Apple Shareholder Meeting Notes: iPhone, iTunes Movies, Jobs' Successor

MacRumors · 05:14 PM

Apple held their annual shareholder meeting today. MercuryNews provides some notes on the meeting. Investors passed a proposal asking the company to allow investors to have an advisory vote on executive compensation.

Quote:

"It's a great vote," said Scott Adams, a research coordinator at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a member of the AFL-CIO, which sponsored the proposal. Even though Apple is "a great company, shareholders still want a say on pay," he added.

The board can choose to accept or ignore the proposal. In general the mood seems to have been positive, with a few common questions being addressed:

- Jobs and executives, of course, would not comment on future products or plans.
- Jobs confirmed that they were expecting to sell 10 million iPhones in 2008.
- Apple does plan on offering the iPhone in China and India "one day".
- Jobs stated he is "not happy about" the fact that they were unable to meet the 1000 movies on iTunes goal by the end of February. Jobs blamed the delay on movie studios getting the necessary approvals from various rights holders of each film.
- Regarding Steve Jobs' successor, he sees many possible candidates amongst Apple's current executives.

Quote:

"We've got great talent, and I think the board would have a few really good choices," said Jobs, 53. "We talk about that a lot." Candidates include Cook and Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, he said.

Article Link

stagi · Mar 4, 2008, 05:04 PM

Too bad no dividend or stock buy back, they need to put some of that cash to work

lazyrighteye · Mar 4, 2008, 05:04 PM

Seems if Chinese and Indian markets were iPhone-centric, that 10 million mark would be in Apple's rear view mirror. Almost instantly.

FakeWozniak · Mar 4, 2008, 05:10 PM

I wonder if they are accepting applications for the future opening. I'll wait

mogzieee · Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM

"Steve Job's Successor"

What is he retiring or something!?!?!

chr1s60 · Mar 4, 2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzieee

"Steve Job's Successor"

What is he retiring or something!?!?!

Not right away, but I would imagine that within the next 10 years he will step down. When you are looking for a replacement for such a high power position it takes many years to find the right one and it's never too early to start looking. The day Steve goes will be a sad day, regardless of who replaces him.

jonharris200 · Mar 4, 2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzieee

"Steve Job's Successor"

What is he retiring or something!?!?!

Succession planning is quite normal for any large company.

I think the big mistake would be to look for a Steve Jobs clone - he is one of a kind.

Thankfully though Steve has imprinted innovation on the DNA of the company. Even with a very different personality at the top, those core values run deep enough to see Apple through, as and when the time eventually comes.

I don't expect Steve to step down any time soon.

fluidedge · Mar 4, 2008, 05:42 PM

i too think SJ will be around for a bit, even when he goes he might still hold the chairman title or something and he'll probably still be on the board of directors. He'll still be involved with Apple, they'd be silly to just sever ties when he retires.

zombitronic · Mar 4, 2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonharris200

Succession planning is quite normal for any large company.

I think the big mistake would be to look for a Steve Jobs clone - he is one of a kind.

Thankfully though Steve has imprinted innovation on the DNA of the company. Even with a very different personality at the top, those core values run deep enough to see Apple through, as and when the time eventually comes.

I don't expect Steve to step down any time soon.

Ive does look like jobs a little...but I don't think they have the same personality. From what I hear, Ive is kinda shy. If he could get over that, I think I'd rather see him giving future keynotes than one of the suits. He's got that artistic charisma.

Cassie · Mar 4, 2008, 05:54 PM

I've gotta be honest. I won't shed a tear when Jobs leaves. I truly believe his usefulness at Apple is coming to an end, and I think he knows this too.

rhpixelfreak · Mar 4, 2008, 06:42 PM

Ive would be cool but obviously there's more to that job than giving four keynotes a year so it's a little silly to say "Ive looks cool so he should be the one"

That said, he's probably very smart and able to direct Apple but I imagine Steve Jobs knows what he's talking about.

cameronjpu · Mar 4, 2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

Ive does look like jobs a little...but I don't think they have the same personality. From what I hear, Ive is kinda shy. If he could get over that, I think I'd rather see him giving future keynotes than one of the suits. He's got that artistic charisma.

My crazy thought was... how about someone like Laurence Fishburne for CEO, and let the others run the company?

They need someone who can make a splash in front of a crowd at the top, and lets face it, that's pretty rare among CEO types

Bubba Satori · Mar 4, 2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzieee

"Steve Job's Successor"!?!?!

PygmySurfer · Mar 4, 2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For anyone who doesn't know, that's Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP.

EagerDragon · 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzieee

"Steve Job's Successor"

What is he retiring or something!?!?!

That worries me, how much will the stock tank right after he announces he is retiring?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pukey

Oh come on, I think the obvious choice doesn't work at Apple now. We all know it's got to be the other Steve.
Steve Ballmer that is.

That will be the answer for those always complainig about Apple turning into another Microsoft, LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

I think the wicket witch of the west is more attractive than her.

Quillz · Mar 4, 2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogzieee

"Steve Job's Successor"

What is he retiring or something!?!?!

No, but there's always a chance he could just randomly die tomorrow, as much as anyone else could. Corporations plan their future decades in advance, and obviously Jobs isn't going to live forever, so it's not unusual at all for corporations to plan successors for the current CEO.

It's just like how the Constitution has an amendment that explains who will succeed who if the president died or w/e...

