iPhone marketing head goes to VC firm; iTunes breaks records after Jackson death

[AppleInsider]

One of Apple's more publicly visible executives has left to join a venture capital firm. Meanwhile, Apple has unintentionally benefitted as those mourning Michael Jackson's death have flocked to iTunes to buy the pop star's music in what's likely to be record numbers.

Borchers quits Apple to join VC group

Best known as "Bob" from some of Apple's guided tour videos, the company's senior director of worldwide iPhone product marketing Bob Borchers has left his employer to join the venture capital group Opus Capital as one of its partners.

The executive had been at Apple since 2004 and helped direct Apple's public image for the iPhone and iPod at alternate points in his five-year tenure. However, despite considering Apple an "amazing" place to work, he felt it time to leave as there were too many irresistable "white spaces" in the cellular business that could use investment, such as marketing and medicine.

It's not known who will replace Borchers at Apple.

Apple unwitting beneficiary of Jackson death

As millions have sought to pay tribute to Michael Jackson following his sudden death on Thursday, Apple has inadvertently found itself profiting from the occasion through the iTunes Store.

As of Friday evening, six out of the top ten songs being purchased on the US store belonged to the legendary singer, while a staggering nine out of ten top albums came from the musician. About 19 of the top 25 music videos were either for Jackson specifically or else one of his collaborative projects, such as the "We Are the World" charity song. No previous artist, living or dead, has achieved that level of popularity on the music service since it opened in 2003.

While undoubtedly beneficial for Apple, the company has been restrained in its approach to the tragedy. Beyond posting a single banner to honor Jackson's passing -- a customary gesture it has regularly made for other artists, such as James Brown or Johnny Cash -- the company has not taken any extra steps to advertise its song library.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[nace33]

There is a MJ Tribute poster on the front page of my iTunes.

[solipsism]

I had looked up the iTS stats a little while ago and was gathering the data to send to AI. Oh well, I guess that saves me a little time and effort now.

[whatisgoingon]

and up the prices on all his songs to $1.29...

From a quick look, only his hits look to be $1.29...

and bizarrely, the long, 6 minute version of Billie Jean is $.99, while all the short 4 minute versions are $1.29... weird.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by whatisgoingon

and bizarrely, the long, 6 minute version of Billie Jean is $.99, while all the short 4 minute versions are $1.29... weird.

I wouldn’t call that bizarre. Since songs aren’t priced based on duration it could be simply popularity based or some more convoluted ownership or rights to different versions of the song.

PS: Anyone notice the prices prior to his untimely demise?

[SpamSandwich]

There has been a number of higher-ups who have recently left Apple to do something else. I wonder if this is an indicator we need to be concerned about. Growing companies and those on an upward trend should attract people.

[Thorsten]

Great the guy is dead, will never see this money.
And probably anybody else involved with making these songs will not see any money either.
its just money to the industry.

I feel people are getting the money, who don't deserve to get it.
Or what do you think?

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by Thorsten

Great the guy is dead, will never see this money.
And probably anybody else involved with making these songs will not see any money either.
its just money to the industry.

I feel people are getting the money, who don't deserve to get it.
Or what do you think?

He died with at least 400 million in debt. Any money his estate can make right now so his children have a fair shake at a decent future seems like a good thing to me.

As pampered as they appear to be, the reality of life after their Dad is dead is going to hit them like a brick anyway.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

There has been a number of higher-ups who have recently left Apple to do something else. I wonder if this is an indicator we need to be concerned about. Growing companies and those on an upward trend should attract people.

These things happen all the time.

Ruby left Apple as well. And he was quite valuable. And then Apple went on to continue making great things. Frankly, Borcher was working for someone. He was an employee. At some point it's perfectly reasonable for someone to move on to different, more independent work.

[Gyokuro]

Originally Posted by Thorsten

Great the guy is dead, will never see this money.
And probably anybody else involved with making these songs will not see any money either.
its just money to the industry.

I feel people are getting the money, who don't deserve to get it.
Or what do you think?

I believe there will be a handful of people in the music industry that will profit from this, however, MJ was nearly bankrupt just a few years ago......

It would be wise to consider the affect his death will have on his children. They will hopefully never have to worry about money for their entire life.

