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Company makes big call on CEO on kiss cam

The company which employed the executives caught canoodling on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert has made a major call.

Tech company Astronomer has placed its chief executive on leave after he appeared to be filmed embracing the company’s head of HR, Kristin Cabot, at a Coldplay concert.

Astronomer said in a statement Friday that CEO Andy Byron was placed on leave and that Pete DeJoy, cofounder and chief product officer, was interim CEO.

“We will share more details as appropriate in the coming days,” the company said in a statement on X.

Earlier, the company confirmed it launched an investigation into the matter.

The incident, which has since gone global, occurred at the British super group’s gig in Boston, USA, on Wednesday.

The camera zoomed in on the couple happily in a romantic embrace. But their faces turned from contentment to horror when they realised the whole stadium could see them. Both then fled, making concert-goers wonder why they were so determined not to be seen.

Mr Byron is the CEO of a billion-dollar New York based AI and data company Astronomer while Ms Cabot is the company’s chief human resources officer.

One X user claimed that Mr Byron’s wife had dropped her married name from her Facebook profile, and didn’t restrict people from making comments.

Her page was flooded with users reacting to the Coldplay concert clip before she deleted her profile.

She had multiple images on her social media of her and her husband and two teenagers presumed to be their sons.

Ms Cabot is not married.

Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot were caught canoodling on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Picture: TikTok
Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot were caught canoodling on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert in Boston. Picture: TikTok

Company launches investigation

On Friday, US time, Astronomer said it had started a “formal investigation” following the furore.

“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” a statement on LinkedIn stated.

“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.

“The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”

The company stressed the only employees at the concert were the pair after claims they were with fellow staff.

“Andy Byron has not put out any statement, reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.”

That last point was apparently in reference to a slightly too convincing mea culpa supposedly from Mr Byron.

The moment the couple realised they were on camera. Picture: TikTok
The moment the couple realised they were on camera. Picture: TikTok
They then fled in different directions. Picture: TikTok
They then fled in different directions. Picture: TikTok

That statement talked of wanting to “sincerely apologise to my wife, my family, and the team at Astronomer” but also berated the concert organisers for how “troubling” it was that a “private moment became public without my consent”.

Astronomer’s communications director, Taylor Jones, confirmed to Men’s Journal the apology “is not a real statement”.

The false statement’s origins can be traced to an X account of a person claiming to be a CBS journalist named... Peter Enis.

The page is labelled a parody account, with the bio indicating the name is a phallic pun.

Andy Byron CEO of the AI-centric New York firm Astronomer. Picture: Astronomer
Andy Byron CEO of the AI-centric New York firm Astronomer. Picture: Astronomer
Astronomer is now looking into the two employees’ conduct. Picture: LinkedIn.
Astronomer is now looking into the two employees’ conduct. Picture: LinkedIn.

Many companies have polices that forbid or have strict disclosure obligations around relationships that involve senior staff amid concerns the employees further down the ladder could feel pressured into them.

Then CEO of McDonalds Steve Easterbrook resigned in 2019 after he admitted to a consensual relationship with an employee below him violating company policy.

It’s not known if Astronomer has a policy in that regard.

In the video, now viral worldwide, Ms Cabot covered her face and turned her back while Mr Byron ducked out of view, prompting laughter from the crowd.

Mr Byron appears to mutter, “F***ing hell, it’s me”, before disappearing from view.

“Oh, what?” Coldplay front man Chris Martin said as the scenes were played out to the concert goers.

“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” he added.

Originally published as Company makes big call on CEO on kiss cam

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/music/tours/company-launches-investigation-after-executives-caught-canoodling-in-coldplay-kiss-cam/news-story/b01fb8976df1882d76d2f1e5996dc6f6