Tim Cook Makes Shortlist for TIME's 2012 Person of the Year

MacRumors · Dec 18, 2012, 05:07 PM

TIME today unveiled its shortlist of people who are being considered for TIME's annual Person of the Year Award. Apple CEO Tim Cook is on the list, as well as Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.

The Person of the Year award is given to "a person, couple, group, idea, place, or machine" that has "for better or for worse done the most to influence the events of the year." TIME's editorial team decides the winner.

The two tech CEOs join notable figures like Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani activist who suffered a head wound after being shot by the Taliban, United States President Barack Obama, Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and the three scientists behind the discovery of the Higgs Boson.

In 2011, Steve Jobs was posthumously nominated for TIME's Person of the Year by NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, but he did not win. He also did not make it to the final shortlist. This year, Cook has worked to bring some production of Apple products back to the United States, and to improve working conditions for factory employees. He also stepped up to accept responsibility for Apple's Maps failure and restructured Apple's management.

The Protestor, a group choice inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian fruit vendor who famously set himself on fire in a public square, received the award in 2011, while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg won in 2010.

TIME's 2012 winner for Person of the Year will be announced tomorrow morning.

Article Link: Tim Cook Makes Shortlist for TIME's 2012 Person of the Year

aerok · 05:41 PM

I wish they didn't nominate any CEOs in the list... It should be reserved to actual heroes of the world that actually thrived to make changes to help humanity without any profit-driven intent.

LagunaSol · Dec 18, 2012, 05:10 PM

I think Cook is doing a great job, but Person of the Year seems premature. Much like Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize his first year in office.

And why in the world would Bill Clinton even be on the consideration list???

samcraig · Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM

Sorry - Tim Cook is arguably a great business man - but he's no Time Person of the Year.

mantan · Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM

Let me get this straight, the article is giving him credit for bringing 200 jobs to the US, encouraging FoxConn to be just a semi-sweat shop instead of full sweat shop and apologizing for the Maps Fiasco and that's worth 'Person of the Year'???

That's flat out laughable.

Patriot24 · Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM

If this award was handed-out by looking at the top Google search terms for the year, Kate Middleton would have easily won.

TIME's "Person of the Year" is really "The USA's Person of the Year", and even that is debatable.

I like Tim, but he's not curing cancer. Methinks we should look elsewhere for our heroes.

dweezle3 · 07:37 AM

In all seriousness though, I don't think Tim has made the jump to the style of management required to put out the world changing products like Steve did. Granted, he's done a great job with what disasters he's had to deal with so far, but hasn't made any unexpected or earth shattering contributions yet. Here's hoping for 2013.

swingerofbirch · Dec 18, 2012, 05:16 PM

Within the US, I'd say the American voter, or possibly Barack Obama. But since I have a US-centric view, I can't comment on who might be more appropriate at a world level, simply because I don't know what's going on worldwide nearly as much as I do in the US. We have the world's largest GDP, but there are about 7 billion people on Earth and each of them has a world within him or her, and many of them live in worlds that are influenced by people I've never heard of.

I guess I'd also wonder if they try to pick someone who promoted free-trade in the past. China's growth has been amazing in that it continues without the boom/bust cycle we're used to, and I assume it's largely because of free trade that wealth will eventually start to equalize worldwide. Wasn't Clinton largely responsible for free trade with China? Maybe he'll get a nod again!

aerok · Dec 18, 2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samcraig

Sorry - Tim Cook is arguably a great business man - but he's no Time Person of the Year.

There might some bias towards Americans but it isn't limited to only Americans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Person_of_the_Year

MisterKeeks · Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM

Why? It will still be quite some time until Apple releases a product that Jobs didn't work with. Cook hasn't had enough time to impact much.

PS- the title is really messed up

Prof. · Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM

So far it's between Gabby Douglas and John Stewart

wonderspark · Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM

I wonder what the criteria is for "Person of the Year."

aerok · Dec 18, 2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderspark

I wonder what the criteria is for "Person of the Year."

Famous for anything apparently

samcraig · Dec 18, 2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerok

Famous for anything apparently

Then I nominate Scott Forstall well before Tim Cook. After all - he's far more "infamous" given Apple Maps and its "failing"

cfs112 · Dec 18, 2012, 05:19 PM

Tim Cook is definitely not on Steve Job's level yet. But I like him and he is perfect as the successor as he has worked with Steve extensively in the past. By no means person of the year though.

FloatingBones · Dec 18, 2012, 05:20 PM

The Yahoo Mail service continues to fail. No CEO of a company should be on the short list if they can't even get their mail servers to work correctly.

Krizoitz · Dec 18, 2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerok

I wish they didn't nominate any CEOs in the list... It should be reserved to actual heroes of the world that actually thrived to make changes to help humanity without any profit-driven intent.

This is not an award or honor. It is not meant to be given to someone for being a hero. The Time Person of the Year is given to the person (or persons) who most influenced events. Past winners have included Hitler and Stalin.and the Ayatollah Khomeini.

