Beats By Dre Chief Marketing Officer Omar Johnson Leaving Company Next Month

[MacRumors]

One of the instrumental executives who oversaw the rise of Beats By Dre as a brand, chief marketing officer Omar Johnson, has announced that he is leaving the company on November 1 (via Fast Company).

Johnson didn't give a specific reason as to why he is leaving the company, but his departure date will mark six years since he came onboard in 2010.

Back then he was vice president of marketing before being named CMO in 2012, two years before Apple would come in and acquire the brand for $3 billion.

Working with the ad agency R/GA, Johnson helped craft some of the most well-known Beats By Dre advertisements, fueling its "transition from a curiosity to a constant presence in pop culture."

An example of one of the ads Johnson helped create​

Although his departure from the company wasn't explained, Beats co-founder and current Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine commented on the announcement, describing Johnson as "one of the most talented marketing executives" he's ever met and an instrumental factor in what Beats By Dre eventually became.

In an email, Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine said, "Omar Johnson is a one of the most talented marketing executives I've ever met and we couldn't have built Beats without him. He has my support in his future endeavor."

After Johnson leaves, his former "right-hand man" Jason White will become executive vice president of marketing at Beats. Before he's gone for good, Johnson is said to focus on putting the finishing touches on two new global brand campaigns that will be debuting soon.

Article Link: Beats By Dre Chief Marketing Officer Omar Johnson Leaving Company Next Month

 

[Nr123*123]

No doubt that Beats by Dre is a great brand, but it's position within Apple remains a mystery.

If they wanted help with Apple Music licencing they could have just employed Jimmy Iovine and Dr Dre on a collaboration basis.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Probably finally tried the product and realized how horrible they are

 

[anthorumor]

Probably finally tried the product and realized how horrible they are

What product? Certainly it can't be a MacBook Pro, because they don't seem to exist anymore.

 

[djcerla]

Probably finally tried the product and realized how horrible they are

the Beats Powerbeats 2 have been one of the best tech purchases in my life.

 

[Aluminum213]

Probably finally tried the product and realized how horrible they are

With this level of ingenious hilarity, you should write for Hollywood

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise

 

[kmm1482]

I worked on the commercial featured in the article!

 

[smacrumon]

Interested to know where he is moving next.

 

[Born Again]

I wish him luck.

So does that leave one other black person working at Apple?!

 

[RowellE]

I thought that was Jason Derulo for a second!

 

[2457282]

Courage, Omar, Courage!

 

[MH01]

He did a great job, cause the early beats products were utter garbage and still sold. Kudos to him and his team

 

[Mac 128]

Probably finally tried the product and realized how horrible they are

Nah, he just has no idea how to market a Lightning headphone. ;-)

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I wish him luck.

So does that leave one other black person working at Apple?!

Yes, and not female. That should give you something to comment on.

 

[Born Again]

Yes, and not female. That should give you something to comment on.

you must be great at parties.

 

[v0lume4]

I wish him luck.

So does that leave one other black person working at Apple?!

Yep. Of Apple'a 115,000 employees, only one of them is black.

 

[miknos]

I wish him luck.

So does that leave one other black person working at Apple?!

Apple is going to hire another black. They're increasing the quota every year.

NBA should do something too. Too many blacks there.

 

[FellaMeLad]

I thought that was Jason Derulo for a second!

Yeah - cos all black people look alike, right?

He looks nothing like Jason Derulo

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Yep. Of Apple'a 115,000 employees, only one of them is black.

Really? I thought I saw more than one black shop-floorer at my Apple shop the other day. But perhaps you mean non-retail.

At any rate, his not giving a reason for leaving leaves a mystery in the air.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

you must be great at parties.

Actually I am...I go without an agenda.
[doublepost=1475709016][/doublepost]

Yeah - cos all black people look alike, right?

He looks nothing like Jason Derulo

Actually, being completely unbiased because I don't know who either men are or what they look like, but looking at Google images, I could see how someone would say their looks could be mistaken.