Gateway Promotes MP3 Service

[MacRumors]

CNet reports (http://news.com.com/2100-1027-994428.html) that Gateway is launching an ad campaign promoting their digital-music packages -- which also promotes MP3 services, Listen.com and Emusic.com:

Dubbed "Rip, Burn, Respect"--a not-so-oblique reference to Apple's "Rip, Mix, Burn" campaign of 2002--the television ads that will saturate the United States beginning Thursday night aim mostly at showing how Gateway's digital-music packages simplify online music.

The aim of the ads appear to be to educate consumers regarding their "rights and responsibilities" with regards to digital music (and of course Gateway's offerings).

Apple has been rumored to offer (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/03/20030304095133.shtml) their own version of an digital music download service.

[shadowfax]

i guess it would probably be too unintelligent to say "copycats!" but i feel like it anyways :)

copycats!

[smashedapart]

Wow...a company in the final throes of death. How sad for them. Maybe if they could have done something original they wouldn't be hanging onto the cliff of bankruptcy by their fingernails...with Tweety Bird playing "This Little Piggy"...

Let's face it, Gateway has always been an also-ran.

[ennerseed]

If I was Gateway I would be jealous of Apple also.

[Xero]

this seems a llittle too off topic to be on the front page...?

anyways this just seems like a another PC sales pitch type thing, nothing special.

[Freg3000]

Please Apple, release this new service quickly (April 1st would be nice).

Shoot down this Gateway promotion soon; prove to the world how to do music the right way; the Apple way.

[pyrotoaster]

I've seen the commercial. It's strange and slightly confusing. Gateway totes its special music package, but doesn't explain what it is. That's a real good way to get more customers. :rolleyes:

And why would Gateway want to copy and Apple campaign associated with the Blue Dalmatian and Flower Power iMacs? Great idea.
At least "Rip. Mix. Burn." has a cool sound to it.
"Rip. Burn. Respect." sounds disturbing, and has the words "Copy Protection" written all over it.

Frankly, Gateway had better ads when the talking cow was selling their junk (or as they like to call them, "computers"). Not that I'm complaining... it makes Apple's ads look better (it helps that Apple's running good ads). :p

[zulgand04]

What is this with Gateway, seems like everything they do now is something Apple has already done aka the profile (very ugly) and now this slogin, has it come to the point where they don't have the money to get people to come up with their own ideas, im happy i never did get a gateway several years ago, but a powermac :).


neal

[yumpin yiminy]

Originally posted by ennerseed
If I was Gateway I would be jealous of Apple also.
odd thing is that, like Jobs said, piracy is a behavioral problem, not a tech problem. That "respect" part seems to at least imply a certain amount of acknowledgement that the problem is behavior and not just the ease of file sharing.
though, i say this and have to agree with another poster that is sounds like DRM spirit.

[Hawthorne]

Now if only Gateway made an all-in-one LCD computer to go with it, or maybe built a lightweight laptop with a metal case or a big LCD display or something...

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Apple should be blushing right now.

[pilotgi]

This is not competition for Apple. Apple's rumored music service will be for Macs only.

[SoonToGetAMac]

Originally posted by pilotgi
This is not competition for Apple. Apple's rumored music service will be for Macs only.

If it is rumored, how do you know for sure what platforms it will be for.

[SwitchMonkey]

Huh, Gateway, Gateway2000?

Who's that? Sounds like a niche player..

[SwitchMonkey]

I think Apple should respond quickly with an "Operation Liberate Gateway users" advertising campaign...

.

[Sol]

Rip, Burn, Respect is lame.

I remember reading somewhere that in any business competing on price is what you do when there is nothing more you can offer to the customer over the competition. Dell's whole business strategy seems to be this idea of competing on price and their products show it. Was it Dell that brought out a flat-panel Windows all-in-one computer last year? Anyway, I believe that you get what you pay for and if you pay for a Dell you get a computer that is at best almost as good as the competition... which in Dell's case seems to be Apple.

[Shrek]

Well, good. At least now Apple will have some competition. That could make things much more interesting. :)

[MrMacMan]

Originally posted by SwitchMonkey
I think Apple should respond quickly with an "Operation Liberate Gateway users" advertising campaign...


Maybe so.

