Scott Forstall, the Apple executive who lead the creation of iOS and was then kicked out the company in 2012, says he’s not staying mad at Apple.
In a recent interview about the Broadway play he’s producing, Forstall addressed his split with Apple for the first time since leaving the company after the disastrous launch of Apple Maps. Rather than cheering for Google and Apple’s other competitors though, Forstall told the Wall Street Journal he’s ‘delighted’ that Apple is still making beloved products.
Asked about the split, Mr. Forstall said he was “so proud of the thousands of people I worked with [at Apple] and with whom I remain friends. I am delighted that they continue to turn out great and beloved products.”
Despite being one of Steve Jobs’ favorite employees, Forstall was forced out of Apple after he refused to sign a public apology letter mismanaging the launch of Apple Maps. Since leaving Apple, the software guru has been contributing to philanthropic projects, and advising Snapchat.
The move to Broadway came as a surprise to Apple fans who assumed Forstall would create his own startup or join the likes of Google or Samsung, but Forstall says he made the jump to producing plays thanks to his connection to Metallic drummer Lars Ulrich.
While attending Ulrich’s 50th birthday bash in 2013, Forstall met seasoned Broadway producer Carole Shorenstein Hays, who gave him a script of “Fun Home.” Forstall loved the script so much that he wrote her a check, and now “The Forstalls” are listed as co-producers on the playbill.
Forstall says he’s not just signing checks to finance the play though. “When I start working on something, I dive in completely,” he told WSJ. He’s taken a hands on approach with the marketing by unifying the play’s hashtag across all social media channels. Scott also created a geofence for Snapchat so anyone taking pics from that platform within the Broadway theater can create a composite photo that has the show’s logo on it.
So far the move to Broadway is paying off big time. Early reviews of Fun Home have been glowing with praise, and it was just nominated for 12 Tony awards in April.
Source: Wall Street Journal