[Porchland]

iTunes may or may have had a sales boost as a result of Michael Jackson fans buying tracks, but you can't tell by looking at an ordinal ranking.

[jonnyb]

Unintentional, my arse. The Michael jackson spot was up on the iTunes store when I was up at 6am this morning.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by Thorsten

Great the guy is dead, will never see this money.
And probably anybody else involved with making these songs will not see any money either.
its just money to the industry.

I feel people are getting the money, who don't deserve to get it.
Or what do you think?

I think we don't know jack s*** about the guy's actual life other than what the Tabloids and his own bizarre antics portrayed.

[MacTripper]

Best known as "Bob" from some of Apple's guided tour videos, the company's senior director of worldwide iPhone product marketing Bob Borchers has left his employer to join the venture capital group Opus Capital as one of its partners.

It could be that Apple is entrenching itself for a long economic downturn.

While undoubtedly beneficial for Apple, the company has been restrained in its approach to the tragedy.

And very wisely so given the history of the artist.

[OC4Theo]

It surprises me that these well paid executives leave a solid company with unlimited potential to try something new and shaky.
It is like leaving a boat in the middle of the ocean, jumping in the water, so you might catch a bigger fish. The risk with this mentality is that not only you may never catch the bigger fish, you can also drown.

But then, when you have a life jacket ( big bank account and stocks ), you can jump ship even when there is no land in sight. Money can make seemingly educated people do unthinkable things.

Good luck Mr Borchers, at least you are smart enough not to join the competition.

[Mac Voyer]

When a football team wins the Super Bowl, the coaching staff become highly sought after. No one goes after the coaches of a losing team. Apple has won the consumer electronics Super Bowl several years in a row. You might even call them a dynasty. Of course everyone wants a piece of that action.

Fare well, MJ. We will miss you. You are the end of an era, the last of the mega-stars.

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

It surprises me that these well paid executives leave a solid company with unlimited potential to try something new and shaky...

It could be that your attitude is why you aren't a high-paid executive! (and neither am I... I'm not criticizing you.)
It's generally true that you must take great risks to reap great rewards.

Also, your own comment about already having a big bank account certainly makes it easier for one to step away from a "secure" position.

As for the news about Michael Jackson, I just can't get over the fact that the general population cares more about that than about what's being done in Washington DC. People must not really be that "bad off" when they pay more attention to celebrities than to things that actually affect their lives.

[TBell]

Perhaps some people like a challenge and get bored of doing the same thing all the time. Money and security aren't their driving forces.

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

It surprises me that these well paid executives leave a solid company with unlimited potential to try something new and shaky.
It is like leaving a boat in the middle of the ocean, jumping in the water, so you might catch a bigger fish. The risk with this mentality is that not only you may never catch the bigger fish, you can also drown.

But then, when you have a life jacket ( big bank account and stocks ), you can jump ship even when there is no land in sight. Money can make seemingly educated people do unthinkable things.

Good luck Mr Borchers, at least you are smart enough not to join the competition.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by TBell

Perhaps some people like a challenge and get bored of doing the same thing all the time. Money and security aren't their driving forces.

I think think thr last thing Borcher is having is money problems.

At a certain point, you're free enough to get creative and do your own thing.

Success in business - hell, the entire concept of entrepreneurship is RISK.

[wilco]

Originally Posted by Gyokuro

They will hopefully never have to worry about money for their entire life.

Why shouldn't they have to worry about money? They're entitled to life-long financial security because their father was once rich?

In any case, the pedophile probably set up trusts for his "children", which couldn't be touched by his creditors. And, they'll most likely end up with their biological mothers, who presumably still have the millions that Jackson paid them.

[brucep]

Originally Posted by wilco

Why shouldn't they have to worry about money? They're entitled to life-long financial security because their father was once rich?

In any case, the pedophile probably set up trusts for his "children", which couldn't be touched by his creditors. And, they'll most likely end up with their biological mothers, who presumably still have the millions that Jackson paid them.

And tonight the wee ones are safe .

[Galley]

60% of the all the CDs sold by Amazon.com on Thursday were by Michael Jackson. Wow!

