**Astronomer's Bold PR Tactic After CEO Scandal Involves Gwyneth Paltrow**

The clever promotional move aims to divert attention from a viral scandal.

In an unexpected move to address a recent scandal, US tech firm Astronomer has released a humorous promotional video featuring actress Gwyneth Paltrow as a "temporary spokesperson." This decision comes after both the company's CEO, Andy Byron, and chief people officer resigned following an incident where they were filmed embracing at a Coldplay concert, leading to wide media coverage and public scrutiny.

In the 60-second clip shared on Astronomer's social media platform, Paltrow, who was previously married to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, answers some of the most frequently asked questions related to the firm. The first question displayed on the screen reads, "OMG! What the actual f?" Paltrow humorously assures viewers that Astronomer is indeed "the best place to run Apache Airflow," a data orchestration tool. She then cheekily acknowledges the enhanced interest in data workflow automation stemming from the controversy.

The promotional video, which has garnered over 27 million views, also touches on how the social media team is handling the situation, with Paltrow affirming that spots are still open for an upcoming conference. Public relations expert Jordan Greenaway commended the company’s approach, stating, "It's a clever video," noting that it seeks to re-establish brand identity, shifting away from the scandal involving its former CEO.

Greenaway elaborates that by leveraging humor, Astronomer aims to transform a potentially damaging situation into an opportunity for greater brand visibility. In a market where the reputation of tech companies can swiftly be undermined, this humorous pivot may help the company retain a positive customer perception.

While the strategy seems effective for Astronomer, the same cannot be said for Andy Byron, who faces a tarnished reputation due to the events. Greenaway insists that had Byron made light of the incident, it would have been seen as unethical.

Founded in 2018, Astronomer specializes in services for companies looking to harness artificial intelligence technologies, claiming to have partnered with industry giants like Apple, Ford, and Uber. Following the abrupt leadership changes, Pete DeJoy has stepped in as interim CEO, reframing the recently acquired spotlight as an opportunity for the company to elevate its profile.

Despite the underlying issues tied to the embarrassing incident, Paltrow's involvement illustrates a savvy PR tactic to recover from a crisis while shifting focus back towards Astronomer's technological offerings. The incident has dramatically increased public interest, with estimates indicating a staggering 15,000% spike in website traffic following the viral video, effectively making Astronomer a household name overnight.