Mykbibby · Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM

Nice to know it wasn't Apple's fault with the 1,000 movies.

And when Jobs is not happy, things happen!

uNext · Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM

No plans to offer dividends or buy back stock.

That sucks ohh well.

Off to buy more AAPL they are at a sale price.

Much Ado · Mar 4, 2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uNext

No plans to offer dividends or buy back stock.

That sucks ohh well.

Off to buy more AAPL they are at a sale price.

If you're buying more stock at this price then why do you want a buyback?

thejadedmonkey · Mar 4, 2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Much Ado

If you're buying more stock at this price then why do you want a buyback?

a buyback shows confidence, and usually increases the price of the stock.

timmillwood · Mar 4, 2008, 05:30 PM

I would hate to see Jobs go?

I think Phil Schiller or Johnny Ive will be the best!

bommai · Mar 4, 2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmillwood

I would hate to see Jobs go?

I think Phil Schiller or Johnny Ive will be the best!

Actually Jobs mentioned Tim Cook or Peter Oppenheimer. While Schiller and Ive are good they are not good chief executives. Tim Cook has a lot of experience and he ran Apple when Jobs underwent cancer surgery three years ago.

fluidedge · Mar 4, 2008, 05:32 PM

Jobs successor has to be Jonathan Ive doesn't it?!

He represents everything that is cool about apple, not some overweight financial executive who may have the knowledge/experience to run Apple, but wouldn't quite be the face we'd like to see giving the keynote at MW would he?

Ive would be my choice.

MrT8064 · Mar 4, 2008, 05:35 PM

Yeh Ive would be great, but i'm worried that he doesnt seem all that public, we hardly ever seem him interviewed or on camera.

but still; Ive is VERY cool!

psychofreak · Mar 4, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluidedge

Jobs successor has to be Jonathan Ive doesn't it?!

He represents everything that is cool about apple, not some overweight financial executive who may have the knowledge/experience to run Apple, but wouldn't quite be the face we'd like to see giving the keynote at MW would he?

Ive would be my choice.

He so far has not been given the opportunity to speak to a crowd about Apple, which kinda goes against the possibility. Then again, Jobs' thoughts often don't seem logical...

Mar 4, 2008, 05:04 PM	#2
stagi macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006	Too bad no dividend or stock buy back, they need to put some of that cash to work __________________ -- Mark Check out our photography blog \| http://digitalphotobuzz.com Fine Art Wedding Photography Follow me on Twitter

Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM	#5
mogzieee macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oxford, UK.	"Steve Job's Successor" What is he retiring or something!?!?! __________________ 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz, 8GB iPod touch, 1GB iPod shuffle, MobileMe. website. blog. twitter.

Mar 4, 2008, 05:54 PM	#10
Cassie macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maybe a better place, soon...	I've gotta be honest. I won't shed a tear when Jobs leaves. I truly believe his usefulness at Apple is coming to an end, and I think he knows this too. __________________ MR's PPC Fangirl eMac 1.42 GHz - 10.5 iBook G3 300 MHz - OS 9 StickLife \| Flowers

Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM	#17
Mykbibby macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Springs, CA	Nice to know it wasn't Apple's fault with the 1,000 movies. And when Jobs is not happy, things happen! __________________ Mac Soda: Quenching Your Thirst for Everything Apple

Mar 4, 2008, 05:30 PM	#21
timmillwood macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Abergavenny, Wales, UK	I would hate to see Jobs go? I think Phil Schiller or Johnny Ive will be the best! __________________ Macbook Pro 17" Core 2 Duo iPhone 8GB O2 My blog -www.millwoodonline.co.uk

Mar 4, 2008, 05:04 PM	#3
lazyrighteye macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Denver, CO	Seems if Chinese and Indian markets were iPhone-centric, that 10 million mark would be in Apple's rear view mirror. Almost instantly.

Mar 4, 2008, 05:10 PM	#4
FakeWozniak macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2007	I wonder if they are accepting applications for the future opening. I'll wait

Mar 4, 2008, 05:42 PM	#8
fluidedge macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007	i too think SJ will be around for a bit, even when he goes he might still hold the chairman title or something and he'll probably still be on the board of directors. He'll still be involved with Apple, they'd be silly to just sever ties when he retires.

Mar 4, 2008, 06:42 PM	#11
rhpixelfreak macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2006	Ive would be cool but obviously there's more to that job than giving four keynotes a year so it's a little silly to say "Ive looks cool so he should be the one" That said, he's probably very smart and able to direct Apple but I imagine Steve Jobs knows what he's talking about.

Mar 4, 2008, 05:13 PM	#18
uNext Banned Join Date: Aug 2006	No plans to offer dividends or buy back stock. That sucks ohh well. Off to buy more AAPL they are at a sale price.

Mar 4, 2008, 05:32 PM	#23
fluidedge macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007	Jobs successor has to be Jonathan Ive doesn't it?! He represents everything that is cool about apple, not some overweight financial executive who may have the knowledge/experience to run Apple, but wouldn't quite be the face we'd like to see giving the keynote at MW would he? Ive would be my choice.

Mar 4, 2008, 05:35 PM	#24
MrT8064 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Exeter, UK	Yeh Ive would be great, but i'm worried that he doesnt seem all that public, we hardly ever seem him interviewed or on camera. but still; Ive is VERY cool! __________________ Alu iMac - Alu MacBook - PowerMac G3 - iPod Nano My Site

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