Apple promotes Deidre O' Brien to VP of People

On the heels of announcing Isabel Ge Mahe's promotion to general manager and managing director of Greater China, the company has announced that Deidre O' Brien will move to VP of People for the Apple.

O' Brien was previously vice president of Worldwide Sales and Operations. She has been named vice president of People, reporting to CEO Tim Cook. A nearly 30-year Apple veteran, Deirdre will lead all HR functions including talent development, recruiting, benefits, compensation and business support, as well as overseeing Apple University.

“As long as I’ve been at Apple, Deirdre has been the glue that bonds our operations, sales, marketing and finance teams to deliver products to our customers,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Deirdre deeply understands Apple’s unique culture and that people join Apple to do the best work of their lives.  She is a superb leader and I’m thrilled she will be bringing her experience and talent to this critical role.”

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Video: Apple promotes inclusion inspiring innovation in moving Pride video

Apple's released a video of their first ever Pride parade appearance as a company. As described, "On June 29, thousands of Apple employees and their families marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade. They came from around the world — from cities as far as Munich, Paris, and Hong Kong — to celebrate Apple's unwavering commitment to equality and diversity. Because we believe that inclusion inspires innovation." Participants wore a colour-free Apple logo on their shirts as well as distributed iTunes Cards to participants in the parade.

David Bowie retrospective show at AGO to offer immersive 3D AV experience

In case you haven't heard, the Art Gallery of Ontario will be kicking off the Fall with a groundbreaking exhibit focused on musical icon and style innovator David Bowie. Toronto will be the sole Canadian host of the "David Bowie Is" proposed six-city international tour of the highly anticipated show. The show will feature 300 objects from Bowie’s personal archives as well as immersive video and sound that was created with Sennheiser's expertise. The exhibit covers 50 years of Bowie's career and opens Sept. 25 and runs through Nov. 27.

Explore 1000+ artworks from around the world with Google Art Project Phase 2

Google has mapped and photographed the world, created a car that drives itself and even explored space. Now the tech giant focuses its prodigious resources towards the world of art and brings the world's visual masterpieces to any art lover online.

Last year Google launched version 1 of the Google Art Project (www.googleartproject.com), a partnership with 17 of the world’s most acclaimed art museums that brings paintings and 1000+ artworks online, letting everyone see, explore, and essentially enjoy virtual travel to these celebrated collections. Galleries and images can also be explored directly in Street View in Google Maps And thanks to super high-resolution, ‘gigapixel’ photo technology, you can even zoom in close enough to see the brushstrokes of Rembrandt himself-- more than the naked eye.

Google has launched phase 2-- this will add an additional 100 museums around the world in 35 countries to the project, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the sole Canadian participant.

The AGO says that they are very excited about increasing the access of world galleries and museums to Canadians, and to showcase our own local collections at the AGO to a wider global audience. 

 The Art Project lets you:

• Take 360-degree tours of each museum -- explore the Tate Britain or roam the halls of the Palace of Versailles
• Learn about particular pieces and the artists behind them -- read about the story behind each piece and watch related YouTube videos
• Curate your own online collections -- build a personalized collection, provide your own commentary, and share your collection with friends and family.