According to a new report from Variety today, Apple has tapped public relations veteran Brian Bumbery to serve as its Director of Publicity for Apple Music. The move comes as part of what Variety calls a “larger transition” at Apple Music amid Jimmy Iovine’s move to a consulting role…
In the past, Bumbery has worked with the likes of Metallica, Green Day, Chris Cornell, and Madonna, and spent eight years at Warner Brothers Records. In 2011, he launched his own press firm BB Gun Press – which will continue under the leadership of Luke Burland, a former Warner Bros. colleague of Bumbery.
The appointment of Bumbery comes as Jimmy Iovine has transitioned a consultant role for Apple Music. While not departing completely, the record industry veteran is moving back from day-to-day involvement at Apple.
Bumbery in no stranger to Apple Music, though. Variety notes that his BB Gun Press firm has been working with Apple Music for “many months,” which could explain Metallica’s glowing review of the service a few years back.
Interestingly, Variety’s report today also claims that Apple Music is “on track to overtake global market leader Spotify in the U.S. within the next few months.” This contradicts a report from last month, which indicated that Apple Music had more paying United States subscribers than Spotify.
Related stories:
- Long-time iTunes holdouts Metallica “feel very safe” with Apple Music from “the coolest company in the world”
- Major music distributor says Apple Music now has more US paying subscribers than Spotify
- Jimmy Iovine denies he’s leaving Apple, says he wants to make streaming ‘more interesting’
- After Jimmy Iovine denied departure rumor, fresh report says he will be less involved with Apple Music
