Apple to Nearly Double In-House Marketing Design Team

According to Advertising Age, Apple will nearly double it in-house design team by adding 200-300 new designers. The addition aims to give Apple more control over its creative product. A source inside Apple told Ad Age the group has traditionally been kept small because Steve Jobs wanted Apple to be a product company, not a marketing company.

The increase dovetails with a recent Association of National Advertisers study which found marketers with in-house ad shops increased to 58% from 42% five years ago.

While likely not in reaction to the brand's failed Designed by Apple in California campaign, which was designed by TBWA/Media Arts Lab, here's hoping this beefed up internal creative group can come up with something better.

But to clarify, the brand will continue to work with outside agencies on major campaigns.