Apple has confirmed reports of job losses at Beats as a part of its $3 billion acquisition. “We’re excited to have the Beats team join Apple, and we have extended job offers to every Beats employee,” says Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr. “Because of some overlap in our operations, some offers are for a limited period and we’ll work hard during this time to find as many of these Beats employees as we can another permanent job within Apple.” Sources say that last week, about 200 out of Beats’ 700 employees were told that their positions are now temporary, and will be cut within the next few months.
Apple is cutting around 200 jobs at Beats Electronics as it prepares to close on its $3 billion purchase of the audio equipment and music-streaming company, The Post has learned. The cuts, ahead of the Aug. 1 closing of the deal, amount to about 40 percent of Beats’ global workforce, sources said. The Beats buy is widely aimed at giving Apple a fresh impetus in connecting with a hip design-focused consumer — as well as a toehold in the rapidly expanding streaming music world. It is the firm’s largest acquisition under CEO Tim Cook. “Last week everyone was given an offer from Apple. Some were transitional offers with a set end date,” a source close to the situation said. Beats’ management — including music chiefs Luke Wood and Ian Rogers and creative boss Trent Reznor — will join Apple, according to Beats insiders. Reznor is also the front man for the rock group Nine Inch Nails. News of an unspecified number of layoffs at Beats was first reported in tech blog 9To5Mac. Reznor tweeted on June 2. “ …but YES I am still CCO of Beats Music and looking forward to what lies ahead with Apple.” He hasn’t commented since.