Andrew Gombert/European Pressphoto AgencyTim Cook, chief of Apple, in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Wednesday.SUN VALLEY, Idaho — There’s plenty of wattage at Allen & Company’s so-called summer camp for moguls this year.
But the mantle of Mr. Popular easily goes to Timothy D. Cook, chief executive of Apple.
His predecessor, Steve Jobs, was never a Sun Valley fixture. Apple, known for its secrecy, has generally been a no-show. That makes Mr. Cook’s attendance notable in itself.
The conference, full of media bigwigs, has also been buzzing about any blueprints Mr. Cook may be hiding in Apple’s magic hat. He has lined up several one-on-one meetings with media executives here, fueling speculation that he is busy cobbling together partnerships for a home entertainment expansion.
Sun Valley’s most-wanted man tried to keep a low profile on Wednesday morning.
Wearing a blue button-down shirt and jeans, he walked briskly past the photographer pit with Paul Sagan, chief executive of Akamai, the Internet content delivery service. Stopping by a cafe, the technology executives, deep in conversation, refueled on caffeine before settling into a table outside.
When asked what he was looking forward to at the conference, Mr. Cook smiled. “I’m looking forward to all the private discussions I’ve set up this week,” he said.
Would he have time for coffee with DealBook?
The polite Mr. Cook simply replied, “Probably not.”