Poll: Do you like Apple's new Colorful iPod Ads? (See Apple.com) [Archive]

Phazer80s

Sep 9, 2003, 01:44 AM

It's great to see Apple make a tasteful change from the bleak purity of their previous ads. The background colours are engaging and the variety of hues 'brands' the campaign well. Good job by the team who put the campaign together. Good job to feature it on the front page of apple.com, too!

It's nice to see the iPod stand out as "the little white object in the person's hand." For those already familiar with the iPod, it's instantly recognizable-- iconic even.

But back to their ad strategy: I'd like to see Apple push the iPod so much it becomes THE generic word for portable digital music players, and the respected standard in the industry. The latter's already happening.

Having popular musicians like 50 Cent and Obie Trice use it in their videos doesn't hurt. Of couse, the number of fans who can afford the luxury of Bentley and Prada flaunted by hip hoppers and RnB stars are definitely in the minority. Good for mindshare; I'm not convinced it results in actual sales.

If only Apple would lower the prices a bit down from the stratosphere. They could have an even greater street-level presence. Word-of-mouth is still the best advertising. More people should be able to talk about the iPod from personal experience.

Regardless, I dig the new ads. If only I could afford an iPod. *sniff*

theipodgod16

Sep 9, 2003, 02:14 AM

Apple has reached a point of influence with the ipod where it can now post billboards near freeways (2 on my commute) that shows the product, and makes no explanation about it. People know what it is, what it does for them, and they know that they want it. This is very good. This is very clear from the ads. 5 stars!

mac15

Sep 9, 2003, 03:36 AM

apple could have done anything and still people would have went wow an ipod!

iGav

Sep 9, 2003, 04:48 AM

I like them, but the aesthetic has been popular for a few years now, so to me it doesn't have that 'Apple' uniqueness of other campaigns....

MattG

Sep 9, 2003, 05:01 AM

They're 'ok'. A little too loud. I really like the way they had been advertising previously, with the product on a white background. Simple, elegant, to the point.

bobindashadows

Sep 9, 2003, 05:24 AM

I think a lot of the votes are, as usual, people going "OoOh W0W 4PpLe I5 d4 L3e7 h4X0Rs!11!!1!!!"

MrMacMan

Sep 9, 2003, 05:43 AM

Yeah I found they look nice.

Now I want my color iPod.

:p
Customizable?

Color Screen?

:p

vollspacken

Sep 9, 2003, 06:16 AM

I love them!!!

as I said before, they should do similar ones for the iBook :)

I also hope Apple makes a couple of desktop backgrounds from these ads...

vSpacken

Mr. Anderson

Sep 9, 2003, 06:21 AM

I think they work nicely - makes you wonder if a color version of the iPod is planned....

D

bbarnhart

Sep 9, 2003, 06:46 AM

I think they really get your attention and it really focuses on the product. It projects an emotional response.

If those ads were in regular color (not silhouette with loud background) they would be very dull.

Fender2112

Sep 9, 2003, 07:01 AM

I think this is Apple's best effort so far for print ads. It will be interesting to how the TV ads carry over this theme.

Jerry Spoon

Sep 9, 2003, 07:07 AM

I think they're great. Apple has been advertising their g5 a lot in Newsweek (the only non-mac magazine I read regularly) and I'd love to see this in the pages of an upcoming issue. Especially after ITMS for windows comes out. The color and simplicity and straightforwardness of the color graphic and message at the bottom (not on billboards) would cause a lot of people to stop and look.

ryme4reson

Sep 9, 2003, 08:58 AM

They changed the G5 banner at Apple HQ a few days ago to the female iPod banner. You can see this from HWY 280. I was going to work on Sun and I figured they were gonna upgrade but I thought it would happen on Tuesday rather than Mon.

nagromme

Sep 9, 2003, 09:01 AM

I wouldn't hang them on my wall, but they do stand out from the pack better than white, and are still simple and direct in Apple style. I hope other Apple products (and TV ads) follow suit.

Note that the new magazine adds are a big brand-awareness push BUT they also have details at the bottom of the page. That's important. People are afraid if Apple stuff because they don't understand it. It's a good thing if Apple can make 3-4 basic points at the bottom of a catchy visual ad. For instance, for Panther it could be statements like, Safer and easier than Windows. Mac simplicity with UNIX power. Don't fight your computer, enjoy it. Etc.

idea_hamster

Sep 9, 2003, 09:22 AM

I like the fact that the human part is black, the machine is white and the human-machine interface is white+black (grey). I suppose that leave the background to be non-black/non-white.
It's a good ad.

csimmons

Sep 9, 2003, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Phazer80s

Having popular musicians like 50 Cent and Obie Trice use it in their videos doesn't hurt. Of couse, the number of fans who can afford the luxury of Bentley and Prada flaunted by hip hoppers and RnB stars are definitely in the minority. Good for mindshare; I'm not convinced it results in actual sales.