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Gyokuro

I believe there will be a handful of people in the music industry that will profit from this, however, MJ was nearly bankrupt just a few years ago......

It would be wise to consider the affect his death will have on his children. They will hopefully never have to worry about money for their entire life.

I wonder if the people that never really had to worry about money necessarily are better off for that.

Originally Posted by Thorsten

Great the guy is dead, will never see this money.
And probably anybody else involved with making these songs will not see any money either.
its just money to the industry.

I think the estate still gets residuals / royalties. I've heard the death of an artist often leads to an increase in value of the works left behind.

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

It surprises me that these well paid executives leave a solid company with unlimited potential to try something new and shaky.
It is like leaving a boat in the middle of the ocean, jumping in the water, so you might catch a bigger fish. The risk with this mentality is that not only you may never catch the bigger fish, you can also drown.

But then, when you have a life jacket ( big bank account and stocks ), you can jump ship even when there is no land in sight. Money can make seemingly educated people do unthinkable things.

Why did people leave comfortable lives to explore the Arctic, Antarctic, climb Everest, etc.? There are many reasons, but find some answers to that and I think you'll be closer to understanding. Besides, money doesn't always mean the same thing between different people. Maybe your ideal of someone that "made it" isn't as satisfying to another person as you might expect? Sometimes staying in one place, doing the same things, might seem stifling and boring, why do so many people change their possessions more often than is warranted?

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by Galley

60% of the all the CDs sold by Amazon.com on Thursday were by Michael Jackson. Wow!

They also have 1-3 week availability dates before more are available, that's how massive the sales figures were.

Kind of depressing all the high-profile celebrities that died this week: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael.

[Dunks]

I'll admit iTunes was my first thought when I heard the news.

[nvidia2008]

At the end of the day these guys/gals have that life jacket all ready to go. A lifeboat, even. They've got savings, stocks, investments, and this Bob dude wouldn't have moved if there wasn't a big fat chunky tuna sandwich of money to be made, risks or otherwise. These people know what they are doing. At least, most of them. The minority are the riches-to-rags tragedy cases and fraudsters, etc.

Entrepreneurship is *managing* risk. Not just about risk. But what would I know... I went down the path of studying hard and the idea of working hard and following the rules. That's why I'm probably not a highly-paid anything. ...Nah it's not that bad. Got a bit more freedom nowadays by using what street smarts I got.

Originally Posted by TBell

Perhaps some people like a challenge and get bored of doing the same thing all the time. Money and security aren't their driving forces.

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

It surprises me that these well paid executives leave a solid company with unlimited potential to try something new and shaky.
It is like leaving a boat in the middle of the ocean, jumping in the water, so you might catch a bigger fish. The risk with this mentality is that not only you may never catch the bigger fish, you can also drown.

But then, when you have a life jacket ( big bank account and stocks ), you can jump ship even when there is no land in sight. Money can make seemingly educated people do unthinkable things.

Good luck Mr Borchers, at least you are smart enough not to join the competition.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

I think think thr last thing Borcher is having is money problems.

At a certain point, you're free enough to get creative and do your own thing.

Success in business - hell, the entire concept of entrepreneurship is RISK.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Dunks

I'll admit iTunes was my first thought when I heard the news.

My first thought, was that it was all quite sudden. Anyways I bet a lot of activity is going on the torrents as well, though that's a younger crowd so maybe they ain't too familiar with the tragic genius that was MJ.

[imGayForSteveJobs]

It was an assassination. MJ was in debt, the creditors needed the money.

I bet Obama was in on it too, that freeloader.

[Tenchi211]

Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson. The haters and the ignorant will continue to hate. Guilty until proven innocent....

[ncee]

Not defending anything he has or hasn't done, but I believe you meant to say was "The alleged pedophile" …

You, I (and Millions like us) can think or feel what we what, but it's not a good idea to state something that, well, he wasn't convicted of.

You should or could say "I believe he is a pedophile" and in my opinion should / shouldn't have, get, leave behind …

Skip



In any case, the pedophile probably set up trusts for his "children", which couldn't be touched by his creditors. And, they'll most likely end up with their biological mothers, who presumably still have the millions that Jackson paid them.[/QUOTE]

[csimmons]

Originally Posted by imGayForSteveJobs

It was an assassination. MJ was in debt, the creditors needed the money.

