Apple Insider
Our industry expert rounds-up the biggest Apple corporate stories circulating this month
Apple’s ads go in-house
Apple has already begun producing some TV ads itself, but now it seems it has a longer term plan to replace long-time ads partner TBWA. AdAge reports Apple is attempting to build its own internal ad agency of 1000 staff, including some big industry names. “It’s going after some of adland’s boldest-facing names to staff its in-house shop,” AdAge claims, though the firm faces resistance recruiting these staff. Apple and TBWA are still working together, despite Cupertino’s concerns at some of the ads created by its long-term partner. It’s telling that Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the Beats ad team for its recent World Cup ad, calling this “a must watch”.
iPhone crimes decline
Police have confirmed a steep decrease in iPhone robberies since Apple introduced Activation Lock in iOS 7. Theft fell 24% in London and 38% in San Francisco. Thieves are learning that stealing an iPhone makes no sense, since the owner simply needs to access Find My iPhone on another device, Mac or PC to lock the device – though the feature must be switched on by users and is not enabled by default. “The introduction of kill switches has clearly had an effect on the conduct of smartphone thieves,” Eric Schneiderman, San Francisco district attorney, told The New York Times. “If these can be cancelled like the equivalent of cancelling a credit card, these are going to be the equivalent of stealing a paperweight.”
Angela’s army
Ex-Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts has begun to implement her plans for Apple retail, with fundamental restructuring of how stores are managed and a focus on what customers use stores for. 9to5Mac claims these plans include grouping stores not by geography but by product sales volumes in an attempt to create a more consistent customer experience. In a June letter to retail staff, Ahrendts said: “Keeping the customer experience as simple as any other Apple product will also be critical as we expand into new markets, integrate our platforms, and develop new technologies.” Apple retail will open 20 more stores in China through 2016.