PALO ALTO, September 22, 2006 (PodTech News) — Hewlett-Packard held a press briefing this afternoon at HP headquarters in Palo Alto at which they refused to answer any questions from the press. HP President and CEO Mark Hurd spoke, as did Mike Holston, a representative of Morgan Lewis, the law firm that has been retained by HP in order to investigate HP’s leak investigation. The biggest announcements: Patricia Dunn, former HP Board Chair, has resigned, effective immediately. Mark Hurd, President and CEO, was named HP Chairman to take her place. The press was briefed by Hurd on what he knew and when, and by Mike Holston on the process and findings of Morgan Lewis’ investigation into HP’s investigation so far. PodTech’s Catherine Girardeau was there, and filed this report.
REPORTER’S NOTES: Despite the fact that the 80-some members of the press at the briefing weren’t able to get any questions answered unless we wanted to talk with media relations mouthpieces, the press conference was revealing, especially because it ends such a long period of public silence by HP President and CEO Mark Hurd on the HP scandal. The New York Times has a good summary of the scandal so far. The blogosphere’s abuzz: take your pick. Dan Gillmor says he’s glad Wall Street is beginning to take note. Valleywag has a nice doctored photograph. Also, check out PodTech’s audio from the full press conference.
— Catherine Girardeau
