14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is looking for a seasoned writer with broad pop culture background and deep contacts in the freelance world to boost its iTunes business, in what is undoubtedly just another brick added to the redesign (and possibly the rebranding) of Beats Music as an all-new Apple service.
Last year, Tim Cook lavished in excess of $3 billion (€2.6 billion) to acquire Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s Beats Electronics, along with the firm’s Beats Music service to integrate their IP into Apple’s own portfolio.
In addition to selling the popular Beats headphones as their own product now, Apple is also seeking ways to give Beats Music an essential role in the iTunes business. One way it is doing that is by hiring an Editorial Producer.
Experience across pop culture needed
According to a LinkedIn post, Apple needs a seasoned writer with a vast pop culture background and who specializes in music journalism.
“This full-time position is split between editorial and producing duties,” Apple says. “The editorial duties focus on writing, editing, managing a sea of freelancers, and working collaboratively with business and content heads to shape and define editorially driven merchandising promotions.”
The producing duties will span things like promos and special projects, timelines and deliverables, managing web content, etc.
In addition to all the job-description jargon that you would have heard of - communication skills, team player, self-motivated / driven, etc. - Apple mentions this key qualification, in what is undoubtedly a must in order to nab the position: “Deep contacts in the freelance world with writers who can cover the spectrum of pop culture (music, movies, books, etc.).” The role also involves copywriting duties and project management.
Zane Lowe hire
The job opening couldn’t be more coincidental, as it has appears less than a week after BBC’s Zane Lowe, one of the world’s most renowned DJs, announced he’d be taking up a role at Apple. Lowe did not disclose the details of his contract with Apple, but it’s probably safe to assume he’ll be using his musical prowess to assist with the new Beats / iTunes launch.
Apple is said to have aligned the launch of its new music service with the planned debut of iOS 8.4. Currently, Apple is still working to release iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3.