Rivian’s Former Communications Chief Joins Jony Ive’s Creative Collective: A Shift in Focus for Sarah O’Brien
Sarah O’Brien, former Chief Communications Officer at EV startup Rivian Automotive (RIVN), has made a surprising move, leaving the electric vehicle company to join LoveFrom, a creative collective established by Jony Ive, the renowned former chief design officer of Apple Inc. This move marks a significant career shift for O’Brien, signaling a potential change in focus from the automotive industry to a more broader creative landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- A move toward creativity: O’Brien’s transition to LoveFrom marks a detour from her trajectory in the automotive industry, suggesting a new path focused on creative projects. This change comes after a successful career that included stints at companies like Apple, Tesla, and Meta.
- First full-time communications recruit for LoveFrom: O’Brien’s recruitment signifies a strategic shift for LoveFrom, signaling its commitment to expanding its communications team and potentially indicating a push for broader public visibility.
- A reunion with Jony Ive: O’Brien’s past experience working with Jony Ive at Apple highlights the strength of their existing relationship and adds a unique dynamic to this move.
- Rivian’s ongoing executive departures: This recent departure from Rivian follows the exit of Tim Fallon, the former VP of Manufacturing Operations, who joined Stellantis NV. These departures raise concerns about Rivian’s ability to retain top talent amidst challenges in the automotive market.
A New Chapter for Sarah O’Brien
Sarah O’Brien’s journey to LoveFrom highlights a potential career shift, emphasizing her desire to explore new avenues in the creative field. Her impressive resume, including roles at Apple, Tesla, and Meta, showcases her talent and expertise in communications. While her time at Rivian was relatively brief, it provided her with valuable experience within the developing EV market.
"Sarah is a friend," Ive stated in an interview with Axios. "I have been fortunate to work intimately with her in the past and I am immensely grateful and thrilled that she is joining our small team at LoveFrom to assist us with our immoderate ambition to be useful in the future." Ive’s acknowledgment of their past collaboration underscores the personal connection and mutual respect between the two. This move positions O’Brien to utilize her communication skills to contribute to LoveFrom’s endeavors, adding her expertise to the creative collective’s ambitions.
LoveFrom’s Drive for Expansion
LoveFrom, founded by Jony Ive in 2019, has been relatively quiet in its operations since its inception. O’Brien’s recruitment, as LoveFrom’s first full-time communications hire, signals a distinct shift in the collective’s approach. This recruitment indicates a focus on expanding its communications strategy, potentially aiming for greater visibility and building a more robust public presence.
Rivian’s Talent Retention Concerns
Despite its significant presence in the EV market, Rivian has faced challenges in retaining senior executives. The departure of both Sarah O’Brien and Tim Fallon, within a relatively short timeframe, highlights a potential concern for the company. While these individuals may be pursuing other opportunities, these departures come at a critical juncture for Rivian, as it navigates the dynamic automotive landscape. These departures could raise concerns about Rivian’s ability to retain talent amid competition and industry adjustments. The company’s ability to attract and retain top talent is vital to its long-term success.
Looking Forward
While O’Brien’s move to LoveFrom signifies a departure from the automotive industry, her expertise and experience remain valuable. It remains to be seen how she will contribute to LoveFrom’s creative endeavors and whether this shift will influence the collective’s future directions. As for Rivian, the company will need to address its talent retention challenges, ensuring that it can attract and maintain the talent needed to achieve its goals and maintain its position in the competitive EV market.
