Tech CEO Andy Byron has resigned after being caught in an embrace with his company’s chief people officer at a Coldplay concert.
“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted,” Astronomer said in a statement.
“Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”
Astronomer says it will begin searching for its next chief executive as the company’s co-founder and chief product officer, Pete DeJoy, serves as interim CEO.
Astronomer said its leaders are “expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met”. (TikTok: @Instaagrace)
Mr Byron became embroiled in an internet scandal when a video of him embracing his chief people officer, Kristen Cabot, at a Massachusetts Coldplay concert went viral.
The pair were being filmed by concert crew, with the footage being projected on large screens.
Both Mr Byron and Ms Cabot, who had their arms around each other, became embarrassed, with Ms Cabot covering her face and Mr Byron dropping to the floor.
Coldplay singer Chris Martin can be heard saying, “either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy”.
On Friday, local time, Astronomer announced Mr Byron has been placed on leave.Â
Andy Byron has since been removed from Astronomer’s leadership team on the company website. (Astronomer)
In its announcement of Mr Byron’s resignation, the New York-based tech company acknowledged the viral nature of events.
“Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps space,” Astronomer said.
“While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not.”
Mr Bryon has since been removed from the leadership team on Astronomer’s website but remains visible on the company’s board of directors.
Online reaction
It took just one 15-second video posted to TikTok for the moment to ignite the internet.
Concertgoer Grace Springer was filming the Coldplay gig the moment the camera locked on Mr Byron and Ms Cabot and captured their now-infamous reaction.
She then uploaded the clip to her TikTok account under her username @instaagrace.
As of Saturday morning, the video has been viewed more than 100.4 million times and has garnered 8.9 million likes.
The internet was quick to respond, with countless reactions flooding social media.
Coldplay have gained a reputation for putting on immersive concerts that feature audience participation. (Reuters: Mads File/Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix)
“I don’t know what’s worse. Getting caught cheating or getting caught at a Coldplay concert,” one user wrote on X.
Another wrote: “This story is absolutely unremarkable except in how it managed to combine almost everything it’s socially acceptable to hate brilliantly: HR, Coldplay, cheaters, CEOs, millionaires”.
Ms Springer spared a thought for the partners of Mr Byron and Ms Cabot.
“A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but play stupid games … win stupid prizes,” Ms Springer told UK tabloid The Sun.
“I hope their partners can heal from this and get a second chance at the happiness they deserve with their future still in front of them.
“I hope, for them, my video was a blessing in disguise.”