Apple Beats 1 strategy exec Ian Rogers quits two months after launch
Ian Rogers, one of the top executives behind Beats 1, Apple's online radio platform, has resigned before the streaming service's three month free trial expires.
Rogers, the former chief executive of Beats before the Apple takeover, was one of the minds behind the launch of Beats 1, along with former BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, in June. He reportedly quit without warning according to the Financial Times.
This is despite a seemingly proud Rogers writing on the launch day of Beats 1: “Seeing Apple Music on stage at WWDC this month…it was hard not to feel like the last 20+ years was leading to this day."
The executive quits just before the company looks to convert its substantial free user base to paying customers. It claims that 11m people signed up for the trial in its four first weeks.
Apple has a task ahead growing its audience to challenge Spotify's 80m users - especially without input from Rogers who was vital to the whole project.
Apple has refused to comment on the move.