| Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs has leapfrogged News Corp mogul Rupert Murdoch, ranking second on the annual MediaGuardian 100 power list, which ranks those with cultural, economic and political influence in the UK. This year's list was made up from all sectors of the media, including broadcasting, publishing, new media, advertising, marketing and PR: "Our aim is to take a snapshot of the individuals who run or influence the UK media in 2006, a reflection of what they have done over the past 12 months, and what they are likely to achieve over the next year." The top spot was taken by BBC director general Mark Thompson, while Microsoft's Bill Gates was still in the top 10, despite stepping down from day-to-day operations. Jobs, who ranked number 6 on last's year's survey, is credited with transforming "the way we consume music" for the podcasting phenomenon which brings "a voice to millions of would-be broadcasters around the globe." The selection committee also said he was for "doing the same for television with the launch of the video iPod." "There is not a media boardroom in the world that Jobs could not walk into," according to one of panellist's who helped select the candidates. "Everyone is trying to second guess what he does next. He is influencing everyone's thinking."
|