Cook and Apple have been significantly impactful and his consideration is fair, although I don't think he should/will win.

mcfrazieriv · Dec 18, 2012, 05:20 PM

I was under the impression that the BTO macs were always finished up in the USA and that elements of the products (glass, parts) were manufactured in the USA. During the interview I heard him saying that he'd "like to see production in the USA" but currently there wasn't the skill set/education to do it?

And why the hell is this one man on the shortlist for person of the year? The company as a whole hasn't done anything spectacular over the last year other than grow products sold/increase their own cash pot

When Steve Jobs was nominated, he was nominated based on years of products he helped to create or dominate industries with. Last I checked, Tim Cook was good with the operations but nothing inspirational or industry revolutionary. Kind of seems these people who nominate are running out of ideas in a dead economy.

Patriot24 · Dec 18, 2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

And why in the world would Bill Clinton even be on the consideration list???

Probably for their philanthropic endeavors.

Like Bill Gates, Bill Clinton has found a second act worthy of praise and attention.

samcraig · Dec 18, 2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krizoitz

This is not an award or honor. It is not meant to be given to someone for being a hero. The Time Person of the Year is given to the person (or persons) who most influenced events. Past winners have included Hitler and Stalin.and the Ayatollah Khomeini.

Cook and Apple have been significantly impactful and his consideration is fair, although I don't think he should/will win.

If it's for the year 2012 - the only "accomplishment" Tim really has under his belt is keeping Apple going and thriving. But isn't that the job of any CEO? Is there something that Tim has done that has put him above everyone else in 2012?

I ask earnestly. Because I can't think of anything.

Mattie Num Nums · Dec 18, 2012, 05:23 PM

Pretty sad that CEO, the people that Obama and the media are fighting against, is a person of the year nominee. You know the 1%. The guys who mark up everything 45%.

Rocketman · 02:09 AM

The criterion for winning is part historical impact and part what sells the most magazines.

As such it is an example of "ratings driving news".

Rocketman

maxwelltech · Dec 18, 2012, 05:24 PM

How could Tim Cook be the Person of the Year if Steve Jobs did not even make it?

Krazy Bill · Dec 18, 2012, 05:26 PM

Cook made the short list?

He looks taller on stage.

pubwvj · Dec 18, 2012, 05:27 PM

Cook is not worthy.

Dec 18, 2012, 05:07 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Tim Cook Makes Shortlist for TIME's 2012 Person of the Year TIME today unveiled its shortlist of people who are being considered for TIME's annual Person of the Year Award. Apple CEO Tim Cook is on the list, as well as Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. The Person of the Year award is given to "a person, couple, group, idea, place, or machine" that has "for better or for worse done the most to influence the events of the year." TIME's editorial team decides the winner. The two tech CEOs join notable figures like Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani activist who suffered a head wound after being shot by the Taliban, United States President Barack Obama, Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and the three scientists behind the discovery of the Higgs Boson. In 2011, Steve Jobs was posthumously nominated for TIME's Person of the Year by NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, but he did not win. He also did not make it to the final shortlist. This year, Cook has worked to bring some production of Apple products back to the United States, and to improve working conditions for factory employees. He also stepped up to accept responsibility for Apple's Maps failure and restructured Apple's management. The Protestor, a group choice inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian fruit vendor who famously set himself on fire in a public square, received the award in 2011, while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg won in 2010. TIME's 2012 winner for Person of the Year will be announced tomorrow morning. Article Link: Tim Cook Makes Shortlist for TIME's 2012 Person of the Year
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:08 PM	#2
aerok macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2011	I wish they didn't nominate any CEOs in the list... It should be reserved to actual heroes of the world that actually thrived to make changes to help humanity without any profit-driven intent. __________________ Kangmlee Photography Facebook Page Flickr #kangmlee Last edited by Doctor Q; Dec 18, 2012 at 05:41 PM. Reason: no need to quote entire news story
	23

Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM	#6
Patriot24 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ	If this award was handed-out by looking at the top Google search terms for the year, Kate Middleton would have easily won. TIME's "Person of the Year" is really "The USA's Person of the Year", and even that is debatable. I like Tim, but he's not curing cancer. Methinks we should look elsewhere for our heroes. __________________ iphone + air + ipad + time capsule + classic + shuffle + tv
	7

Dec 18, 2012, 05:15 PM	#7
dweezle3 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Earth	In all seriousness though, I don't think Tim has made the jump to the style of management required to put out the world changing products like Steve did. Granted, he's done a great job with what disasters he's had to deal with so far, but hasn't made any unexpected or earth shattering contributions yet. Here's hoping for 2013. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro; iPhone 4S Last edited by grapes911; Dec 20, 2012 at 07:37 AM. Reason: removed quote and response to now deleted post
	4

Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM	#10
MisterKeeks macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2012	Why? It will still be quite some time until Apple releases a product that Jobs didn't work with. Cook hasn't had enough time to impact much. PS- the title is really messed up __________________ Core Duo 1.83 Mac Mini, Dual 2.7 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.8 Power Mac G5, Dual 1.25 MDD G4, 1.6 GHz iMac G5, 900 MHz iBook G3, 800 MHz iMac G4, 500MHz iMac G3, 400MHz iMac G3
	2

