Jobs Reflections

Fans, admirers and Apple adherents around the world are mourning the loss of founder Steve Jobs, who passed away Wed after a protracted bout with cancer. “Steve was such an ‘original,’ with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era,” said Disney pres/CEO Bob Iger, who thought of Jobs as a great friend and trusted advisor. “His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built.”

Said FCC chmn Julius Genachowski: “Steve Jobs is irreplaceable, but he will inspire people for generations—to innovate, to tackle great challenges, to do what you love, to change the world.” Even President Obama weighed in, saying Jobs “was among the greatest of American innovators—brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world and talented enough to do it.” TNT will pay tribute to Jobs with Oct 13 (8pm and 10pm ET) features of “Pirates of Silicon Valley,” its original that premiered in 1999.

Meanwhile, Jobs was on everyone’s mind Thurs in NYC. NCTA pres/CEO Michael Powell took a moment before a breakfast speech to ACC members to note Jobs’ incredible influence, joking that people now cradle their iPhones as if they were precious pets. “How did he do that?,” he asked, noting that “our industry needs that kind of edgy spirit” to better connect with consumers and inspire such loyalty. Jobs “will be studied for centuries,” he said.

And as Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group talked about commitment to brand promise in CTAM’s Thurs general session, he said Jobs’ approach is a keen example of how “as we get more high-tech, people are craving high-touch… Why do people venerate this one man? Think about the products. The stuff works.” But beyond functionality, Jobs created “products that you needed,” and, said Meyer, if you can’t imagine how your life would be without them, that’s success.