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Entertainment behind the scenes
Hollywood ponders Jobs-lessness
(Writing and Reporting by Sue Zeidler)
Apple Inc’s Steve Jobs has commanded a leading role in Hollywood for years with his clout and influence in the digital entertainment arena, including Apple’s position as a leading provider of downloads for music and video at its iTunes Web site.
Jobs also sits on the board and is the largest individual shareholder of the Walt Disney Co., having sold his Pixar Animation Studios for stock in the venerable film and TV studio. Now, his exit from the limelight at Apple has left Hollywood abuzz.
The 53-year-old tech icon and pancreatic cancer survivor recently said he was stepping aside temporarily at Apple due to health problems “more complex” than previously thought, leaving studio execs to wonder if negotiating with Apple, famous for its tight control on pricing, could become easier. Or, has Hollywood lost a powerful visionary and advocate for change at a time when it needs to move fast in the shifting digital landscape?
“Jobs’ role was crucial to online music and his role with movie studios could serve as a similar force, in terms of change and their push into the digital living room,” said Gartner Inc analyst Mike McGuire, referring to Hollywood’s ongoing efforts to provide content from the Web to television. For a full story, click here.
