The viral nature of the video seeks to shift public focus from a scandal involving the company's former CEO embracing another executive at a concert.
Astronomer's Playful PR Maneuver Amid CEO Scandal Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow

Astronomer's Playful PR Maneuver Amid CEO Scandal Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow
A US tech company cleverly addresses a scandal with a humorous promotional video starring Gwyneth Paltrow.
In an audacious move following a scandal that shook the tech industry, Astronomer, a US-based data workflow automation company, has launched a satirical promotional video featuring Hollywood icon Gwyneth Paltrow as a temporary spokesperson. The 60-second clip, released on the company’s X account, creatively addresses the recent upheaval caused by the resignation of its CEO and chief people officer, caught on camera embracing at a Coldplay concert.
Paltrow, who was previously married to Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin, humorously responds to the most pressing questions trending around the incident. The first caption reads, "OMG! What the actual f," prompting Paltrow to affirm, "Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow!" She concludes her remarks by expressing excitement over the newfound interest in data workflow automation, a nod to the company’s core services.
Further engaging with the audience, Paltrow reassures viewers about the company’s resilience, stating that spots are still available for an upcoming tech conference. The video has gone viral, clocking over 27 million views, and has stirred a mixed tide of public reactions.
PR expert Jordan Greenaway commended Astronomer for their clever approach in leveraging the scandal to enhance brand awareness. He highlights that while the public now knows of Astronomer, many remained unaware of its services prior to the incident. Greenaway asserts that the company's humorous response could be strategic in navigating the fallout, especially since the scandal doesn’t detract from the quality of their data services.
He contrasts Astronomer's playful response with other famous scandals, noting that humor can be a double-edged sword. The nature of the embarrassment allows Astronomer to poke fun at the situation without undermining its product integrity, as the scandal primarily concerns the actions of a now-former executive.
As for the ex-CEO Andy Byron, the future looks dimmer. Greenaway emphasizes that Byron’s reputation may suffer more profoundly than that of the company, as his conduct sparked the controversy. Despite the noise, visits to Astronomer's website surged dramatically, with reports indicating a staggering 15,000% increase in traffic since the incident.
Co-founder and interim CEO Pete DeJoy regards the unwanted attention as “unusual and surreal,” but remains positive about the silver lining — Astronomer has now become a household name. The company, established in 2018 and known for its AI-driven services, has provided solutions to high-profile clients, such as Apple and Uber.
In a brief previous statement, Astronomer reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strict culture of accountability and integrity, announcing a formal investigation into the matter. With the Coldplay tour concluding soon, all eyes not only remain on the band but also on the evolving narrative of Astronomer as it transitions to clearer skies ahead amidst its scandal.
Paltrow, who was previously married to Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin, humorously responds to the most pressing questions trending around the incident. The first caption reads, "OMG! What the actual f," prompting Paltrow to affirm, "Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apache Airflow!" She concludes her remarks by expressing excitement over the newfound interest in data workflow automation, a nod to the company’s core services.
Further engaging with the audience, Paltrow reassures viewers about the company’s resilience, stating that spots are still available for an upcoming tech conference. The video has gone viral, clocking over 27 million views, and has stirred a mixed tide of public reactions.
PR expert Jordan Greenaway commended Astronomer for their clever approach in leveraging the scandal to enhance brand awareness. He highlights that while the public now knows of Astronomer, many remained unaware of its services prior to the incident. Greenaway asserts that the company's humorous response could be strategic in navigating the fallout, especially since the scandal doesn’t detract from the quality of their data services.
He contrasts Astronomer's playful response with other famous scandals, noting that humor can be a double-edged sword. The nature of the embarrassment allows Astronomer to poke fun at the situation without undermining its product integrity, as the scandal primarily concerns the actions of a now-former executive.
As for the ex-CEO Andy Byron, the future looks dimmer. Greenaway emphasizes that Byron’s reputation may suffer more profoundly than that of the company, as his conduct sparked the controversy. Despite the noise, visits to Astronomer's website surged dramatically, with reports indicating a staggering 15,000% increase in traffic since the incident.
Co-founder and interim CEO Pete DeJoy regards the unwanted attention as “unusual and surreal,” but remains positive about the silver lining — Astronomer has now become a household name. The company, established in 2018 and known for its AI-driven services, has provided solutions to high-profile clients, such as Apple and Uber.
In a brief previous statement, Astronomer reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strict culture of accountability and integrity, announcing a formal investigation into the matter. With the Coldplay tour concluding soon, all eyes not only remain on the band but also on the evolving narrative of Astronomer as it transitions to clearer skies ahead amidst its scandal.