A tech company CEO has resigned following controversy surrounding a video captured on the big screen at a Coldplay concert.
Andy Byron has resigned from his position as CEO of Astronomer, the company announced in a statement posted on LinkedIn on Saturday.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding.
“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the company stated.
The resignation comes a day after Astronomer announced that Mr. Byron had been placed on leave and the board of directors had initiated a formal investigation into the viral incident.
The video clip, taken at Coldplay’s concert on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, shows a man and a woman embracing and smiling. The man’s arms are around the woman, and she is leaning back into him.
Upon seeing themselves on the Jumbotron, the woman appeared shocked, covering her face with her hands and turning away from the camera. The man also quickly moved out of the camera’s view, followed by the woman.
Lead singer Chris Martin had asked the camera operators to scan the crowd for his “Jumbotron Song,” during which he improvises lyrics about the individuals highlighted on the screen.
“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” he joked at the time.
Internet users identified the man as the CEO of a U.S.-based company, and the woman as its chief people officer.
Pete DeJoy, Astronomer’s co-founder and chief product officer, has been appointed as interim CEO while the company searches for Mr. Byron’s permanent replacement.
