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Why does the WSJ's Yukari Iwatani Kane get the planned Apple leaks?

Why has Apple picked her to be the source of planned leaks? John “clear skies” Martellaro tells of his time at Apple where he was instructed to do planned leaks and the purpose of such leaks: 

Controlled leaks are almost always the solution to a problem. In this case, it could have been that Apple needed to release the tablet information early because they wanted:

  • to light a fire under a recalcitrant partner
  • to float the idea of the US$1,000 price point and gauge reaction
  • to panic/confuse a potential competitor about whom Apple had some knowledge
  • to whet analyst and observer expectations to make sure the right kind and number of people show up at the (presumed) January 26 event. Apple hates empty seats and demands SRO at these events.

He points out that two authors at the WSJ are always named so they can point the finger at each other.  But if you look at recent likely leaked stories, one name keeps coming up 100% of the time:  Yukari Iwatani Kane.  Why? 

Video of her discussing her Apple leaks below.

Here’s Kane discussing her Apple leaks with the WSJ:

http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf

The other recent examples of planned Apple leaks were to Businessweek last year about Verizon getting the iPhone and tablet when Apple was renegotiating its contract with AT&T.

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