When iOS 7 launches in a couple of weeks, one of the big new features will be iTunes Radio. Not only will it be big for users, but it is also good news for Apple and advertisers as the service will bring Apple over into the audio and visual ads domain.
To help with the introduction of audio and video ads on iTunes Radio, Apple seems to be on a iAd hiring spree. The company has reportedly posted roughly 40 iAd related job openings on its site and LinkedIn within the month of August alone. Many of these postings include high-up executive positions such as a “Creative Design Manager” who would “oversee rich media ads for such brands as McDonald’s, Pepsi and Proctor & Gamble.”
Advertising will clearly be a big part of iTunes Radio, with Apple having already signed several $10 million dollar contracts with companies such as McDonalds, Pepsi, Proctor & Gamble, and Nissan. These contracts ensure that these companies will be exclusive advertisers on iTunes Radio until the end of 2013 for their respective industries.
While so much effort is being put into the design of these ads, remember you can still avoid them by signing up for the $25 per year iTunes Match service.
