According to a report by Business Insider, Apple Inc. is on the hunt for a new ad sales executive focusing on TV content.
The company's growing live sports deals, such as Major League Soccer and MLB Friday Night Baseball, are set to expand Apple's involvement in video advertising. The Cupertino-based company is now working to place an executive in charge of its ad sales.
Additionally, rumors are circulating that Apple may launch an ad-supported tier of its streaming service, Apple TV+, as early as this year.
Apple's Move Into Advertising
The move into advertising could incentivize Apple to go beyond its "all originals" strategy for TV+, with more content meaning more opportunities for ad placement.
The company is reportedly looking at people like Peter Naylor, the chief digital advertising officer at Paramount Global and the vice president of ad sales at Netflix.
Apple TV+ currently costs $6.99 per month and includes unlimited 4K viewing for up to six family members but no ads or commercials. A report from 9to5Mac tells us that a lower-cost ad-supported tier could help drive viewership to Apple's original content, which, despite critical acclaim, has struggled to gain mass public awareness.
With Netflix and Disney launching ad plans at the end of 2022, Apple TV+ is the only major streaming service provider that does not offer a cheaper ad-supported option. Apple is also planning a large presence at this year's Cannes Film Festival, a hotspot for ad executives to strike deals.
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According to reports, Apple is also committed to promoting its content slate, which may explain its interest in Cannes. For example, the major upcoming feature film 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese, is rumored to be the festival's main attraction.
More from Apple TV+
Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, spoke about the company's upcoming plans and expressed his excitement for the new year. In his 34th anniversary at Apple, he stated that there's much more to come and that the company is looking forward to sharing it with its customers.
Apple TV+ had a successful year in 2022, premiering some of the year's most acclaimed series and films. The streaming service's original content received numerous awards, including multiple Emmy and AFI nominations.
One of Apple TV+'s most notable accomplishments was the historic win of the Academy Award for Best Picture with the original film "CODA." The movie was one of several critically acclaimed original movies on the streaming service this year. Others were "Cha Cha Real Smooth," "Luck," "Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me," and "Spirited," which has become the most-watched movie on the service.
In addition to its film offerings, Apple TV+ has premiered several critically acclaimed and award-winning original series. Global sensation Ted Lasso continued its success, winning the Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series for its second season. Other well-known series include Pachinko and Severance, earning AFI Program of the Year honors.
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