Roger Fingas
It was announced on Monday that Apple CEO Tim Cook will receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization's 2015 "Ripple of Hope" award at a New York ceremony on Dec. 8.
The award "lauds leaders of the international business, entertainment, and activist communities who demonstrate commitment to social change and reflect Robert Kennedy's passion for equality, justice, basic human rights, and his belief that we all must strive to 'make gentle the life of this world'," according to the organization's official website.
Other people set to receive the award this year include UNESCO ambassador Marianna Vardinoyannis, U.S. Congressman John Lewis, and Evercore co-founder Roger Altman.
Cook is a big financial backer of RFKHR. For three years, Cook has auctioned off lunch meetings with the goal of sending proceeds to the organization — this year's package, also including two VIP passes to an Apple keynote, generated over $200,000.
The CEO has been a vocal supporter of causes like gay rights, workplace diversity, and renewable energy. The company continues to take flak for poor wages and working conditions at its Chinese suppliers, but under Cook has also committed to making gradual improvements.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
13 Comments
You know, I would prefer Tim Cook got an award for making the best ultrabooks. That crown has passed for the time being to their competitors. Could it be Tim Cook is more focussed on social issues than running the business?
Congrats Tim! Note: careful investigation will reveal whether the great things Tim has done for the world are INSTEAD of or IN ADDITION to his CEO duties. I won't spoil the answer :)
You know, I would prefer Tim Cook got an award for making the best ultrabooks. That crown has passed for the time being to their competitors. Could it be Tim Cook is more focussed on social issues than running the business?
Sorry, but anyone who thinks the CEO of ANY consistently successful mega-corporation works out details for any PR/social issue activity, has no grasp on how corporations work. Some people have valid complaints about products, services, sales, stock value, employee treatment, foreign labor, patent theft and defense thereof, layout of retail stores and on and on, but to assume those issues are there because the CEO endorses certain causes (also endorsed by Google, Microsoft and others) is a misunderstanding of management. Some people certainly disagree with some social causes as well, and have the right to express their dislike of cases, but bundling their concern with management diligence doesn't hold up in the real world.
That worked out well for the Eloi.
Could it be Tim Cook is more focussed on social issues than running the business?
No, it couldn't.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11959016/Apple-reports-biggest-annual-profit-in-history.html
This should be obvious, because it's so self-evident.
You can employ as many sneaky leading questions as you like, but you'd still just be trolling. And poorly at that.