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Refreshing Changes (1/28/99)
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How many of Apple's problems during the "scary years" were directly attributable to the board of directors? People can argue over whether they were actively detrimental or simply ineffectual, but one thing's for sure: they sure weren't helping matters much. That's why the biggest news at Steve Jobs' August 1997 keynote address was not the "alliance" with Microsoft, but rather the complete overhaul of the Apple board, with Jobs himself instated as chairman. And according to Robert Morgan's latest RFI Report, Apple's taken some steps to help ensure that the board doesn't stagnate again in the future.
In Apple's proxy statement, filed earlier this week with the SEC, it's revealed that the company has "amended its articles of incorporation" in a manner that changes the way that board members are retained. Instead of being assigned and then sticking around until they decide to leave, all board members must now be re-elected on an annual basis; every year, each board member runs the risk of being voted out the door if he or she has been neglecting Apple's best interests. With a little luck, this measure ought to keep the board minty-fresh and on its toes. Sounds good to us.
Now, given Mr. Jobs' reputation for fairly Machiavellian behavior in these matters (here's a few words you can string together in your spare time: Amelio, ousted, shown the door, sayonara), it's not hard to imagine that this change is his attempt to stack the board in his favor and create a puppet regime. On the other hand, controversial as many of his decisions may have been, few will argue that he's turned the company around in a major way, so we figure it's worth the risk. And heck, right now it looks like Steve can do no wrong, but what's to say that in the future he won't burst a blood vessel and decide that the new Apple direction will be Wintel systems and quiescently-frozen dessert snacks? This new policy means the rest of the board can dump Steve, too, if it comes to that. All in all, we like it. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to grab a couple of Popsicles.
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SceneLink (1303)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 1/28/99 episode: January 28, 1999: Sony finally sues emulation wizards Connectix for their nifty new Virtual Game Station product. Meanwhile, for those of you still trying to unravel the mysteries of Apple's Super Bowl advertising plans, a TBWA/Chiat/Day exec tells all, and the Apple board of directors may never be the same again, thanks to a new annual re-election requirement...
Other scenes from that episode: 1301: And The Battle Begins (1/28/99) Listen... Did you hear that? That was the sound of the other shoe dropping. Ever since Connectix unveiled its remarkable "Virtual Game Station" Playstation emulator at the Macworld Expo a few weeks ago, Sony has made no attempt to mask its displeasure... 1302: Just Pre-Game Jitters (1/28/99) Are you one of those people who has been constructing elaborate theories about why Apple bought a Super Bowl ad spot, then tried to sell it off at the last minute, and finally decided to use it to show their year-2000-themed HAL 9000 commercial-- previously designated as an "Internet-only" ad?...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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