Phil Schiller Moving on to Become 'Apple Fellow,' Greg Joswiak Taking Over as Marketing SVP

[Kierkegaarden]

Phil: “I bleed six colors”
Tim: “If it bleeds, we can kill it”

Only kidding. A line from a movie. Phil has contributed nicely to the success of Apple, and I wish him the best. Nothing unusual about wanting to step back a bit at that age. I can’t imagine working at a company like Apple and not have it consume all of my time.

 

[Carnegie]

Actually, I take that back. I reviewed the by-laws earlier today, but I found this Apple Corporate Governance Guideline just now that does state: “A board member may not stand for reelection after age 70, but need not resign until the end of his or her term.”

I don’t know the date of this document though.

http://www.snl.com/interactive/ir/4004205/corp_gov_guid.pdf

The last by-laws I read would have been from the 90s or maybe early 00s. So it’s possible they’ve changed. That document would seem to be pre-2007 as it refers to Apple Computer rather than Apple.

That said, it would seem that rule isn’t currently in effect. Apple has three directors whom were over 70 when they were re-elected earlier this year.

 

[newyorksole]

It seems like the only Apple Fellows were Apple employees prior to Steve rejoining the company. It’s kind of a weird title to give Schiller. Why not just say he’s going to remain at the company as an advisor to Tim Cook?

Exactly. That would be more appropriate.

 

[0128672]

The last by-laws I read would have been from the 90s or maybe early 00s. So it’s possible they’ve changed. That document would seem to be pre-2007 as it refers to Apple Computer rather than Apple.

That said, it would seem that rule isn’t currently in effect. Apple has three directors whom were over 70 when they were re-elected earlier this year.

I just found all of their current documents on the Apple Investor Relations site. I didn’t realize they were on Apple’s site! The current (as of 2018) Governance Guidelines state the age is now 75 after which a director can’t be re-elected:

https://s2.q4cdn.com/470004039/files/doc_downloads/gov_docs/2018.02.12_Corp_Governance_Guidelines.pdf

Leadership and Governance - Apple

investor.apple.com

 

[Carnegie]

I just found all of their current documents on the Apple Investor Relations site. I didn’t realize they were on Apple’s site! The current (as of 2018) Governance Guidelines state the age is now 75 after which a director can’t be re-elected:

https://s2.q4cdn.com/470004039/files/doc_downloads/gov_docs/2018.02.12_Corp_Governance_Guidelines.pdf

Leadership and Governance - Apple

investor.apple.com

Thanks. So that answers that. Without a change, Apple will have significant turnover on its board in the next 5 years. Mr. Bell, Mr.Gore, Mr. Levinson and Mr. Sugar are all over 70.

 

[laz232]

But he’s keeping responsibility for the App Store. What is an Apple Fellow? Seems like a made-up title. Or like when Jony Ive was made Chief Design Officer and then retired a few years later.

Big companies - like IBM and Bell labs, you may know them from UNIX invention of the transistor etc, would have "fellows" as a very senior honorific title. Many professional organisations such as the IEEE also have this title for people that have excelled in a long career of contributions...

 

[Abazigal]

But he’s keeping responsibility for the App Store. What is an Apple Fellow? Seems like a made-up title. Or like when Jony Ive was made Chief Design Officer and then retired a few years later.

The title actually exists.

Apple Fellow

An Apple Fellow is a person who has been recognized by Apple Inc. for their extraordinary technical or leadership contributions to personal computing while at the company. Each Apple Fellow acts as a leader and a visionary, guiding the company in their particular area of expertise. Fellows are...

apple.fandom.com

So it’s not something that was created just so Phil Schiller could step down gracefully. Nor do I think there is any conspiracy regarding the recent antitrust hearings. Likely he just decided that it was time to take a step back, and you don’t want your top talent to just leave like that so as to avoid spooking the markets.

 

[tymeframe]

He's definitely leaving some big shoes to fill.

 

[unQuestionable]

Man...all of the good ones are departing Apple. I don’t know what to think of the company anymore. :/

 

[loby]

I was thinking about him the other day and wondering why he seems kinda silent or off the radar. Well, it’s a good run. Wish him all the best. I think a lot of the leadership at Apple are looking at their exit plans because the realize the company is in good hands and there are fresh minds that can carry the company forward. Phill I believe still had nightmares about the company when it was almost on the brink of bankruptcy. Not anymore that’s for sure.

Phil is one of the last guys after Ive that was part of the "apple comeback" with Steve's during Apple highest era. Remember some years back when Steve passed he (and Ive) wanted to leave Apple?

Apple is doing good and I can guess that Phil knows its time for new and younger blood to take the reins (they have shown they can now). Probably once Ive exited it probably looked like a good time to go. Tim probably too is looking to move on and may be getting burned out as he is more so taking a legal position for apple in these days...but Apple still needs his tricks to keep stockholder's happy.

I am just curious if the legal issues with the App store might have help make for a final decision for a change....

