Andy Byrne Resigns as CEO of Astronomy Following Viral Concert Incident
Andy Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of New York-based technology firm Astronomy, has officially resigned from his position following the circulation of a video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert. The resignation was confirmed by the company in a public statement issued on Saturday.
According to the statement, Byrne tendered his resignation voluntarily, and it was accepted by the company’s board of directors. Astronomy emphasized its continued dedication to the principles and organizational culture that have defined its operations since inception.
“The leaders of Astronomy are expected to exemplify the highest standards of behavior and accountability,” the company stated. “Recent events have not aligned with those standards.”
The incident that led to heightened public scrutiny occurred at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, during a Coldplay concert, where Byrne and Christine Cabot, Astronomy’s Chief People Officer, appeared on the venue’s “kiss cam.” In the video, Byrne quickly exited the frame while Cabot covered her face. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, addressing the moment during the show, quipped, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re really embarrassed,” drawing further attention to the scene.
In response, Astronomy initiated a formal internal review. While Byrne has not released a public statement, various comments attributed to him began circulating online. The company later issued a clarification, stating that all such statements were fabricated and not endorsed by Byrne or the company.
Following Byrne’s departure, Astronomy co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pat DeJoy has been appointed interim CEO. The company’s leadership webpage has been updated to reflect this transition, and Byrne’s LinkedIn profile has since been deactivated. Despite stepping down as CEO, Byrne will retain his seat on the company’s board of directors.
