Who is the most important executive at Apple, Inc.?

PhiladelphiaX · Dec 10, 2012, 02:02 AM

Who is the most important executive at Apple, Inc.? In other words, which person is the most crucial to the future success of Apple as a company?

What's your reasoning behind why you consider them the most important executive?

Tim Cook: Chief Executive Officer
Eddy Cue: Internet Software/Services
Craig Federighi: iOS/Software engineering
Jonathan Ive: Industrial Design/Human Interface
Bob Mansfield: Technologies
Peter Oppenheimer: Chief Financial Officer
Dan Riccio: Hardware/Component Engineering
Philip Schiller: Worldwide Marketing/Advertising
Jeff Williams: Operations

Discuss!

SomeDudeAsking · Dec 10, 2012, 02:27 AM

Steve Jobs.

tymaster50 · Dec 10, 2012, 02:33 AM

Tim Cook because he has the final say and he runs the company? Easy question.

SnowLeopard OSX · 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tymaster50

Tim Cook because he has the final say and he runs the company? Easy question.

The question is not an "easy question" because it's subjective in nature. I'd argue that Jony Ive is the most important executive at Apple -- he's responsible for two huge roles at Apple right now. The product design and the UI/UX on the iOS.

I'd say Jony Ive is by far the most important executive at Apple, Tim Cook is perhaps the most "powerful" executive at Apple, but not the most important.

Beeplance · Dec 10, 2012, 04:03 AM

I'm more towards iOS than Mac OSX so forgive me. A year earlier, I would've chose Scott Forstall because I like the way iOS is progressing (besides the Maps fiasco). Right now, I'll go with Craig Federighi. Jony Ive is important as well for the hardware part.

And of cos, majority would agree that Apple would be better hands if Steve Jobs was still alive and helming the company.

P.S. I've never actually seen the Peter Oppenheimer guy before in any of the keynotes.

roadbloc · Dec 10, 2012, 08:56 AM

I'd say Cook since he is their CEO.

iHailCarlo · Dec 10, 2012, 11:43 AM

Tim Cook followed by Jony Ive.

dukebound85 · Dec 10, 2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard OSX

The questions is not an "easy question" because it's subjective in nature. I'd argue that Jony Ive is the most important executive at Apple -- he's responsible for two huge roles at Apple right now. The product design and the UI/UX on the iOS.

I'd say Jony Ive is by far the most important executive at Apple, Tim Cook is perhaps the most "powerful" executive at Apple, but not the most important.

If Ive was the most important, wouldn't he have been the successor to jobs?

chown33 · Dec 10, 2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeDudeAsking

Steve Jobs.

The ghost of Steve Jobs.

TFTFY.

bjm2660 · Dec 10, 2012, 12:02 PM

Fascinating that Ive is so far ahead.

RSL · Dec 10, 2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukebound85

If Ive was the most important, wouldn't he have been the successor to jobs?

Did you ask him if he wants to run Apple?

dukebound85 · Dec 10, 2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSL

Did you ask him if he wants to run Apple?

How is that relevant?

It is ultimately the decision of the board to pick who they would best feel would run Apple. Tim Cook was their man and that is telling of the importance

MacsRgr8 · Dec 10, 2012, 12:34 PM

Hmm.. I voted for Ive.

Might be fun to alter the question slightly: which person might be missed most?

designs216 · Dec 10, 2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukebound85

If Ive was the most important, wouldn't he have been the successor to jobs?

Ive was one of the rare individuals Steve held high regard (a short list indeed). Perhaps Jobs originally offered the office to Ive but there were too many headaches and very little design. The slight raise probably wouldn't even be enough to pull him away...

ChristianJapan · 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iHailCarlo

Tim Cook followed by Jony Ive.

How do you mean "follow"

Follow as in: 1st important is CEO and 2nd important Head of Design
O
follow as in: Ive become new CEO ?

Beside that I put a wrong answer in: finally I think I've is most important as he will develop with his team ooh ow Apple's products will look like; second would be Federighi as he need to ensure a stable realization of Ive's design in SW.