Apple Legal is following the blood trail.
That title is really really lame, and a bad ripoff.
Comeon more like 'pirate, burn, steal' comeon, you all love it. ;)

Nah, I think apple legal will send a notice to Gateway saying 'Hell no or lawsuit' will come. Bad ripoff.

[QCassidy352]

Gateway's slogan is so lame that it doesn't seem worth it to bother with a lawsuit... let 'em use it; that slogan's hardly going to get people flocking to them.

[locovaca]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
i guess it would probably be too unintelligent to say "copycats!" but i feel like it anyways :)

copycats!

While I doubt that Gateway will do things right, I would like to point out that Apple has not announced any kind of service, but was only rumored. Gateway, otoh, has announced this service. I sincerely doubt that Gateway just planned this overnight, and for all we know Apple could be copying Gateway. Gateway has been trying to make inroads into more than just computers (remember those annoying "My way" commercials that also advertise MP3 players and Plasma televisions?) and this would seem to be a continuation along that road.

I guess, since this was announced before Apple, I wouldn't just denounce Gateway as a copycat.

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by locovaca
While I doubt that Gateway will do things right, I would like to point out that Apple has not announced any kind of service, but was only rumored. Gateway, otoh, has announced this service. I sincerely doubt that Gateway just planned this overnight, and for all we know Apple could be copying Gateway. Gateway has been trying to make inroads into more than just computers (remember those annoying "My way" commercials that also advertise MP3 players and Plasma televisions?) and this would seem to be a continuation along that road.

I guess, since this was announced before Apple, I wouldn't just denounce Gateway as a copycat.

yep, you're right. that's why i said it was unintellligent. i was kidding! it's the classic mac lover thing to say though. you should chant it some time at MS.

[iJon]

apple could care less about this. everyone knows gateway wont be around too much longer. gateway was stupid to get into the retail store business because they have to much competition. As long as dell is around gateway will crumble.

iJon

[Abercrombieboy]

I live about 40 miles from Gateway Sales and Assembly in Sioux City and all the locals have been saying the company will be filing for bankruptsy before the year is over...

Did anyone ever consider the identity crisis that company has been in over the years? No wonder they are now copying Apple's marketing and product lines.

How many times can you change a logo or a name? First it was Gateway 2000 with a stylized "G" then it was changed to just Gateway with a cowbox logo, now it is Gateway with a "power switch" This is all in what 5 years? It seems that changing a logo was not working so now they are copying Apple marketing. What is next??? An "Apple" with a cow pattern?

My brother used to work for them and they are getting what they deserve for treating him like they did.

[shadowfax]

I have always hated gateway thoroughle=y, though i rarelyeven give them thought now except to chuckle. they truly have done a very poor job of finding even a reasonably appealing logo.

[beatle888]

Originally posted by Xero
this seems a llittle too off topic to be on the front page...?

anyways this just seems like a another PC sales pitch type thing, nothing special.


i think its made the news cause its so similar to apples plans to provide an mp3 service.

[Wonder Boy]

And why would Gateway want to copy and Apple campaign associated with the Blue Dalmatian and Flower Power iMacs? Great idea.



I have a Blue Dalmation. it works a lot better than the Ruby DV model i had to replace. Plus I'm the only person I know with a Blue Dalmation. (maybe the only one in the apple community)

[DreaminDirector]

Gateway cannot stop taking a good formula and making it crap. Sure, there hasn't been huge success in the online music sites, but it sounds like they are doing nothing new.

Are they just finally now promoting that thier computers can make music mix CDs? I don't get it.

And besides, Gateway will look really stupid when Apple (who always shows us something that we need that we never knew we wanted) releases thier version of a music site.

Personally, Gateway and it's old cow should just go away.

Hamburgers anyone?

[iJon]

i love gateways latest commercials. its some guy talking about his kid and thats it. im like no one gives a f***about your kid, has nothing to do with your computers. dell isnt doin as good in there ad campaign since they got rid of steven. steven was genious and i actually enjoyed watching him, as well as many other people i talked to. apple is just plain genious. the new yao and vern commercial is great. everyone looks at my laptop and talks about how i have yao's laptop. plus i think apple is smart on how they dont show prices on their commercials.

iJon

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by DreaminDirector
Hamburgers anyone?

tasty!

my dad works for dell; he's predicted this company's demise several times in the last 3 years or so, and the psychos keep coming back up. i used to have this cool dell shirt that had this robot "mechwarrior" looking thing stomping on a gateway cow. Dell used to get into it with them. now they just think it's a joke, lol. I wonder if this will be the idiot move that finally snaps the camel's--i mean cow's--back!

