 Sarah O'Brien |
Sarah O’Brien, who joined Tesla Inc. in Sept. 2016 as senior director of communications from Apple, is leaving the troubled electric carmaker next month.
She was promoted to the V-P communications position in Aug. 2017.
Her departure follows this month’s turmoil that began with an impulsive tweet on Aug. 7 from CEO/founder Elon Musk about a plan to take the company private for a $420 per-share price.
That alleged $70B deal resulted in the rise of Telsa stock, suspension of trading by NASDAQ and a Securities and Exchange Commission probe.
Musk followed up his announcement with an emotional interview with the New York Times on Aug. 16 in which he spoke of the “excruciating” toll that management of Tesla has had on his personal health.
Tesla lost $1.5B on $7.4B revenues during the first half of this year.
On Aug. 24, Musk dropped the go-private scheme following conversations with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Prior to joining Tesla, O’Brien spent eight years at Apple. She did four years in London promoting Apple Music in the EMEIA market, and the next four at headquarters in Cupertino, Cal., handling PR for the iPhone.
Earlier, she handled partnerships at EMI Music (London) for talents such as Amy Winehouse and Nirvana, and worked as PR manager for PPL in London doing media relations for the music press and staging events.
Tesla says O’Brien’s departure on Sept. 7 was planned before Musk’s drama of last month.
Dave Arnold, who recently was upped to senior director of communications, will take over O’Brien’s duties.
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