The head of Apple Music is apparently assuming an additional role. Oliver Schusser is reportedly going to take charge of the company’s Beats line of high-end headphones, while also remaining at the helm of Apple’s music-streaming service.
Apple also took the opportunity to refute a recent unconfirmed report that it’s phasing out Beats.
Eddy Cue, Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services, revealed that Luke Wood was leaving Beats in an email sent to Apple employees and obtained by Cnet.
Luke Wood joined the company in 2014 when Apple acquired Beats Electronics and Beats Music. His last day will be April 30.
Meet the new boss at Beats
Oliver Schusser became head of Apple Music Worldwide in 2018. “Since taking on the Apple Music business a little over a year ago, Apple Music has achieved steady growth under Oliver’s leadership,” Cue reportedly said in his email to staffers. “He’s passionate about music and the Beats brand. He’s equally passionate about building a strong, collaborative culture with his team.”
Schusser continues to lead international efforts for the App Store, so he has three roles at Apple.
The Beats goes on?
The Beats line introduced new Powerbeats headphones in mid-March. And just this week the FCC let slip that updated Powerbeats Pro truly-wireless headphones are on the way.
But Jon Prosser, founder of YouTube channel Front Page Tech, drew plenty of attention earlier this month when he claimed Apple doesn’t see a future for Beats. “They’re building up the Apple/AirPods product line — THEN they will phase out Beats in favor of the finished lineup.” While there’s little evidence to back up this report, Prosser was able to correctly predict in March that Apple would unveil the 2020 iPhone SE on April 15.
But Apple threw cold water on the idea. In his email to Apple employees, Cue said the company remains “committed to the Beats brand and the importance of maintaining its role firmly in the music portfolio.”