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by Shrek
Well, good. At least now Apple will have some competition. That could make things much more interesting. :)

Did you also say that when Windows was introduced? :)

[weev]

Originally posted by SwitchMonkey
I think Apple should respond quickly with an "Operation Liberate Gateway users" advertising campaign...

.

Great idea!!

Then they should do a 'shock and awe' campaign at Microsoft!

-----
weev

[inkswamp]

Rip, Burn, Respect

Is this really the slogan they're using for this? Okay, this is bizarre, even for Gagway. They've clearly taken a cue from Apple's marketing and instead of looking even remotely cool, they betray their utter cluelessness.

It's a music service. You download the music you pay for.

And what's the first word in the slogan? Rip.

Rip?

What are you ripping? You're downloading. There's no ripping happening here.

How about "Rip, Burn, Getafrigginclue?"

[Rustus Maximus]

Rip, Burn, Respect...mind control....it's always about control with these Wintel guys...

Now there's a good idea for a revival of the 1984 Apple superbowl commercial...same scene...just this time it's a shattering of the Orwellian control these guys want to impose on your Digital lifestyle...instead of a sledgehammer, it's an iPod :cool:

Rip...Crash...Burn...

Rustus

[PretendPCuser]

Gateway's days are numbered! We should have been hearing this in the press for months....wait! They don't innovate like Apple, so no one will care. How many loyal Gateway users are there out there? The "marketing" people G hires like to think that they have loyal users out there, but just don't understand that they don't, they never have and never will. There's no cult of Gateway users out there saying "What's Gateway going to do next?!" I agree with the previous poster about it being a music service, there's nothing to RIP! How long did they toil over that line?! A minute? Maybe? How about,

"Subscribe. Acquire. Enjoy!"

Edit: Just read what it is: New slogan should be:

"Subscribe. Install. Download. Wait. Rewind? Wait."

And they call this "On Demand"?

Did anyone notice the name of it? It's called Gateway Rhapsody. Hmmmm, what other company used that name.... let me think.

Basically you can download anything you want for $9.95/mo, or listen to internet radio for $4.95/mo. Oh, if you want to burn a CD, that'll be 99 centavos per track. But you can access your "library" anywhere... Supposedly they have over 20,000 albums including all your faves...my biggest question is, i guess you are just flagging songs you like on their servers, then whenever you want to listen to it, log in and re-download the song then and there? Where does the song reside? Is it streaming technology? How else could they assure that you can't burn a CD? Very interesting though. I'm sure they spent some good bank on this...

It doesn't sound like a bad service, tho. Hope Apple does it, just better and easier.
:D

[PretendPCuser]

This is what it is. This is from their installer. Yipeee!

a subscription-based streaming music-on-demand service which will enable you to stream music files, in WMA format, an unlimited number of times, faster and with higher quality than other streaming music applications. You can even create and save playlists of your favorite music and email them to your friends who are also subscribers!

Can you hear the clock ticking? Ummm, they are going to have to have a marketing blitz like none ever in history to get the word out there. It will need to be persistent, not one series of commercials on TV. Where's the print ads? Did they send mail to all two of their customers?

If you want to see what the service is, it's just www.listen.com.

Gateway didn't really develop it? I don't know.

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by inkswamp
Rip, Burn, Respect
What are you ripping? You're downloading. There's no ripping happening here.

How about "Rip, Burn, Getafrigginclue?"

Excellent point and my first good laugh of the day.

"Inappropriate imitation is the sincerest form of stupidity"

Chances are there won't be a lot of burning here either (or respect).

Pay, Dowload, Listen?

[MacFan25]

Originally posted by iJon
apple is just plain genious. the new yao and vern commercial is great. everyone looks at my laptop and talks about how i have yao's laptop. plus i think apple is smart on how they dont show prices on their commercials.
I agree that Apple makes great commercials. And I would think that if Apple does start a music service they would come up with some great ways to advertise it.

