CNN just named Apple’s Tim Cook as CEO of the year. He is recognized for successfully managing the tech giant several years after co-founder/former CEO Steve Jobs passed away. This year Cook brought Apple stocks up 40%, a remarkable feat that proves his naysayers wrong.
CNN also noted Apple’s super successful launches of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Apple never failed to impress fans with each iPhone release, but this year’s Apple phone launch brought a significant moment: the iPhone got larger. Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus saw a size increase, and the latter became the company’s first phablet.
Tim Cook named Person of the Year
Financial Times also named Tim Cook Person of the Year. Cook has had quite an amazing year in terms of career success and personal victories. Last fall, Cook announced he was gay. He wrote in Bloomberg Businessweek, “If hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.”
Other CEOs made CNN’s list, however were later panned over shortcomings. For instance, Microsoft’s chief executive officer Satya Nadella was nixed over his sexist comment. Marissa Mayer (the leader of Yahoo) wasn’t chosen because she did not exactly deserve all the credit for the search website’s successes this year
Taking a job as CEO for any company is tought, but taking over as CEO of a company with a strong record and huge fan base is even tougher. Many people had doubts as to whether Cook would be able to keep Apple relevant but he has proven to go beyond expectations. CNN’s CEO of the Year honor is a great way for Tim Cook to end 2014 on a high note.