I bet Obama was in on it too, that freeloader.

Sure. Because as you know, Obama was also responsible for Mark Sanford cheating on his wife (according to Rush Limbaugh).

Think he might have had a hand in Farrah Fawcett & Ed McMahon's deaths too?

[Quadra 610]

I think that right now, so close to the man's death, it's in rather poor taste to be calling him names or going out of your way to disparage him, regardless of your opinon of him.

And it has already been demonstrated that he was mentally ill and had some serious personality disorders, but he was not a predator. People like him, with child-like minds, are simply sick, and they are in need of help, not ignorant dismissals.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by imGayForSteveJobs

It was an assassination. MJ was in debt, the creditors needed the money.

I bet Obama was in on it too, that freeloader.

You were actually going somewhere mildly interesting with your first sentence. And then you posted nonsense in the second.

If you don't like him, explain why. Because as it stands now, you're alleging Obama is either a welfare case or doesn't do anything but lounge around.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by TBell

Perhaps some people like a challenge and get bored of doing the same thing all the time. Money and security aren't their driving forces.

Perhaps the VC company will be in a better position to help developers of Apple related products now. It may be that Apple is happy with this move.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

You were actually going somewhere mildly interesting with your first sentence. And then you posted nonsense in the second.

If you don't like him, explain why. Because as it stands now, you're alleging Obama is either a welfare case or doesn't do anything but lounge around.

I think it was a joke

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

I think it was a joke

Given the poster's history, coulda fooled me . . .

[wilco]

Originally Posted by ncee

...I believe you meant to say was "The alleged pedophile" …

Nope. I would have written "alleged pedophile" if that's what I meant.

In my eyes, the $20 million payout he made to one of his victims is enough reason.

Anyway, Target is having a special Michael Jackson sale this weekend -- Boy's pants half off!

[robogobo]

1)*** to all those disrespectful enough to say anything but nice about MJ right now. He influenced good in your life much more than you realize, and swallowing everything the media trumped up about him even after due process is ignorant and foolish.

2) I'm pretty sure MJ's estate can sell off a few goodies to recover $400M in less than a month.

3) Apple might want to think about the image of profiting heavily from a star's death so acutely, and consider donating those profits to rehab centers for pain killer addicts. Just an idea.

4) repeat #1. I feel sad at the loss of the king of pop. Even though he had only a couple good albums, IMO, they changed the music world forever, and provided a generation both identity and a whole lot of mojo. RIP Jacko.[/quote]

EDIT: language. Please be careful.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by robogobo

1) ***** to all those disrespectful enough to say anything but nice about MJ right now. He influenced good in your life much more than you realize, and swallowing everything the media trumped up about him even after due process is ignorant and foolish.

2) I'm pretty sure MJ's estate can sell off a few goodies to recover $400M in less than a month.

3) Apple might want to think about the image of profiting heavily from a star's death so acutely, and consider donating those profits to rehab centers for pain killer addicts. Just an idea.

4) repeat #1. I feel sad at the loss of the king of pop. Even though he had only a couple good albums, IMO, they changed the music world forever, and provided a generation both identity and a whole lot of mojo. RIP Jacko.

i) Did you defend him like this when he was alive and people made plastic surgery, white skin or pedophila jokes about him, or is this simply because he is now dead and can't be affected by such jokes? Did you ever make those jokes yourself?

ii) I wish I could say that I feel affected by his death but it's not like he was producing any more new music so I feel no direct loss or change to my life. If he was working on a new album and it's now incomplete I might feel some loss but he was not my friend, my family, or someone who directs affects me so I feel for him as much as I feel for the unknown people who die every minute around the world.

iii) McMahon and Fawcett are getting the shaft. Ed was old but Farrah was still relatively young and suffered for awhile with a horrible cancer. That is sad.

iiii) I have heard absolutely no talk about his children. You know, the ones that lost their father. The focus from the media and people is more about how his music affected them with no consideration for their loss.

[patroll]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

While undoubtedly beneficial for Apple, the company...

The way this is written, it means that Apple is undoubtedly beneficial for itself. This type of error appears in almost every other AI article.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordinateclause.htm