U2 jumps ship from Apple to Research in Motion

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
In a move that will clearly distance itself from one-time ally Apple, world-famous alternative rock band U2 revealed plans for its upcoming tour to be sponsored by Apple rival Research in Motion, in what the two sides are calling a "shared vision."



What had once been a very close relationship between U2 and Apple seems to be over. As the band prepares its new Live Nation-presented U2 360 tour -- expected to be its biggest yet -- the band has announced Research In Motion with its BlackBerry line of smartphones will be the tour's major sponsor.



"This tour announcement marks the first stage of a relationship and shared vision between RIM and U2 that we expect will lead to new and innovative ways to enhance the mobile music experience on the BlackBerry platform for U2 fans," said manager Paul McGuinness. "We look forward to sharing more details as the relationship unfolds."



The tour will visit fourteen European cities, then move to North America with a September engagement at Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears football team.



"I think this deal says a lot more about U2's commercialism and partnership with Live Nation than it does about the future of iPod and Apple's ongoing influence in the music industry," CNBC's Jim Goldman said about the matter.



In October 2004 Apple and the band hosted a special event together to introduce the new black and red iPod U2 Special Edition.



An advertisement for U2's upcoming tour | Image courtesy of U2365.com.





"U2 is one of the greatest bands in the world and we are floored to be working with them," Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said at the time. "We just want to make some innovative products together, and we hope U2 fans will love having their very own special edition iPod."







A year later, U2 helped launch the new iPod video with an ad campaign featuring a live music video for the track "Original of the Species."







In June 2006, another new U2 iPod, now with video, was unveiled.







U2 frontman and activist Bono also helped debut several (PRODUCT) RED iPods to benefit a campaign to fight AIDS in Africa.



In his report, Goldman added one interesting fact that could be a possible reason behind the shift for U2 away from Apple. Bono is a partner in the venture firm Elevation Partners, which owns 39 percent of Palm. The handset company is planning to release its touchscreen Pre smartphone to compete with Apple's iPhone sometime this summer.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 111
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Good for U2. They are a business and just like any business they need to look out for their own interests and the interests of their "shareholders" (the fans). Not a big deal.
  • Reply 2 of 111
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    RIMM? Why not Palm, since Bono is a shareholder in elevation partners?
  • Reply 3 of 111
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    Good for U2. They are a business and just like any business they need to look out for their own interests and the interests of their "shareholders" (the fans). Not a big deal.



    I agree. I don't understand when people pooh-pooh musicians for wanting to be financially successful.



    However, I do think this is a big deal, but from another perspective. This shows that RiM is definitely moving into a more competitive role against the iPhone by clearly moving away from business-only devices with little to no real multimedia support. This is a good thing.
  • Reply 4 of 111
    tcphototcphoto Posts: 65member
    U2 simply made the best deal for them. Apple and their customers cannot take it personally. I am sure that both Apple and U2 profited from their dealings and it was time to look elsewhere for the sponsorship of the next tour.
  • Reply 5 of 111
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    To state article's facts in a different way, but there hasn't been a U2 themed iPod for two or three years, and that color theme was in line with the How to Build an Atomic Bomb album.



    It may be just as well for Apple to not bother with the new album, it's not that inspiring anyway. It's competent background music, but not something I would make special effort to listen to for its own sake.



    The only thing remains with Apple that is close is the (red) initiative.



    I agree that a Palm promotion would seem in order, but maybe they felt that RIMM was a better partner for the money, mindshare or the reach. It might seem like a conflict of interest to go with Palm as well, who knows, there probably were several other reasonable considerations behind the scenes too. It looks like Elevation Partners is a lot more than just the band too, though the band is the most well-known part of the company.
  • Reply 6 of 111
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Ouch! What happebned? Isn't Apple green enough?? All the products have been compromised for the politically correct set and now this snub?
  • Reply 7 of 111
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post


    To state article's facts in a different way, but there hasn't been a U2 themed iPod for two or three years, and that color theme was in line with the How to Build an Atomic Bomb album.



    It may be just as well for Apple to not bother with the new album, it's not that inspiring, it's competent background music, but not something I would make special effort to listen to for its own sake.



    OMG- now we're bashing U2's album as "uninspiring" to placate Apple's loss?
  • Reply 8 of 111
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by tcphoto View Post


    U2 simply made the best deal for them. Apple and their customers cannot take it personally. I am sure that both Apple and U2 profited from their dealings and it was time to look elsewhere for the sponsorship of the next tour.