Dec 18, 2012, 05:10 PM	#3
LagunaSol macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2003	I think Cook is doing a great job, but Person of the Year seems premature. Much like Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize his first year in office. And why in the world would Bill Clinton even be on the consideration list???
	11

Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM	#4
samcraig macrumors G4 Join Date: Jun 2009	Sorry - Tim Cook is arguably a great business man - but he's no Time Person of the Year.
	13

Dec 18, 2012, 05:13 PM	#5
mantan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: By Grabthar's Hammer	Let me get this straight, the article is giving him credit for bringing 200 jobs to the US, encouraging FoxConn to be just a semi-sweat shop instead of full sweat shop and apologizing for the Maps Fiasco and that's worth 'Person of the Year'??? That's flat out laughable.
	8

Dec 18, 2012, 05:16 PM	#8
swingerofbirch macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Amalgamated States of Central North America	Within the US, I'd say the American voter, or possibly Barack Obama. But since I have a US-centric view, I can't comment on who might be more appropriate at a world level, simply because I don't know what's going on worldwide nearly as much as I do in the US. We have the world's largest GDP, but there are about 7 billion people on Earth and each of them has a world within him or her, and many of them live in worlds that are influenced by people I've never heard of. I guess I'd also wonder if they try to pick someone who promoted free-trade in the past. China's growth has been amazing in that it continues without the boom/bust cycle we're used to, and I assume it's largely because of free trade that wealth will eventually start to equalize worldwide. Wasn't Clinton largely responsible for free trade with China? Maybe he'll get a nod again!
	3

Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM	#11
Prof. macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago-ish...	So far it's between Gabby Douglas and John Stewart __________________ This year, everyone I know is getting married. Me? I'd be thrilled to be asked to go to Taco Bell by a semi-attractive male.
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:17 PM	#12
wonderspark macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denver, CO	I wonder what the criteria is for "Person of the Year." __________________ Wait a second... So you're telling me anything that happens in the sky is legal, and there's a giant crime-blimp flying around this place? I don't know how I missed that.
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:19 PM	#15
cfs112 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012	Tim Cook is definitely not on Steve Job's level yet. But I like him and he is perfect as the successor as he has worked with Steve extensively in the past. By no means person of the year though. __________________ 2012 non-retina MBP (16GB RAM, SSD + HDD combo), iPhone 5, iPad Mini, 2007 24" iMac
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:20 PM	#16
FloatingBones macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2006	The Yahoo Mail service continues to fail. No CEO of a company should be on the short list if they can't even get their mail servers to work correctly.
	1

Dec 18, 2012, 05:20 PM	#18
mcfrazieriv macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012	I was under the impression that the BTO macs were always finished up in the USA and that elements of the products (glass, parts) were manufactured in the USA. During the interview I heard him saying that he'd "like to see production in the USA" but currently there wasn't the skill set/education to do it? And why the hell is this one man on the shortlist for person of the year? The company as a whole hasn't done anything spectacular over the last year other than grow products sold/increase their own cash pot When Steve Jobs was nominated, he was nominated based on years of products he helped to create or dominate industries with. Last I checked, Tim Cook was good with the operations but nothing inspirational or industry revolutionary. Kind of seems these people who nominate are running out of ideas in a dead economy.
	1

Dec 18, 2012, 05:23 PM	#21
Mattie Num Nums macrumors 68030 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA	Pretty sad that CEO, the people that Obama and the media are fighting against, is a person of the year nominee. You know the 1%. The guys who mark up everything 45%. __________________ I like Apple stuff but, I am not in the Apple cult.
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:23 PM	#22
Rocketman macrumors 601 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	The criterion for winning is part historical impact and part what sells the most magazines. As such it is an example of "ratings driving news". Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! The President campaigned against Congress. D Sen is led by D Sen ML Reid and D VP and Sen Pres Biden, under orders of D Pres Obama. http://www.gop.gov/indepth/jobs/tracker Last edited by OllyW; Dec 19, 2012 at 02:09 AM. Reason: OT/PRSI
	2

Dec 18, 2012, 05:24 PM	#23
maxwelltech macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California	How could Tim Cook be the Person of the Year if Steve Jobs did not even make it? __________________ MacBook Pro 13 i7 (Mid 2012) w/ 128GB SSD; ThinkPad X301; iPad 4 WiFi 32GB, HTC One 32GB AT&T
	0

Dec 18, 2012, 05:26 PM	#24
Krazy Bill macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2011	Cook made the short list? He looks taller on stage. __________________ We are the iBorg. All your OS X are belong to us.
	4

Dec 18, 2012, 05:27 PM	#25
pubwvj macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mountains of Vermont	Cook is not worthy. __________________ -Walter Jeffries Sugar Mountain Farm Pastured Pigs, Chickens & Kids in the mountains of Vermont http://SugarMtnFarm.com
	2

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