Beats CEO Jimmy Iovine in Talks to Join Apple as 'Special Adviser' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Beats CEO Jimmy Iovine in Talks to Join Apple as 'Special Adviser'

jimmyiovineJust a couple hours after the Financial Times reported that Apple was in talks to acquire Beats Electronics, the New York Post is reporting that Beats CEO Jimmy Iovine is in talks to join Apple as a "special adviser" to Tim Cook on creative matters.

Beats Electronics boss and veteran music industry executive Jimmy Iovine is in talks to join Apple as a “special adviser” to Tim Cook on creative matters, two sources close to talks tell The Post.

Iovine is also the chairman of Universal Music Group's Interscope Geffen A&M music labels, though his contract is set to expire at the end of 2014. However, it's not clear if this is part of the potential purchase of Beats Electronics or separate from that deal.

Iovine has strong contacts in the music industry, allowing Apple to potentially leverage him for potential future negotiations with music labels. This would make him a strong addition even if Apple doesn't purchase Beats.

If Iovine does join Apple, Iovine would be the second high profile executive to join the company after former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts. The Beats CEO also has a history with Apple, having pitched Steve Jobs on a subscription music service and meeting with Apple executives about Beats Music before it launched.

Popular Stories

Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
Apple ADT Gradient

Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT

Saturday October 10, 2026 7:17 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to announce a new partnership with home security company ADT, alongside the introduction of its all-new smart home hub, according to several clues. First and foremost, ADT has been posting "Low Voltage Technician" job listings in various U.S. cities since around July, but those hired for the position so far have been provided with very few details about their specific...
apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...

Top Rated Comments

162 months ago
Apple is not full of stupid people. There must be a good reason for this whole deal to be going through. Without knowing all the facts we can just but guess...

It's pretty obvious. Beats must have negotiated a stellar subscription music deal with the record labels (possibly thanks to this dude's contacts in the industry). Apple wants to quickly jump on that ship, so they're snapping up the deals Beats has already signed.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Santabean2000 Avatar
162 months ago
Apple is not full of stupid people. There must be a good reason for this whole deal to be going through. Without knowing all the facts we can just but guess...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
162 months ago
I'm not sure how many times this needs to be repeated...

APPLE IS NOT BUYING BEATS FOR ITS HEADPHONES.

APPLE IS NOT BUYING BEATS FOR ITS HEADPHONES.

APPLE IS NOT BUYING BEATS FOR ITS HEADPHONES.

APPLE IS NOT BUYING BEATS FOR ITS HEADPHONES.

Apple needs a Spotify-killer and Beats has a deal with record labels that Apple evidently wants.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
162 months ago
Hope his first piece of advice is "don't buy Beats." But somehow I doubt it.

----------

Ugh.... what's next, Apple? Gonna hire Dr. Dre too? Ughhhh :(

Haven't you heard? They're hiring a bunch of medical-types for the iWatch. Dr. Dre would be perfect :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
162 months ago
Forget hiring Jimmy Iovine as a special advisor. Apple should hire all these keyboard CEO's and multi-billion dollars business owners that post on Macrumors who know what's best for Apple.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bighype Avatar
162 months ago
Tim Cook is slowly killing Apple. What Ballmer did to Microsoft, that's exactly what Cook's gonna do to Apple in 5 years. Just watch. The man has no vision and is easily swayed by these BS artists.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple 'Welcome Home' Launch: Everything to Expect Tomorrow
Apple 'Welcome Home' Launch: Everything to Expect Tomorrow
8 hours ago
You Can Now Set Up Your iPhone Duo Pre-Order - Do It Before Friday
You Can Now Set Up Your iPhone Duo Pre-Order - Do It Before Friday
8 hours ago
Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini
Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini
9 hours ago
Apple and Pokémon Tease Special Pikachu-Themed Beats Pill Speaker
Apple and Pokémon Tease Special Pikachu-Themed Beats Pill Speaker
10 hours ago
Apple Announces 'Indie Games Week' on App Store
Apple Announces 'Indie Games Week' on App Store
11 hours ago
Amazon Discounting 2026 MacBook Pro by as Much as $600 This Week
Amazon Discounting 2026 MacBook Pro by as Much as $600 This Week
11 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
12 hours ago
Apple Watch SE 3 Available From Just $199.99 on Amazon
Apple Watch SE 3 Available From Just $199.99 on Amazon
12 hours ago
Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026
Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026
12 hours ago
OLED iPad Mini Could Be $200 More Expensive Than Current Model
OLED iPad Mini Could Be $200 More Expensive Than Current Model
15 hours ago
Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India
Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India
15 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
22 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
1 day ago
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
1 day ago
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
1 day ago
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
1 day ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
1 day ago
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
1 day ago
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
2 days ago
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
2 days ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
2 days ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
3 days ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
3 days ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
3 days ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
3 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
3 days ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
3 days ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
3 days ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
3 days ago