Former Apple retail head Angela Ahrendts joins Airbnb's board of directors
Apple's recently-exited retail VP, Angela Ahrendts, on Thursday joined the board of directors for home rental giant Airbnb.
Ahrendts is just the third independent person to join the board after former Pixar CFO Ann Mather and former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, CNBC said. Airbnb is preparing for an initial public offering that could happen later in 2019.
Airbnb cited Ahrendts' work in "building community among customers" at Apple as something that would help it going forward.
Much of Airbnb's success is likely attributable to Apple, since many renters and guests alike make use of the company's app for iPhones and iPads, though of course an app is also available for Android.
Ahrendts left the company in April, to be replaced by Deirdre O'Brien. Though Ahrendts was highly-paid, receiving some $26.5 million in compensation last year, she reportedly upset a "finely tuned balance" with her efforts to transform stores into "town squares" and luxury showrooms instead of places designed to speed people through shopping and tech support.
O'Brien has had to hit the ground running, touring global locations and opening Apple Carnegie Library in D.C.
Ahrendts is just the third independent person to join the board after former Pixar CFO Ann Mather and former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, CNBC said. Airbnb is preparing for an initial public offering that could happen later in 2019.
Airbnb cited Ahrendts' work in "building community among customers" at Apple as something that would help it going forward.
Much of Airbnb's success is likely attributable to Apple, since many renters and guests alike make use of the company's app for iPhones and iPads, though of course an app is also available for Android.
Ahrendts left the company in April, to be replaced by Deirdre O'Brien. Though Ahrendts was highly-paid, receiving some $26.5 million in compensation last year, she reportedly upset a "finely tuned balance" with her efforts to transform stores into "town squares" and luxury showrooms instead of places designed to speed people through shopping and tech support.
O'Brien has had to hit the ground running, touring global locations and opening Apple Carnegie Library in D.C.
Comments
She accomplished no such thing, glad she's gone.
She seemed like s genuinely nice person with a heart for people and the skill to being touched of reality to what can be a cold, soulless marketplace.
However, Apple wasn’t a good fit. Apple has kind of had a way about it that gave a human touch to tech and it accomplished this by badically getting out of the way.
Angela basically pushed things on you. Kind of like s girlfriend or a mom would, knowing it would be beneficial. but in this case, it didn’t mix well.
At any other company, even another tech co. Like Microsoft, she’d thrive.
Just not Apple or Google.
Tim saw greatness in her. I think he probably saw correctly. But that greatness wasn’t meant to be realized at Apple.
She tried to use a social, community based model (like the suburban malls exploited back in the 80's and 90's).
But Apple customers are product centric -- they're there for the product, not the socialization or to kill time.
It will be good to see the Apple Stores returning to supporting the customers and their products with technical support, advice, education, etc., etc., etc., ....
(And, oh yeh, if you want to buy something while you're there, they will still be happy to sell it to you!)
I agree. Apple stores have become completely soulless. I miss the first Apple Stores with the squishy chairs in the kids section around the "flower power" and "polka dot" imacs and the grass looking carpeting. And the Think Different posters of cultural icons.
Now when I go to an Apple Store I can't wait to leave.