Mrbobb · Dec 10, 2012, 01:07 PM

Tell you what, if you are a Jobs' Protege, the man is no longer around to shield you. Nobody is indispensable. Cook is in charge, unless he does something dumb like HP's Mark Hurd (woman), or Yahoo's Scott Thompson (lied), or Lockheed's Christopher Kubasik (woman again).

SnowLeopard OSX · 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukebound85

If Ive was the most important, wouldn't he have been the successor to jobs?

It's been noted on several occasions that Steve Jobs wanted Ive to succeed him in running the company -- Ive respectfully declined. He said he didn't want to be the CEO, but instead he wanted to remain the "product guy". Steve was so much closer to Jony Ive than he was to Tim Cook, Scott Forstall or anyone else at the executive level of the company. Jobs referred to Ive as his spiritual partner at Apple, Inc. This is a direct quote from Steve Jobs' wife, Laurene Powell:

"Jony had a special status," ... "He would come by our house, and our families became close. Steve is never intentionally wounding to him. Most people in Steve’s life are replaceable. But not Jony."

Steve, along with others (including Jony himself) felt that while Jony had the most well-crafted understanding of what Apple is, how it should be run, and the direction it should be headed, promoting him to CEO would maybe divert his attention from what he does great -- that being designing Apple products. CEO is more of a strategic leadership position. Tim Cook promoted Jony Ive to hold responsibility for both industrial design as well as UI/UX (user interface and user experience). That oughtta say a lot about who has more value and importance to the company - not necessarily power - there's a difference between the two.

Here's another Steve Jobs quote:

"He [Jony Ive] has more operational power than anyone else at Apple except me. There’s no one who can tell him what to do, or to butt out. That’s the way I set it up."

Full story here: http://www.businessinsider.com/jony-ive-2012-10

Mrbobb · Dec 10, 2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard OSX

"He [Jony Ive] has more operational power than anyone else at Apple except me. There’s no one who can tell him what to do, or to butt out. That’s the way I set it up."

Full story here: http://www.businessinsider.com/jony-ive-2012-10

But he doesn't want the CEO job.

CEO is for people who are "into" the business and are into leading other people. Ive may just be happy designing things. Yes he has (had) been given a lot of power. The Designer is king at Apple as they say.

RSL · Dec 11, 2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukebound85

How is that relevant?

Gee, it's a great board that picks a guy for CEO who doesn't want to run a company.

Zwhaler · Dec 11, 2012, 12:40 AM

I voted Tim Cook ... obviously Jony Ive is extremely important but the future of the company rests on Tim, and if it fails, it will be because of his leadership.

bigjobby · Dec 11, 2012, 05:30 AM

All the execs are as important as each other but its up to Cook to correctly configure the organisation and its outputs to maximise the potential of its synergies. If that makes any sense.

MonkeySee.... · Dec 11, 2012, 05:39 AM

I look at that list and think if one of those died which would have the most impact. That has to be Ive, so that's where my vote went.

Rogifan · Dec 27, 2012, 06:42 AM

Apple released its preliminary proxy statement today. Jony Ive is the only SVP not listed as an executive officer in the filing. Anyone know why? I just find it interesting because after the recent management shakeup many suggested he was the most important exec at Apple. He clearly seems to have plenty of power within the company, so it seems odd he wouldn't be listed as an exec officer. I'm assuming his salary and stock options are similar to his fellow SVPs? Unless its because he's not a US citizen?

View Poll Results: Who is the most important executive at Apple, Inc.?
Tim Cook - CEO	13	24.53%
Eddy Cue - Internet Software/Services	1	1.89%
Craig Federighi - iOS/Software Engineering	1	1.89%
Jonathan Ive - Industrial Design/Human Interface	33	62.26%
Bob Mansfield - Technologies	1	1.89%
Peter Oppenheimer - CFO	0	0%
Dan Riccio - Hardware/Component Engineering	1	1.89%
Philip Schiller - Global Marketing/Advertising	2	3.77%
Jeff Williams - Operations	1	1.89%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

