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Apple Advertising Partner Media Arts Lab Cuts ~50 Employees

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Apple advertising partner Media Arts Lab has let go of approximately 50 employees, reports Bloomberg. Media Arts Lab is owned by TBWA\Chiat\Day and Apple is its only client.

Staff cuts were made in multiple divisions, but many of the employees who were let go worked in the strategy division that helped Apple create ads for its newest products.


In a statement to Bloomberg, a Media Arts Lab spokesperson said that the firm's relationship with Apple "has never been stronger."

"Yesterday was a difficult day, as we had to part with some of our talented colleagues," a Media Arts Lab spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. "Our relationship with Apple has never been stronger, but as the needs of our client continue to evolve, we must adapt and continue to evolve the composition of our teams."

Apple's VP of Marketing Communications Tor Myhren said that Apple asked Media Arts Lab to evolve its marketing approach as Apple evolves its own approach too.

Apple's confidence and trust in MAL as our singular ad agency is as strong as it's ever been. As we continue to evolve our marketing approach, we've asked MAL to do the same.

Media Arts Lab has worked with Apple for decades and has been responsible for some of Apple's most compelling ads, including the famous "1984" ad for the original Macintosh, the "Get a Mac" series with Justin Long, and the well-known silhouette ads used for the iPod and iTunes.

More recently, Media Arts Lab was responsible for the "Welcome Home" video for the HomePod starring FKA Twigs, Apple's 2019 "Shot on iPhone" tour featuring bands like Florence and the Machine, and the "Bounce" ad for the AirPods.


Apple started creating some of its ads in house approximately five years ago, but has also continued to work with outside ad agencies. Apple two years ago began focusing more heavily on digital and regional ad campaigns, which previously led to layoffs at TBWA\Media Arts Lab.

Tags: Apple Ads, TBWA

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Top Rated Comments

L
lkrupp
87 months ago

Yup. Apple is making cuts across all divisions.
Nope, Apple is not making cuts across all divisions. Nice try at FUD though.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
E
ersan191
87 months ago
Wonder why Apple doesn’t just buy these guys if they supposedly like them so much


Poor workers. We often forget they’re also people... people with families, people with kids. Now they’re going to starve because Apple cut them off. I hope they find new work soon, because I really liked all their recent ads, especially their iPhone X ads back in 2017.

it’s very unfortunate.
Nobody who worked for an Apple-exclusive ad agency is going to starve or not find another job, relax.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
keysofanxiety
87 months ago

Yup. Apple is making cuts across all divisions.
It’s not even Apple. It’s a third party company.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Krizoitz Avatar
Krizoitz
87 months ago

Certainly if they are in danger of their children starving due to inability to find any other paying gig (laughable, at best...), then they clearly aren’t of the ilk that Apple should be choosing.
Wow...I mean wow...the callousness and inhumanity on display in this post is staggering.

Setting aside that no one, and I mean NO ONE deserves to starve based on their skill level at a particular task, you do realize that finding a job in America (and other countries) is not based solely on talent/merit right? That numerous other factors are at play?

Wow...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justanotherfanboy Avatar
Justanotherfanboy
87 months ago

Wow...I mean wow...the callousness and inhumanity on display in this post is staggering.

Setting aside that no one, and I mean NO ONE deserves to starve based on their skill level at a particular task, you do realize that finding a job in America (and other countries) is not based solely on talent/merit right? That numerous other factors are at play?

Wow...
Wow... that’s a LOT of wow!!!!

Since you apparently have never held a job or met anyone that has- let me explain it to you!

If you have a job in advertising at one of the top firms in America, that Apple uses- you are likely making above poverty level.
If you have children you probably have thought to set aside more than like fifteen cents, you know, if starvation was a concern of yours. Further, in the case of layoffs- there’s this thing called “drawing unemployment”; its a program set up so children don’t starve to death while their parents seek new work!
The notion that any of the 50 graphic designers that got laid off actually now have children that are starving is absolutely ludicrous!!! Get real. There are actual poor in this country. Starvation is REAL. You know who’s starving? Homeless vets, abused/neglected children, etc.
You know who is NOT starving??
The children of recently laid off well-paid graphic designers.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so think of me what you will.
I personally find your attitude VERY callous to those that are actually starving... to think it’s cute using that word to describe those infinitely luckier than them, that are NOT experiencing that whatsoever, and never will.
I’d equate it to the same offensiveness level as casually saying to rape victims, that you got “raped” too, by being accidentally overcharged $2 on your last fast food order.

My point was DEFINITELY not that some children should starve or whatever bizarre way you interpreted it- it’s that there is ZILCH chance of starvation being a result of these layoffs, & that all that type of talk is over the top, seeking attention, shock & awe exaggeration.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
gsurf123
87 months ago

Poor workers. We often forget they’re also people... people with families, people with kids. Now they’re going to starve because Apple cut them off. I hope they find new work soon, because I really liked all their recent ads, especially their iPhone X ads back in 2017.

it’s very unfortunate.
Probably would have been better to not be Apple exclusive.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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