Recording artists using iPods in their videos is nothing new. In Jennifer Lopez's video " Jenny From The Block" for example, the iPod is very visible in a few scenes.

Phazer80s

Sep 9, 2003, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by csimmons
Recording artists using iPods in their videos is nothing new. In Jennifer Lopez's video " Jenny From The Block" for example, the iPod is very visible in a few scenes.

Never knew about JLo's video. Do you know of any other videos where the iPod appears?

montecristo

Sep 9, 2003, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by Phazer80s
It's great to see Apple make a tasteful change from the bleak purity of their previous ads. The background colours are engaging and the variety of hues 'brands' the campaign well. Good job by the team who put the campaign together. Good job to feature it on the front page of apple.com, too!

I like the ads very much, and I had been wondering if this signals a new campaign for Apple. See related post. (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37679)

rueyeet

Sep 9, 2003, 11:22 AM

I like it: BuyMusic steals their ad idea, so Apple goes and makes awesome new ads.

The bright colors are a departure for Apple, but as iGAV said, they're playing off an aesthetic that's been around for a bit. But Apple's use of it is so pared down and minimalist that it does carry that extra oomph of Apple class, while connecting with a sort of MTV sensibility as well. Very nice, and perfect timing too.

Is it just me, or are the human figures not so much a solid silhouette as they are in near-total shadow? I was seeing a sort of subtle shading, especially around the fingertips and some other edges....

Bunzi2k4

Sep 9, 2003, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by Phazer80s
Never knew about JLo's video. Do you know of any other videos where the iPod appears?
I thought i saw a... o shoot... i forgot the band name! doh... its off the top of my head... o nm i'll post when i remember the name again

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by vollspacken
I love them!!!

as I said before, they should do similar ones for the iBook :)

I also hope Apple makes a couple of desktop backgrounds from these ads...

vSpacken
Someone at Spymac already did. Not a bad job either.
http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/502/3758ibookad-med.gif

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 12:29 PM

And as for desktop backgrounds...

Three ads in one... (http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/500/14306ipodGroovin2.jpg)

Just purple... (http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/554/3361Purple.jpg)

Just yellow... (http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/554/3361Yellow.jpg)

Just green... (http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/554/3361Green.jpg)

And just blue. (http://www.spymac.com/gallery/data/554/3361Blue.jpg)

daddy-mojo

Sep 9, 2003, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Phazer80s
Never knew about JLo's video. Do you know of any other videos where the iPod appears?

Mary J. Blige's video that came out a month or so ago (forgot the name, same song they're using for her target ad). She's sitting in the window while its raining, listening to an iPod.

bigjohn

Sep 9, 2003, 01:11 PM

I was in an Apple Store recently (Fashion Valley, San Diego) and on their display is an ipod in a black shell with red backlit buttons. I ask the salesperson, "When does the black iPod come out?" He answers, "There is no black iPod." I say, "But it's right there on the banner, plain as anything." He answers, "There is no black iPod."

Steve has trained these people into being mindless automotons! I think there IS a black iPod coming and this was giving me the standard line.

I asked another salesperson, same response, "There is no black iPod."

(!)

Lancetx

Sep 9, 2003, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by bigjohn
I was in an Apple Store recently (Fashion Valley, San Diego) and on their display is an ipod in a black shell with red backlit buttons. I ask the salesperson, "When does the black iPod come out?" He answers, "There is no black iPod." I say, "But it's right there on the banner, plain as anything." He answers, "There is no black iPod."

Steve has trained these people into being mindless automotons! I think there IS a black iPod coming and this was giving me the standard line.

I asked another salesperson, same response, "There is no black iPod."
(!)

Well they are right, there is no black iPod. :D This is so funny to me because during the launch party I was at back in April the same thing happened. There were several confused customers asking about the "black iPods" and wanting to know where they were. The poster ad (which has been around for 5 months now) was simply done to better show off what the iPod looks like in the dark with the backlight and buttons illuminated. It's honestly not a black iPod trust me...it's just an iPod in the dark is all. :p

MacFan25

Sep 9, 2003, 02:30 PM

I really like them. They definitley get your attention with the bright colors.

montecristo

Sep 9, 2003, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Lancetx
Well they are right, there is no black iPod. :D This is so funny to me because during the launch party I was at back in April the same thing happened. There were several confused customers asking about the "black iPods" and wanting to know where they were. The poster ad (which has been around for 5 months now) was simply done to better show off what the iPod looks like in the dark with the backlight and buttons illuminated. It's honestly not a black iPod trust me...it's just an iPod in the dark is all. :p

Well, there SHOULD be a black iPod.