[Upright Joe]

I still don't understand what's wrong with "Rip. Mix. Burn." The music industry went nuts over it but in order to "Rip" a CD you have to "Own" said CD. Idiots.

I hate the copyright cartels.

[klasseng]

The music services choosen by Gateway seem to me to be the best and worst services:

Loser - Listen.com:
- Windows only
- Subscription for listening only
- Extra charge per track to burn
- Software doesn't manage entire music collection (can't listen to MP3's or CD's)

Winner - EMusic.com:
- Downloadable MP3 files, you can do anything with them that you do with other MP3's
- Mac compatible
- the main downside right now is that the MP3's are only 128, but they say they will be upgrading that

[synergy]

Goatway must think they can copy Apple on the Hardware and Software side since Microsoft has been more than happy and successful in ripping Apple off as well.
Problem is Goatway is a dying cow. They are trying to cling to anything and everything. Copying Apple only gives more validity to Apple. Why put up with Goatway's tired wares and crappy OS when you can get better with Apple?
Hopefully Goatway's last dying gasp is to say buy Apple because Windows is lame.

[Glial]

When Apple worries about Gateway, then "we" need to start worrying about Apple.

[yzedf]

Gateway is the leader in this particular product. They have it ready. They have announced it, formally. Apple hasn't done squat. They added functionality to something and all the fan-boys jumped all over it. It went from "wouldn't it be cool if Apple did xxx" to "Apple is going to do xxx" without any interjection of facts from Apple.

http://www.gateway.com/home/deals/offers/music/theVault.shtml

Where is the link on Apple's website? Oh, that's right... we are comparing rumors to reality.

[SwitchMonkey]

Gateway has made some great strides from their crappy years in the the mid nineties. Their supprt has improved dramatically and the products are as nicely designed as Dell and Micron and often use the same components. Comparison shop them sometime and you will see what I'm refering to.

For the record however, they are the infidels, I love my country and I love Apple. I fully support Steve Jobs. May God continue to bless Apple.

Amen.


Originally posted by Glial
When Apple worries about Gateway, then "we" need to start worrying about Apple.

[SwitchMonkey]

Made me laugh out loud as well...

How about "Rip, Burn, Getafrigginclue?" [/B]

Maybe Gateway's lame marketing droids would do better hiring the little claymation switch monkey for an advertising campaign, at least it would make us laugh.

Gotta respect Gateway for doing something about their business however, when the last time we heard anything from Micron? Tough times, tough times...

[DGFan]

What surprises me is that Gateway has a pleasant, easy to navigate site while Dell has a hideous, garish site that is a nightmare to navigate. How can this be?

I also found the Dell support tv ads funny considering the number of articles I have read lately about the terrible support Dell now has with its Indian call centers. Americans working at night on Dell support lines? LOL

[User X]

Are they still arround???

[jouster]

er......yzdef makes a point that should be taken into account.

Say what you like about Gateway (and there is plenty to say.....), they nevertheless have a solution in existence.

Apple has, as s/he points out, a number of fans like us who think they ought to have a solution, and a bunch of rumors.

I think it's a good idea, and I hope Apple implements it.

But shouldn't we wait to see if they do before we start making comparisons?

[DreaminDirector]

It's is true. yzedf does have a point. But I think that they will go about advertising all wrong and, not to mention, implement it all wrong. We know Apple's music service is coming, and when the news breaks and from rumor emerges reality, I will be equally critical of Apple's service and they way they market it.

To me, it just seems odd that Apple would put out a music service like this. Let alone Gateway!

But, yes, Gateway has put out a music service first. And boy, I can't wait to watch Gateway "Rip, crash, and burn"

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by Hawthorne
Now if only Gateway made an all-in-one LCD computer to go with it, or maybe built a lightweight laptop with a metal case or a big LCD display or something...

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Apple should be blushing right now.

They do, they show it jumping over the iMac in a commercial.

[Vector]

Ok lets list all of the times that Gateway has copied apple.

1. The FP iMac
2. The new laptop they have that is similar to the Al powerbooks
3. Integration of mp3 music service
4. ?

Can anyone add more?

[DreaminDirector]

Technically, Gateway didn't copy Apple on the Music Service.

