant ‘Mac fever’?” O’Brien asked.
“I have no idea!” Schiller shouted. “He’s totally off book here! And golf? That’s my thing! Everyone knows that!”
“Did he look sort” Adams hesitated. “You know… bronzed… on the last call we were on?”
“YESSS,” O’Brien exclaimed, her eyes widening.
“Oh, my god, totally,” Schiller added.
The executives vowed to keep an eye on Cook and keep notes on his increasingly erratic behavior in case they wanted to write a tell-all book on working with him after leaving Apple.
I started reading this item in my feed reader without noticing what website it was from. I was momentarily… alarmed. 🙂
Good stuff.
I think you mean “FIRST”.
He might be the… First person not to do that?
No regrets.
I have broken protocol! My sincerest apolovefe.
Sorry I can’t rightly say “first” any more, because this comment is now eighth. I’ll leave it for the historians to debate.
Same! Also fourth .
Fifth/quinto
No sense of tradition.
Sikth.
Like the band. Only less screamy.
Where are Nxxx, Ace and Steve, eh? Lightweights.
I pronounce myself King of the Gigapost.
All other posts must abase themselves before me.
Verrily.
All your post are belong to us!
Idon’tknowTH
Macfeve!
Right up there with “Technology! Whiskey! Sexy!”
Oh, and Sixth!
I guess BroMu posted a microsecond before me…
#macfeve
You snooze you lose, Steve.
And I should know.
Very good I agree with you
It hurts!
I was the first and BEST one to comment on this. Every on who thinks else is A LIAR! ….
Sorry I am late to the party. I was snoozing, and losing. I feel so refreshed and invigorated — you should try it sometime!
Now, about Mr. Cook. Has he started holding his cup with both hands? Afraid of ramps? If he wore a mask I wouldn’t be so concerned, but it could be a pernicious infection…
Maybe it’s the #macfeve…
What are Schiller et al supposed to do? Cook has already been impeached (by Forbes contributors).
Thanks for the article!
Awesome!
I’m like lol Given how much money he’s cashed in lately I don’t think he is slightly bothered…
21st! I did it!
BTW, thanks for this site over the years. Any chance of a new post?
22nd