AppleInsider Staff
Building on an earlier rumor that Apple is in discussions to buy Beats Electronics, a new report claims the music company's cofounder and longtime music executive Jimmy Iovine is in talks to join the Cupertino tech giant as a special advisor to CEO Tim Cook.
After Apple's rumored interest in acquiring Beats for $3.2 billion set off a media firestorm on Thursday, a follow-up report from the New York Post claims Iovine is in discussions to take on a "special advisor" role at Apple.
As with the Beats buy, details are scarce, though the publication cites sources as saying Iovine will counsel Cook on "creative matters" if a deal is reached. The scope of the purported advisory position is unknown.
Also unknown is how the music mogul is planning to enter Apple. While mere speculation, Iovine could be brought on as a so-called "acqui-hire" if a buyout does happen.
Iovine, who currently serves as chairman of Universal Music Group's Interscope Geffen alongside his role at Beats, has a long history in music and carries a number of high-profile artists in his stable. Even with his background, it is unclear why Apple would need him on the roster.
In a 2013 interview, Iovine claimed he was "really close" to Steve Jobs and spent three years trying to sell the late Apple cofounder on a subscription-based music service. Beats subsequently launched Beats Music, while Apple debuted iTunes Radio; two very different takes on music streaming services.
Apple's rumored acquisition of Beats is already being questioned by pundits and industry watchers, making associated claims of Iovine's special advisory role similarly suspect.
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73 Comments
That makes a lot more sense.
Apple "acqui-hiring" a Beats executive with strong music industry connections is one thing. But buying the whole company is another. I think in the end this may play out as Apple picking up a high-powered executive, ala Angela Ahrendts, not a Beats buy.
[quote name="SolipsismX" url="/t/179238/rumor-beats-ceo-in-talks-to-join-apple-as-special-advisor-to-tim-cook#post_2530009"]That makes a lot more sense.[/quote] I don't buy this rumour. I did read the other article, just not the 182 comments (yet) but I doubt Apple would triple overpay for the company. Besides, iTunes is doing well in spite of declining sales. I don't see any incentive for Apple to buy Beats Electronics. Heck, I don't see why Jimmy Iovine had a close relationship with Steve Jobs. For some strange reason I get the feeling they want to sell the company and are trying to drive up its price. Purely unfounded on my part. OT, but why is his last name all lowercase? Even on Wikipedia (yeah yeah, I know)
[quote name="AppleInsider" url="/t/179238/rumor-beats-ceo-in-talks-to-join-apple-as-special-advisor-to-tim-cook#post_2530007"] Iovine, who currently serves as chairman of Universal Music Group's Interscope Geffen alongside his role at Beats, has a long history in music and carries a number of high-profile artists in his stable. Even with his background, it is unclear why Apple would need him on the roster. [/quote] You can't see WHY Apple would need this guy??!! Apple, who is run by a bunch of stick-in-the-muds, needs a cool guy to front for them. With the loss of Steve, the keynotes have been dull as dirt... so dull, in fact that when Phil Schiller said, "Apple can't innovate, my ass!" it was the high-point of the whole event! Apple needs a face that speaks for it that is memorable, like John Hodgman or Carly Foulkes, the girl-in-the-pink-dress was for T-mobile. Cook & crew may be the best managers, but they stink as the public face of Apple.
[quote name="PhilBoogie" url="/t/179238/rumor-beats-ceo-in-talks-to-join-apple-as-special-advisor-to-tim-cook#post_2530018"] I don't buy this rumour. I did read the other article, just not the 182 comments (yet) but I doubt Apple would triple overpay for the company. Besides, iTunes is doing well in spite of declining sales. I don't see any incentive for Apple to buy Beats Electronics. Heck, I don't see why Jimmy Iovine had a close relationship with Steve Jobs. For some strange reason I get the feeling they want to sell the company and are trying to drive up its price. Purely unfounded on my part. OT, but why is his last name all lowercase? Even on Wikipedia (yeah yeah, I know)[/quote] It threw me too but it's a i, not an L In some fonts upper case I(i) looks like lower case l (L)