Like an over-the-air update to fix a faulty piece of software, Apple sprang into action following Jimmy Iovine’s Thursday interview with CBS This Morning — with Iovine apologizing for his sexist comments about women’s inability to find music because… you know, women.
“I could have chosen my words better,” the Apple Music boss, Beats guru and Interscope Records co-founder said in a statement.
As we described yesterday, Iovine commented that: “I’ve always known that women find it very difficult at times — some women — to find music. And this helps makes it easier with playlists that are curated by real people.”
While I understand what Iovine was trying to say, Apple prides itself on its diversity, equality and pretty much being a “force for good” in the world, which is why it’s no surprise to hear that Iovine quickly back-pedalled.
“We created Apple Music to make finding the right music easier for everyone — men and women, young and old,” he said in his statement. “Our new [Apple Music] ad focuses on women, which is why I answered the way I did, but of course the same applies equally for men. I could have chosen my words better, and I apologize.”
For everything you can say about Steve Jobs’ hogging credit by being Apple’s primary mouthpiece during his reign as CEO, this is a good reminder why he made the decision he did.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
5 responses to “Jimmy Iovine apologizes for sexist comments about Apple Music”
People can’t say anything these days without somebody having a good old moan.
I don’t disagree with you at all, but you have to admit that Iovine kind of failed to convey the intended message here. All he’s doing is clarifying what he meant, which I’m totally fine with. If people start clamouring for him to be fired or some equally overblown reaction, I’d definitely oppose it.
Apple looks too desperate these days, they should let the quality of their products and services speak instead
He didn’t say anything sexist. Geez SJW, get a life.
BURN HIM!