Apple Sets Sights on Media Industry, Appoints Disney CEO to Corporate Board

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Apple is already a retail giant in terms of music. But with plans to get Apple TVs into everyone’s living room, Apple has appointed Disney executive — and longtime friend of Steve Jobs — Bob Iger to the corporate board.

Apple’s corporate board has long been running without a chairman, instead being led by co-lead directors from independent companies. But given Steve Jobs’ influence on both his executives and the corporate board, Apple ‘s direction and vision has been a focused one, which has led to the string of successes that its products have experienced, including the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad.

But with Steve Jobs’ health problems, he has had to relinquish executive control and was instead appointed chairman, still overseeing the company’s vision. As Jobs has passed away, Apple’s leadership still remains strong — with Tim Cook at the helm — but might be in need of more corporate guidance, amid the fast-changing technology and media industry landscape.

Apple was reported to be looking into launching an integrated Apple TV product as part of its long-term goals, and as such, the company has found it fitting to name Disney Corp’s President and CEO Bob Iger as a director. With this move, analysts say Apple is getting into high gear with its plans to enter into video and content distribution. Investors believe that Apple will be launching a “full-fledged assault on TV.” As this might be difficult to arrange with cable and content companies, Iger’s presence (and influence) is likely to work toward Apple’s benefit. Steve Jobs himself had been a director at Disney, and worked with Iger when Disney acquired computer animation firm Pixar, which Jobs then co-owned.

Apple will be facing stiff competition, although the IPTV market is currently fragmented. Still, the company has recently launched iTunes Match, which is a music-syncing service based on the cloud. Apple’s arch-rival Google will also soon launch its Music service, and is reportedly also increasing its efforts in pushing Google TV to the masses.

Will TV and multimedia content be the new frontier for tech companies like Apple and Google?