Overview

• Gwyneth Paltrow has been named temporary spokesperson to help manage Astronomer’s reputation following a viral kiss-cam video involving its former CEO and HR director.
• Andy Byron resigned as CEO on July 19 and Kristin Cabot stepped down days later, leaving co-founder Pete DeJoy to lead the $1.3 billion-valued startup on an interim basis.
• Astronomer has launched an internal investigation and is reviewing its ethics policies after the undisclosed executive relationship surfaced publicly.
• Paltrow’s personal connection to Coldplay—her ex-husband Chris Martin inadvertently spotlighted the kiss-cam moment—adds an unusual layer to the company’s public relations effort.
• The incident has renewed debate over privacy and consent in live-event kiss-cam practices and highlighted the challenges of corporate governance in the digital age.