I just read Dan Lyons story backpeddling from his ‘toolness’ on CNBC regarding Steve Jobs. I find it funny that he is calling Steve Jobs the corporate version of Barak Obama and that he can’t do anything wrong.
Dan writes: “The fact is, in the eyes of the media, Apple is the corporate equivalent of Barack Obama—a company that can do no wrong. Even in Silicon Valley, where much of the press corps are pretty much glorified cheerleaders (think of all those slobbering cover stories about the Google guys) Apple’s kid-gloves treatment stands out. Reporters don’t just overlook Apple’s faults; they’ll actually apologize for them, or rationalize them away. Ever seen reporters clapping and cheering at a press conference? Happens all the time at Apple events.”
Steve Jobs deserves the credit and respect sure he had the Yes We Can attitude but that was a decade ago. Steve Jobs slogan is now “Yes We Did” and “We Continue To Do”. Apple is a superior company because of the leadership of Steve and his team. Barak is embarking on that path. We will see how he does (so far it looks good). Obama is far from “Yes We Did” slogan.
Dan has it so wrong on the media. Steve Jobs gets rakes across the coals all the time not on his performance as a CEO and leader (since it is stellar) but on his privacy.
Here are some more “gems of toolness” from Dan Lyons … “Imagine what it might be like if the Church of Scientology went into the consumer electronics business, and you’d have a pretty good picture of how Apple operates.”… “That’s what happened to the poor guy at CNBC. Sure, he got his share of “exclusive” 10-minute spots with Steve Jobs. You can find them on YouTube. They look like training videos for a correspondence course on bootlicking. Now, of course, the CNBC guy says he’s outraged. He sputters about how Apple has been irresponsible and “deplorable.” His pals at Apple won’t care. They’re already moving on to the next useful idiot. Among the Silicon Valley press corps there is no shortage of them.”
Silicon Valley Technology Blog - John Furrier 
It’s kind of hard to say something negative about a CEO whose company has 15B cash in the bank coming in to 2009 and who introduces two products that dominate new categories. (ipod AND iphone)
I’m not a mindless cheerleader, but I can’t help but cheer on occasion.
Well said Troy. Apple is the shining light in this depressed economy. Stockholders made money and employees are working.
Corporate communications is not a competitive strategy but instead it’s the products that matter and that translate to profit. Unlike many companies who try to ‘sizzle without any steak’ Apple has the ‘steak’ and the sizzle takes care of itself.
It’s hard not to cheer for Apple.
Excellent comment!