 

[Mr. Dee]

I see Tim going on for another decade with a phased out exit. He likely will feel he has done a good enough job shepherding the company 20 years after the founders passing. What think would be best for Apple is not necessarily to have one CEO after Tim decides to leave. Two CEOs would be appropriate for a company its size, one with a deep technical background and one that has social chops to represent Apple as it becomes diversified. Someone who can basically be an ambassador. From the side, I was thinking maybe Scott Forstall, but its unlikely he would ever be back, but would be a great candidate, while Lisa Jackson could take on the other CEO role, whether thats environmental, social and political issues.

Tim Cook could fill in the role of chairman to help consult and guide where necessary.

 

[travelsheep]

And here we are, millions of Apple Follows. what a difference a single letter makes!

 

[ian87w]

Well, Phil turned 60 in June, so this more looks like a part-time retirement to me.

This. I mean the guy has been with Apple for a long time. He’s human after all, and one cannot deny the passage of time.

 

[ian87w]

.Going forward, Joswiak will be in charge of Apple's product management and product marketing, developer relations, market research, business management, and education, enterprise, and international marketing.

Holy smokes. That’s such a wide job scope. Somehow I feel sorry for Joswiak...

 

[dampfnudel]

Eddy’s days are counted.

View attachment 940493

Steve’s arms are really long.

 

[quietstormSD]

Glad he had the "courage" to step aside. /s.

For real though, his enthusiasm on the stage during keynotes will be missed. Just seemed like a fun guy that was really passionate about what he was talking about and not that fake kind of passion.

 

[ErikGrim]

Super passionate, incredibly switched on guy that's been instrumental in making Apple what it is today. I've missed him in the last events, and I'll miss him going forward. Highlight will forever be jumping off a platform to show off AirPort's reliability.

 

[ghanwani]

I think the whole pandemic thing has gotten a lot of long time execs rethinking their priorities. Maybe they don't like being on zoom calls 10 hours a day.

 

[surfnode]

I guess he cannot innovate his a** anymore.

have some respect ✊ dude!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Ok - so what the hell is an Apple fellow?

Sounds like a demotion to my ears

--

Shame because I feel like Phil (and Craig, of course) are the only charismatic passionate people on stage

Probably already mentioned ... but he's an executive Alumni ... probably the first living Alumni of Apple Executives that still works for the company. Woz probably is in secret and not 'documented' but he still loves Apple despite loosing some marbles due to his plane crash from sudden wealth way back.

I had a feeling that due to COVID-19 and no mention or inkling of Phil before and during WWDC that he either may retire yet most likely would be wanting to 'spend more time for family, friends, and personal projects' .

Phil definitely bleeds six colours - always has, always will. His work, loyalty and gusto in global marketing definitely shows that despite the transition of 4 different CEO's during his tenure, 5 CEO's if you count Steve Jobs' return. I'll bet only a VERY few handful of Apple employees have lasted long enough to count that many CEO's while they worked there as well (including Employee #8).

 

[DeepIn2U]

Strange move. Not so much for Joswiak taking his position, but just the whole transition of Schillers departure is....weird to say the least.

Sorry it is strange for Jozwiak. He's barely been doing much in the public eye of Apple over so many years. I've always felt his role was redundant for a VERY long time. I still see that a lot in the upper 3 levels at Apple and it's very wasteful of mindshare, financial resources and lack of pushing for more inspired employees to contribute more at that level.

Think about it. How many times have you ...
Seen Jozwiak on-stage or any press documentation for Apple?
Jozwiak introducing the iPad with Pencil after the iPad Pro was mentioned ... seems lame even at a school event for Apple in NY. Really it didn't need that it was a nice to show off due to the other mentionable for teachers and students.
For years Jozwiak was an unknown - you may see his name at the bottom of some print here and there for a press release (2000-2014).

 

[Bandaman]

He has done a great job and I always looked forward to seeing him on stage every year.

He was terrible on stage and kept forgetting to tuck in his shirt.

 

[malkovich87]

Ok - so what the hell is an Apple fellow?

Sounds like a demotion to my ears

--

Shame because I feel like Phil (and Craig, of course) are the only charismatic passionate people on stage

It means that he's out. But as long as he keeps wearing his Apple Watch, he's still allowed to call himself a fella.
[automerge]1596612214[/automerge]

He was terrible on stage

So is Cook - but he's not, so far, been "promoted" to fella status.

 

[recoil80]

Perhaps my favourite Apple exec after Craig Federighi. I'll miss his presence on stage during product announcements, but at 60 I guess he just want to have more time for his family and hobbies. He sure made a lot of money during his years at Apple, time to spend them and enjoy life.

 

[MacRazySwe]

I will miss him for sure! I hope this isn’t health related, I was a bit concerned over his last appearance on stage.

He’s definitely worthy of a nice retirement. Time to enjoy those hard earned bucks, Phil!