The outside ad agency dedicated to Apple marketing was hit with a big round of layoffs this week.
Media Arts Lab cut about 50 employees across multiple divisions of the company. Owned by Apple’s longtime ad partner TBWA Worldwide, Media Arts Lab counts Apple as its only client. The Los Angeles based company helps Apple come up with advertisements for many of its popular products, but is facing changes as Apple’s needs evolve.
“Yesterday was a difficult day, as we had to part with some of our talented colleagues,” a Media Arts Lab spokeswoman said in a statement obtained by Bloomberg. “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 + MAL = ❤️
TBWA and Media Arts Lab has created some of Apple’s most iconic commercials. The famous 1984 Super Bowl ad for the Macintosh came from MAL as well as the “Get a Mac” campaign and “Shot on iPhone” ads. The company lost artistic guru Lee Clow who retired earlier this year. Clow was the head of TBWA for decades and worked with Steve Jobs on the Think Different ads, 1984 spot, iPod ads and numerous other creative commercials.
Apple has been growing its own in-house marketing team for over five years now which could explain some of the reasons behind the layoffs. Among those who recently left is Geoff Edwards. Geoff was recruited to TBWA just this year to lead the marketing for Apple’s services.
“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,” said Tor Myhren, vice president, marketing communications at Apple.
