While Time magazine named Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg person of the year, Financial Times opts for Apple CEO Steve Jobs. It’s easy to see how both leaders could be considered for such a title. Both run high-profile companies who set the standards in their respective industries.
It’s hard to argue against FT’s logic: Apple had a phenomenal year, with back-to-back record quarters at a time when the U.S. is still emerging out of a deep recession. Under the leadership of Steve Jobs, Apple also managed to create another breakthrough product: the iPad. Finally, the iPhone 4 launch, although initially marred with antenna issues, turned out to be one of the most successful product launches in Apple history.
Definitely hard to argue against an Apple or Facebook CEO for person of the year, but it highlights an interesting point about Google. While you will regularly see Google right up there with Apple and Facebook as far as leading the technology world, it seems that Eric Schmidt just doesn’t have the same presence as a Zuckerberg or a Jobs. Even Bill Gates was mentioned as a potential candidate by FT.
via Mashable, Financial Times