Nonetheless, Gateway will screw it up.

[macdong]

Rip, Burn, (computer crash)... Oh Man.... (@#$%....)
Ok, let's try that again...
Rip, Bur... (computer crash)... God Damnit!!!
Rip, B... (computer crash)....
AHHHH!!!!! How am I supposed to "respect"?

[Vector]

Originally posted by DreaminDirector
Technically, Gateway didn't copy Apple on the Music Service.

Nonetheless, Gateway will screw it up.

Close enough for me. It was reported by the mainstream media that apple was working on a service, and now we hear that gateway is doing something similar. Yes, it is not as if apple released it and then gateway copied it, like happened in the other instances, but it is similar to the past incidences. Technically Gateway did not copy apple in the other two instances, so it really just depends on how narrowly you interperet what copying is.

[digitalbiker]

Gateway Store => Apple Store
Gateway Music Service =>Apple Music Service

This is a competitive business. No one really leads anybody. One company introduces a good technolgy product and others jump in to compete for the sole purpose of making money. They don't neccesarilly scout the other companies R&D and then go try to copy it.

[Vector]

Originally posted by digitalbiker
Gateway Store => Apple Store
Gateway Music Service =>Apple Music Service

This is a competitive business. No one really leads anybody. One company introduces a good technolgy product and others jump in to compete for the sole purpose of making money. They don't neccesarilly scout the other companies R&D and then go try to copy it.

I think you may be on to something there.

Although apple seems to have implemented the store idea better as they are not bleeding red ink from their stores like gateway has been.

I am not saying that gateway is over at apple spying on jopnathan ives latest designs, but they are certainly taking advantage of the successes of apples designs. The all-in-one computer that was similar to the FP imac is a copy in function rather than appearance as the new gateway laptop is. I have no problem with gateway or any other company using the ideas of another just as long as it does not violate and patent or trademark as happened in the emachines case. It is business, and there will always be emulation of successful products, gateway has just been emulating apple to a greater degree than other companies as of late. I am not saying that they should not do this, i just find it entertaining that they recently they seem to have run out of all original ideas in their final attempt to resurrect the company.

[DreaminDirector]

There seems to emerge a fine line between who copied what and when. For me, who's a mac user and maybe little fanboy-ish about it, I can't see how the ideas that Gateway comes up with are of any benefit to others.

Ok, I'll step back from that statement for a minute. What I mean is that whether it's an all-in-one, a retail store or this music service, Gateway's heart (deep deep down in thier creative department...) seems to be in the right place. However, as the idea probably travels up the chains of command, it gets torn apart, jigsawed back together only to repeat that process. Sure, Gateway looks at the trends of industry and wants to capitalize on them. But it seems they always put out product that is half-conceptualized and twice over shined on an older idea.

That's why I love Apple. They take ideas and develop them. They play, they wonder, they dream about the next big thing. Like the iPod. Or the new LCD iMac. Sure, I'm frustrated that there is no Apple PDA, but maybe Apple knows that I would never need something like that because they've done thier research.

It doesn't matter who copies who in the end. What matters most is that the product is something we all love.

Apple delivers that about 98% of the time.

[jettredmont]

Originally posted by locovaca
Gateway, otoh, has announced this service. I sincerely doubt that Gateway just planned this overnight, and for all we know Apple could be copying Gateway. Gateway has been trying to make inroads into more than just computers (remember those annoying "My way" commercials that also advertise MP3 players and Plasma televisions?) and this would seem to be a continuation along that road.


Do note, however, that Gateway is not offering any service here, just promoting established third-party services (Listen.com and EMusic.com). The thing Gateway is selling is the idea that their computers (and hardware/software packages) are somehow better at working with music than their competition, piggy-backed on an RIAA-lite advocacy message. (For the record, I don't see any substance to the claim "Music is getting complicated. Gateway makes it easy" ... offering a handful of file downloads, a pack of CD-Rs, and a CD-label applicator for $1 doesn't make dealing with MusicMatch or WMP any less complicated!)

No, this does not just pop up overnight, but comparing this promo/advocacy campaign in any way to offering a real service (as Apple is rumored to be preparing) is just plain silly.

