Caught on cam and sold by brands: Astronomer’s viral moment

A sky full of stars shone brightly on Astronomer’s CEO and chief people officer at Gillette Stadium on July 16. 

 

The married CEO, Andy Byron, was reportedly caught embracing Astronomer's head of human resources, Kristin Cabot, on Coldplay’s kiss cam Wednesday, igniting a slew of online criticism and memes.  

 

In videos shared across social media, captured by concertgoers, the pair quickly separated after noticing their faces on the big screen, trying to avoid being seen by the camera. Their reactions prompted Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin to respond, “Look at these two. Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

 

@instaagraace trouble in paradise?? �� #coldplay #boston #coldplayconcert #kisscam #fyp ♬ original sound - grace

 

A statement circulating on social media, claiming to be from the CEO himself, apologised to his family and team for the "disappointment" the moment has caused, while also calling out Coldplay for exposing a “private moment” without his consent.

 

A spokesperson for Astronomer told the New York Post that the statement is “fake.”

 

The virality of the alleged C-suite affair had virtually little to do with the recognition of Astronomer as a company, according to an analysis conducted by narrative intelligence company PeakMetrics

 

Over 143,000 mentions of “Astronomer” flooded X feeds on Thursday. But, of the 143,000 mentions of Astronomer, PeakMetrics analysis found that nearly 70% had nothing to do with the company’s brand or business.

 

Astronomer is a data infrastructure company that provides tools to help organisations manage and streamline data workflows. 

 

Brands have latched on to the internet’s latest viral meme, blasting the couple’s alleged affair into the social media stratosphere. Here’s how ten brands are poking fun at what former Astronomer CEO and cofounder Ry Walker has deemed “ColdplayGate.”

 

Ikea Singapore

 

One of the quickest off the mark, the company posted a simple but sharp trendjack featuring two cuddling stuffed toys with the text: “HR approved.” The cheeky caption added, “Don’t get caught… without these! Drama-free cuddles guaranteed.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by IKEA SG (@ikeasingapore)

 

Netflix

 

Big Coldplay fan. 

 

pic.twitter.com/tiDU4G8UfN

— Netflix (@netflix) July 17, 2025

 

Nando's Australia
 

In a perfectly on-brand move, Nando's Australia sent out an email blast to customers asking if they fancied “a little something on the side.”

The playful promo leaned straight into the alleged workplace affair at Astronomer, offering diners a free regular side with any main dish—no awkward HR meetings required. All they had to do was use the promo code ‘Coldplay’.

Paramount

 

Embracing at a Coldplay concert – Titanic style. 

 

@paramountpics HR’s everywhere shaking in their boots rn. #Titanic #AvailableonDigital on #AppleTV ♬ original sound - Paramount Pictures

 

X

 

date idea: take your grok companion to coldplay

— X (@X) July 17, 2025

 

Ryanair

 

Flying to the comments on this one.

 

Ryanair��Coldplay
splitting up couples https://t.co/UgwuK3X5Au

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) July 18, 2025

 

NYC Sanitation

 

Airing out the dirty laundry.

 

Cameras are EVERYWHERE! Don't get caught doing something you *maybe* shouldn't be doing.

Thinking about doing something naughty, like dumping trash in the City? We've got video cameras all over. We WILL catch you - and you will pay the price! pic.twitter.com/okY8EQpTIO

— NYC Sanitation (@NYCSanitation) July 17, 2025

 

Tesla

 

Driving social media engagement.

 

Posting a pic of you enjoying your loaner Tesla while your own one is in service is the equivalent of taking it to a Coldplay concert

Your car will know.

— Tesla (@Tesla) July 18, 2025

 

St. Louis Cardinals

 

A home run for the social media team.

 

When Coldplay starts playing your song: pic.twitter.com/B3CIn5Y4lr

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 17, 2025

 

Toronto Raptors

 

The Raptors keep winning, and so does the internet.

 

4-0 since changing our logo https://t.co/7sidF8eZ63 pic.twitter.com/ZGdCEENJZx

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 18, 2025

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The original PRWeek story has been edited by Campaign Asia-Pacific to include brand reactions from the region.