Dec 10, 2012, 02:02 AM	#1
PhiladelphiaX macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	Who is the most important executive at Apple, Inc.? Who is the most important executive at Apple, Inc.? In other words, which person is the most crucial to the future success of Apple as a company? What's your reasoning behind why you consider them the most important executive? Tim Cook: Chief Executive Officer Eddy Cue: Internet Software/Services Craig Federighi: iOS/Software engineering Jonathan Ive: Industrial Design/Human Interface Bob Mansfield: Technologies Peter Oppenheimer: Chief Financial Officer Dan Riccio: Hardware/Component Engineering Philip Schiller: Worldwide Marketing/Advertising Jeff Williams: Operations Discuss!
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 04:03 AM	#5
Beeplance macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Singapore	I'm more towards iOS than Mac OSX so forgive me. A year earlier, I would've chose Scott Forstall because I like the way iOS is progressing (besides the Maps fiasco). Right now, I'll go with Craig Federighi. Jony Ive is important as well for the hardware part. And of cos, majority would agree that Apple would be better hands if Steve Jobs was still alive and helming the company. P.S. I've never actually seen the Peter Oppenheimer guy before in any of the keynotes. __________________ -iPhone 3GS white 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPhone 3GS black 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPod Touch 4G white 32GB iOS 6.1
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 08:56 AM	#6
roadbloc macrumors 603 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK	I'd say Cook since he is their CEO. __________________ Roadbloc
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 12:34 PM	#13
MacsRgr8 macrumors 604 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Netherlands	Hmm.. I voted for Ive. Might be fun to alter the question slightly: which person might be missed most? __________________ Steve Jobs. 1955 - 2011. My Hero.
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 02:27 AM	#2
SomeDudeAsking macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2010	Steve Jobs.
	5

Dec 10, 2012, 02:33 AM	#3
tymaster50 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New Jersey	Tim Cook because he has the final say and he runs the company? Easy question.
	2

Dec 10, 2012, 11:43 AM	#7
iHailCarlo macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012	Tim Cook followed by Jony Ive.
	1

Dec 10, 2012, 12:02 PM	#10
bjm2660 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Virginia	Fascinating that Ive is so far ahead.
	0

Dec 10, 2012, 01:07 PM	#16
Mrbobb macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2012	Tell you what, if you are a Jobs' Protege, the man is no longer around to shield you. Nobody is indispensable. Cook is in charge, unless he does something dumb like HP's Mark Hurd (woman), or Yahoo's Scott Thompson (lied), or Lockheed's Christopher Kubasik (woman again).
	0

Dec 11, 2012, 12:40 AM	#20
Zwhaler macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Final Cut Pro	I voted Tim Cook ... obviously Jony Ive is extremely important but the future of the company rests on Tim, and if it fails, it will be because of his leadership. __________________ Mac Pro + Galaxy Note 2 Check Out My YouTube Channel~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
	1

Dec 11, 2012, 05:30 AM	#21
bigjobby macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London, UK	All the execs are as important as each other but its up to Cook to correctly configure the organisation and its outputs to maximise the potential of its synergies. If that makes any sense. __________________ iPod Classic 1G, iPod Nano 1G, not so latest G MacBook Pro 15" & iPhone.
	0

Dec 11, 2012, 05:39 AM	#22
MonkeySee.... macrumors 68040 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK	I look at that list and think if one of those died which would have the most impact. That has to be Ive, so that's where my vote went. __________________ iMac - iPhone - iPad - Apple TV - AirPort Extreme Phil Dunphy: Always keep the rhythm in your feet and a little party in your shoulders.
	1

Dec 27, 2012, 06:42 AM	#23
Rogifan macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2011	Apple released its preliminary proxy statement today. Jony Ive is the only SVP not listed as an executive officer in the filing. Anyone know why? I just find it interesting because after the recent management shakeup many suggested he was the most important exec at Apple. He clearly seems to have plenty of power within the company, so it seems odd he wouldn't be listed as an exec officer. I'm assuming his salary and stock options are similar to his fellow SVPs? Unless its because he's not a US citizen? __________________ I love Apple products but am not a Steve Jobs fanboy
	0


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