[greenstork]

I undestand the title appears to be a big ripoff of Apple but the idea of an mp3 music service can hardly be attributed to Apple. Seriously folks, I am sure every computer company in the industry is trying to jump on this bandwagon.

In my opinion, competition=better prices, better products for consumers. Apple always makes their products that much better than the rest. I want to see them be the best at everything and they rarely let me down (with the possible exception of Motorola processors). If this means Apple will have to innovate more and make this music service that much cooler than Gateway and whoever else comes up with a service, then GREAT! This will also keep prices in check. All good as far as I am concerned.

[Future Man]

Originally posted by Shadowfax
i guess it would probably be too unintelligent to say "copycats!" but i feel like it anyways :)

copycats!


ummm.... .Mac? My how quick we are to forget...

[scem0]

I have high hopes that an apple mp3 service would be much
better than one offered by Gateway.

Probably because Apple can innovate while Gateways can only
copy..... :rolleyes: :o ;) :D :D

[Sun Baked]

At least this ad campaign has CBS's stamp of disapproval. :p

Gateway ad raises hackles at CBS (http://www.detnews.com/2003/technology/0303/28/technology-121411.htm)

Computer manufacturer Gateway Inc.'s latest promotional campaign hit an unexpected snag Thursday when the CBS television network balked at running the company's new commercial, saying it may violate the network's policy against advocacy ads.

The commercial urges consumers to buy Gateway computers and receive a bundle of free songs. It closes with the address of a Web site that shows consumers how to copy music legally and calls on them to lobby Congress against anti-piracy mandates.

CBS has been a vocal advocate in Washington for anti-piracy mandates, as has its parent company, media conglomerate Viacom International Inc. whose holdings include Paramount Pictures and Blockbuster Inc.

The mandates would apply to computers and other digital gadgets, including the ones sold by Gateway...

[eric_n_dfw]

Just surfed around at www.ripburnrespect.com/music and, besides the similarities to Apple's "Rip, Mix, Burn" marketing slogan it actually is a pretty good site. They're on the same page as Apple, I think, in that they want people to chose do the right thing rather than having the industry and/or government force us to.

[PretendPCuser]

Will i do agree that Gateway is first to market with a service like this (well, first btwn Apple and Gateway), Gateway seemed to align itself with other services whereas i think that Apple, if they do have a music service will be building the infrastructure themselves. Granted, first to market doesn't always breed success. Look at the internet. Though Amazon and eBay are two shining examples of first to market working, there's a long list of firsts to market that are long gone.

I do have respect though, Gateway is at least trying to do something.

[voicegy]

Gateway has no identity anymore, and that's the fault of who they choose to market it.

It reminds me of "Burger King". At one time, they were at the top of the heap..."Have it Your Way" "The Burger KING Character", etc. For the past several years, they don't know what they are or who they cater to, and it shows in their awful schizophrenic ad campaigns for the past number of years.

I see that happening at Gateway as well. And every "innovation" they've come up with in the past year or so has always been looked upon as the last desperate gasp of a company past its prime. Heck, we even stopped buying them (San Diego City Schools) and Dell, and we kept IBM and Apple as our only computer vendors. These people have an image problem, big time.

Rip, Mix, Burn. Apple's been doin' it for years. *sigh*

[Shrek]

Originally posted by MacsRgr8
Did you also say that when Windows was introduced? :)

I was just a baby when Windblows was introduced, well almost. ;)

[SwitchMonkey]

Yeah, well I kinda agree. It's difficult to brand these days, but the Gateway brand is much stronger than at any time previous. I actually think that all the changes it has implemented has brought it above the Micron level (which it had lagged behind) and almost up to the Dell level. Gateway is not seen as a business brand however-- Dell, IBM and HP/Compaq have that locked up.

I used to REALLY PASSIONATLEY HATE Gateway2000--- but these days the support has drastically improved, its web site is usable and the product isn't the crappiest PC you could buy.

And I know a few people with a Gateway product. I'm surpised at the current quality actually. I'm rooting for them, businesses need decent options to the hulking HPQ and Dell selling machines.

But that said, I personally prefer to build my own PC. :)

Long live Steve Jobs and may God continue to bless Apple Computer. ..


Orig. posted by voicegy
Gateway has no identity anymore, and that's the fault of who they choose to market it.

