It’s been a six month search, but Apple appears to have succeeded Katie Cotton with a new VP of worldwide communications. The new hire comes in the form of Steve Dowling, who, according to re/code, was tapped as interim head of public relations last week by CEO Tim Cook, who has been looking to put a friendlier, more approachable face on Apple’s public relations efforts.
Sources stated that a search outside the company proved fruitless and Dowling’s appointment has been framed to employees as an interim one and it’s said that Apple will continue to evaluate worthy outside candidates if one should pop up. Still, given that Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially put Dowling at the top of Apple’s PR organization suggests he could remain there.
The next question on people’s minds is what will Nat Kerris — who has headed up Apple product PR for years — do now? She has been at Apple for more than a decade and under Steve Jobs and Katie Cotton, and managed the launches of some of its most iconic products. Being passed over for the top comms job can’t be sitting well.
Apple confirmed Dowling’s new role but declined further comment.