Katie Cotton, Apple’s vice president of global corporate communications during Steve Jobs’ tenure, died over a decade after leaving the company.
People lamented her passing in numerous social media messages on Monday night. The contentious public relations executive is well-known for managing sensitive material concerning Steve Jobs’ products, scandals, and health.
Cotton died on April 6, according to her obituary, and her contributions to Apple and the community are mentioned. Her children, Ethan and Isabelle Mimeles, her life partner Jim Wells, her mother, siblings, and other family members survive her.
Under Steve Jobs, she was regarded as one of Apple’s most powerful executives, responsible for arranging the company’s now-famous culture of secrecy. Cotton left Apple in 2014 after 18 years of service.
Cotton has proven to be an important person despite the turmoil and secrecy surrounding her stay at Apple. Apple was able to create demand for news by limiting press releases, making every piece of information from the corporation feel like a treasure to share.
This mindset has persisted in the company to this day. While Apple has been more forthcoming with some information, it remains as guarded as ever regarding its executives and future product plans – a practice pioneered by Katie Cotton.