[SwitchMonkey]

Talk about a great ad campaign over the past 8 months -- The Microsoft "Agile Business" tv ads are really effective.

These ads tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of American business. This hopeful ring and business zeal is something Apple marketing seems to have lost. Hmm, Maybe because Apple has become a consumer brand like Gateway???

It would be nice for Apple to address their brand from a business perspective again. (Comarket with IBM??) It's a great platform to base a business upon. Though most people think that Apple platforms can't cut it. They are wrong of course.

When the G5 Powermacs ship later these year, I'm sure that we will see something new and cool from the Apple marketers.

"Apple-- the entrepreneurial choice." (TM) :cool:

[Hugh]

Why is it, Gateway keeps copying Apple in ads and machines? This is what, the fourth ad that is very simular to Apples.

Although I did hear that Microsoft is planning an ad campain simulor to Apple's switer ads.. I don't know how true that is....


Hugh


Originally posted by Shadowfax
i guess it would probably be too unintelligent to say "copycats!" but i feel like it anyways :)

copycats!

[Hugh]

I wouldn't say Gatway was copying Apple by the music service. I would say they are copying Apple by their slogon. :/

-Hugh

Originally posted by locovaca
While I doubt that Gateway will do things right, I would like to point out that Apple has not announced any kind of service, but was only rumored. Gateway, otoh, has announced this service. I sincerely doubt that Gateway just planned this overnight, and for all we know Apple could be copying Gateway. Gateway has been trying to make inroads into more than just computers (remember those annoying "My way" commercials that also advertise MP3 players and Plasma televisions?) and this would seem to be a continuation along that road.

I guess, since this was announced before Apple, I wouldn't just denounce Gateway as a copycat.

[MacQuest]

Originally posted by SwitchMonkey
...but the Gateway brand is much stronger than at any time previous.

:confused:

Umm...I'd hate to be the one to break this to you, but...Gateway will most likely be out of business by this time next year:

http://money.cnn.com/2003/03/17/technology/gateway.reut/index.htm

I am just relaying what I've been hearing from financial analysts as well as Gateway employees that I've met. This seems to be the consensus across the board.

They've been shutting down stores consistently since the year 2000. I'm actually surprised that there are any stores left. At least there's 76 less to worry about as of recent and as noted in the article I linked above. Although I do feel bad for the 1,900 Gateway employees who have recently been layed off...:(

On a happier note though, Apple, within the past 2 years, has opened 50+ successfull Apple Stores and is rumored to be planning international stores as well:

Tokyo
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030214115816.shtml

Netherlands
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-943509.html

Australia and Canada
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14396&highlight=apple+retail+stores+international

All this amidst horrid economic conditions. Kinda makes you think how strong Apple will be when the economy bounces back and it has better, and hopefully, new products.:D

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by Hugh
Why is it, Gateway keeps copying Apple in ads and machines? This is what, the fourth ad that is very simular to Apples.

Although I did hear that Microsoft is planning an ad campain simulor to Apple's switer ads.. I don't know how true that is....


Hugh
gateway actually has an ad in PC magazine that features an apple powerbook G4, lol.

[MacQuest]

Originally posted by Future Man
ummm.... .Mac? My how quick we are to forget...

You need to watch SJ's keynote from MacWorld NY in July of '02.

The renaming of iTools to ".mac" was an intentional public slap in the face to Microsoft's ".net" service which had been, and continues to be heralded as their cutting edge strategy, and still has not materialized.

SJ mocked MS's ".net" service by saying that what they have been planning to do, is what the Mac community has already been doing for years. Like oh so many other Apple firsts!:D

Do you think that it was a coincidence that this announcement was timed right as the 5 year agreement between Apple and MS was to come to an end last August? I think not.

Six month's later, Safari and Keynote were introduced. Rumored "Word & Excel" replacements in the pipeline.

Now read the first line of my .sig down below. :)

[MacQuest]

Originally posted by SwitchMonkey
Talk about a great ad campaign over the past 8 months -- The Microsoft "Agile Business" tv ads are really effective.

These ads tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of American business. This hopeful ring and business zeal is something Apple marketing seems to have lost. Hmm, Maybe because Apple has become a consumer brand like Gateway???