    Keep in mind also, that the guy mainly responsible for making the U2 deal happen is out of commission. I'd bet that also played a big part in U2's decision.
  • Reply 9 of 111
    2oh12oh1 Posts: 503member
    In this economy, the last thing I'd want to see Apple do is waste money sponsoring the U2 tour. Don't get me wrong - I think half of the new U2 album is great, and they were amazing on Letterman last week. I bet the tour will be amazing too - but times are tough. Let someone else foot the bill.
  • Reply 10 of 111
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    OMG- now we're putting down U2's album as "uninspiring" to placate Apple's loss?



    Actually, I'm a fan of U2 (not a huge fan, mind you) and I have to agree. The new album is kind of weak as far as memorable songs goes. I only bought one of the singles.
  • Reply 11 of 111
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    OMG- now we're bashing U2's album as "uninspiring" to placate Apple's loss?



    I don't recall any of the regular posters here grandstanding U2's more recent music when they were with Apple.



    PS: For the record so I can refer to this post in the future, I can't think of single musician that Apple has used to close out an event or used in their commercials that I really care for. Sure, I like some of the songs, but that is about it.
  • Reply 12 of 111
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    OMG- now we're bashing U2's album as "uninspiring" to placate Apple's loss?



    I really don't think Apple cares that much what I say for or against them. Not only that, the previous deal was long gone.



    But then, I've only listened to the newest album once.
  • Reply 13 of 111
    brlawyerbrlawyer Posts: 828member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by teckstud View Post


    Ouch! What happebned? Isn't Apple green enough?? All the products have been compromised for the politically correct set and now this snub?



    U2 stopped being musically relevant at least 20 years ago, so I couldn't care less...and by the way, Bono, it's about time you changed those ridiculous "goggles"...they make you look like an alien.
  • Reply 14 of 111
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post


    Actually, I'm a fan of U2 (not a huge fan, mind you) and I have to agree. The new album is kind of weak as far as memorable songs goes. I only bought one of the singles.



    But it's their whole body of work and band name recognition. When you hear iPod you think of U2, not "How to bla , bla, bla".
  • Reply 15 of 111
    dimmokdimmok Posts: 359member
    Go BEARS! Go 2 Hell U2....that new album sucks big time.



    Keep it.
  • Reply 16 of 111
    Message to U2: Good luck with the Rim job!
  • Reply 17 of 111
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    I don't recall any of the regular posters here grandstanding U2's more recent music when they were with Apple.



    PS: For the record so I can refer to this post in the future, I can't think of single musician that Apple has used to close out an event or used in their commercials that I really care for. Sure, I like some of the songs, but that is about it.



    Not even The Beatles and "Revolution"?



    Well lots were defintitely raving about the whole U2 catalogue loaded on an iPod and the Red and Black special iPods.
  • Reply 18 of 111
    abster2coreabster2core Posts: 2,501member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    I agree. I don't understand when people pooh-pooh musicians for wanting to be financially successful.



    However, I do think this is a big deal, but from another perspective. This shows that RiM is definitely moving into a more competitive role against the iPhone by clearly moving away from business-only devices with little to no real multimedia support. This is a good thing.



    I don't think so.



    RIM is in trouble. Stock down. Sales down. Service is down (not today, but soon)



    Their new phones are being returned.



    Their attempt to unseat the iPhone has failed.



    They suffered some severe fines.



    And relying on an old rocker who buries his wealth in off-shore island accounts' strategy is going to turn a pigs ear into a gold purse? I wouldn't bet on it.
  • Reply 19 of 111
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by brlawyer View Post


    U2 stopped being musically relevant at least 20 years ago, so I couldn't care less...and by the way, Bono, it's about time you changed those ridiculous "goggles"...they make you look like an alien.



    Now that's just harsh. U2 is still a musically creative band, and I love what Brian Eno does, but the new songs are not my favorites... at least they didn't fall into the morass that became "Chinese Democracy". Now THAT is a sonic disaster.
  • Reply 20 of 111
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Abster2core View Post


    And relying on an old rocker who buries his wealth in off-shore islands strategy is going to turn a pigs ear into a gold purse? I wouldn't bet on it.



    I heard about that. Don't think it's made headlines over here like it did in the UK.
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