Astronomer, a data company based in New York, faces leadership changes following a viral incident that occurred during a Coldplay concert in Boston on July 16. Additional scandals The company’s board of directors have since initiated a formal investigation into the incident. It was a very moving exchange between Andy Byron, the company’s CEO, and Kristin Cabot, their chief people officer.
The event gained widespread national attention once video footage surfaced. It caught Byron and Cabot embracing on the jumbotron, although they both immediately dropped out of frame once they realized they were on camera. To add to the experience, Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, gave commentary throughout the moment, playfully enticing the crowd with his goofball commentary.
“Oh, look at these two. All right, come on, you’re OK. Uh oh, what?” – Chris Martin
On July 19, the Astronomer posted the news of Andy Byron’s resignation from his post. Instead, his board of directors soon rubber-stamped his decision. The situation became even more dire when Kristin Cabot quickly followed suit with her own resignation a few days later. As of yesterday, she is not with the company anymore.
In a statement addressing the incident and the resignations that followed, Astronomer doubled down on the pledge to uphold corporate culture and code of conduct. The company addressed the expectations placed on its leaders, stating:
“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
The viral video depicting Byron and Cabot’s reaction to being highlighted on the kiss cam has ignited discussions among online commenters, who identified the pair as central figures in this unexpected controversy.
Byron and Cabot have been mum ever since the explosion. Yet their departures mark a turning point in Astronomer’s leadership. The board’s investigation into the matter continues as they navigate the implications of this incident for the company’s culture and reputation.