It would be nice for Apple to address their brand from a business perspective again. (Comarket with IBM??) It's a great platform to base a business upon. Though most people think that Apple platforms can't cut it. They are wrong of course.

When the G5 Powermacs ship later these year, I'm sure that we will see something new and cool from the Apple marketers.

"Apple-- the entrepreneurial choice." (TM) :cool:

Okay, I'm just copy/pasting a post of mine from earlier today in a different thread but about the subject you are addressing, Apple and the business sector:

Have you been to an Apple Store lately?

Strange the way the Pro section of the stores all have "Business' Run Better On A Mac" screensavers. The big pictorial signage also focuses on the same subject. Not to mention the readily available printed business materials, and all the new business leasing/finance options that weren't available just a few months ago.

Did I mention that there are on-site Business Specialists [yes, that's their title] who have their business cards attached to informative business flyers as well?

Also, why are there recurring presentations in the theatre areas of those stores that are dedicated to business applications like QuickBooks, MYOB, etc. Call me crazy, but I don't think that home users are the demographic who attend those presentations.

I know that Apple has only been able to implement xServe solutions in 100 of the Fortune 500 companies in less than a year, but does that give them any reason to shift some focus to the business sector?

For some reason, at this very moment, I can't get that C&C Music Factory song from the early 90's out of my head. It was called "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...";)

[Hugh]

Actually they just closed the Gateway store in my town last week. They only gave the employee's a week's notice that they where going to close their store.

-Hugh



Originally posted by MacQuest
:confused:

Umm...I'd hate to be the one to break this to you, but...Gateway will most likely be out of business by this time next year:

http://money.cnn.com/2003/03/17/technology/gateway.reut/index.htm

I am just relaying what I've been hearing from financial analysts as well as Gateway employees that I've met. This seems to be the consensus across the board.

They've been shutting down stores consistently since the year 2000. I'm actually surprised that there are any stores left. At least there's 76 less to worry about as of recent and as noted in the article I linked above. Although I do feel bad for the 1,900 Gateway employees who have recently been layed off...:(

On a happier note though, Apple, within the past 2 years, has opened 50+ successfull Apple Stores and is rumored to be planning international stores as well:

Tokyo
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030214115816.shtml

Netherlands
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-943509.html

Australia and Canada
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14396&highlight=apple+retail+stores+international

All this amidst horrid economic conditions. Kinda makes you think how strong Apple will be when the economy bounces back and it has better, and hopefully, new products.:D

[Qball]

Originally posted by Shrek
Well, good. At least now Apple will have some competition. That could make things much more interesting. :)

Gateway's strategy is so screwed. They copy Apple and then specifically target Apple in their ads. Apple only has 4-5% of the market. No offense to Apple, but Gateway should just copy Apple in every way and then advertise how much better they are than Compaq & Dell. That's their true competition.

Wake up Gateway. We're not switching back to PC.

[finknottle]

To all new Gateway customers
Rip-Burn-Repent at your leisure :)

[SwitchMonkey]

I said specifically that their brand was stronger these days.

Their business, however, has been hurting for some time. You're just breaking old news, old man.

Gateway has also admitted this week to mistating their profits by almost half a billion, which could accelerate any demise.

But back to my point, which was, you gotta respect a company that has actually improved and innovated their product, even in this punishing PC sector.

But in your case, perhaps, just perhaps, you don't respect very much outside of your Apple-cosm. Oh, well...

"Jes' kill 'em all! Let Steve Jobs sort 'em out.."


Originally posted by MacQuest
Umm...I'd hate to be the one to break this to you, but...Gateway will most likely be out of business by this time next year:

[SwitchMonkey]

The Apple Stores are more geared for the consumers, prosumers and perhaps small business owners.

My point was a wish to see Apple beef up its attention to business and enterprise sales to lend more credence to its product. It's hard enough sneaking them in the door at businesses, it would be nice if Aple did more.

Apple does have a few reps focussed on media, publishing, education and biotech sectors, but these are relatively smaller markets.

I think the Apple brand these days really zooms-in on the educated, affluent prosumers-- and seems to skip the business world.

I'm not saying that that's awful or anything, but I'd like to see more healthy business market share for Apple.

Anyways...


Originally posted by MacQuest
Have you been to an Apple Store lately?