Bold play | 'Kiss cam' firm Astronomer spins HR disaster into PR win with Gwyneth Paltrow video

Beseiged tech company Astronomer has managed to turn the recent unexpected controversy which lead to the resignation of its CEO and CPO into a PR win, with an impromptu video from Gwyneth Paltrow, actress and former wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Last week, the company nearly broke the internet with the unwanted attention created by footage of its erstwhile CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in a clinch at a Coldplay concert, which was caught on a 'Kiss Cam' style camera. The panicked couple ducked out of sight, immediately bringing attention to the illicit nature of their relationship, and causing Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, to comment: “Oh, what...either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

A TikTok of the footage subsequently went viral, racking up over 120 million views and prompting allegations of an affair, endless memes, and all manner of individuals and organizations including Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Tesla and even the New York City Department of Sanitation chipping in.

Read more from us

Viral Kiss Cam | Astronomer's CEO & HR Chief were filmed embracing at a Coldplay concert - then the internet went wild

Some 48-hours later, Byron resigned from his post, with the firm issuing a rather earnest statement, that said: "As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”