Xero

Sep 9, 2003, 03:01 PM

man id dig those background images if the maker didnt chop all the single color ones at the waist... time to go make my own. :D

Wonder Boy

Sep 9, 2003, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by Phazer80s
Never knew about JLo's video. Do you know of any other videos where the iPod appears?

one is flashed clipped on to the pocket of a skateboarder in a capri sun or clothing store'sa ad. i cant remember.

waynedickson

Sep 9, 2003, 05:39 PM

The new ads remind me of the intros to the Sean Connery era James Bond films. What goes around, comes around, I guess.

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 06:51 PM

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 09:15 PM

Someone complained about how the backgrounds that someone made didn't have the waist of the people in the ads, so I went ahead and made a 17" (1280x1024), 20" (1680x1050), and 23" (1920x1200) version of the Purple, Green, and Pink ads. I'll make the other colors later, but those three are the only ones showing up on the main page right now. Click here. (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod)

cb911

Sep 9, 2003, 09:22 PM

LimeLite, thanks for the desktops! :D but it would be good if the people were also a little bit bigger, not so squashed up in the corner, but you're probably getting heaps of requests now. :p

anyway, i love the new iPod ads. very original and 'design-ish'. now we can all sit back and see the imitators copy Apple's style.:p :rolleyes:

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by cb911
LimeLite, thanks for the desktops! :D but it would be good if the people were also a little bit bigger, not so squashed up in the corner, but you're probably getting heaps of requests now. :p

anyway, i love the new iPod ads. very original and 'design-ish'. now we can all sit back and see the imitators copy Apple's style.:p :rolleyes:
First off, it can be done, but I didn't want to go through the trouble of making them bigger, because this is the actual size that they are on the main apple page. resizing it bigger would make it lose a little quality. Second, it's kind of good in the corner there I think, because most people have all of their files and stuff on the right side of the screen. If anyone makes any other versions, send them to me and I'l gladly host them.

P.S. Keep in mind that the higher the resolution of the screen, the smaller they are. On my 17 inch, it's a pretty good size. I'll let you all know if I resize them bigger.

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 09:53 PM

Made a couple of more.

Still working on the 20" and 23" versions, but here's the 17" for now:

17" iPod Ad Desktop Page (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod17)

LimeLite

Sep 9, 2003, 10:23 PM

Ok, got the 20" and 23" versions up. Here you go:

20" iPod Ad Desktop Page (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod20)

23" iPod Ad Desktop Page (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod23)

Just a small note: I think out of all of the 6 combinations, pink-green-purple is my favorite.

Snowy_River

Sep 10, 2003, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by bobindashadows
"OoOh W0W 4PpLe I5 d4 L3e7 h4X0Rs!11!!1!!!"

What is this supposed to say?

I got "Oooh WOW Apple is da ..."

but after that I can't decifer it. Help?

Bunzi2k4

Sep 10, 2003, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by bigjohn
I was in an Apple Store recently (Fashion Valley, San Diego) and on their display is an ipod in a black shell with red backlit buttons. I ask the salesperson, "When does the black iPod come out?" He answers, "There is no black iPod." I say, "But it's right there on the banner, plain as anything." He answers, "There is no black iPod."

Steve has trained these people into being mindless automotons! I think there IS a black iPod coming and this was giving me the standard line.

I asked another salesperson, same response, "There is no black iPod."

(!)

Yea i wanted the black ipod, did a little research there wasn't a black ipod, baught one anyway :-P well i'm thinking about putting black cloth on the ipod to make it look black... wonder how that would look? well at least i wouldn't have to polish the backside... rite?

Bunzi2k4

Sep 10, 2003, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by Snowy_River
What is this supposed to say?

I got "Oooh WOW Apple is da ..."

but after that I can't decifer it. Help?

its oooh wow apple is da lee? haxors!!!!! ... i think? well anyways its leet (l33t) its basically a geek language... nothing important

Bunzi2k4

Sep 10, 2003, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by LimeLite
Ok, got the 20" and 23" versions up. Here you go:

20" iPod Ad Desktop Page (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod20)

23" iPod Ad Desktop Page (http://www.formthefuture.com/ipod23)

Just a small note: I think out of all of the 6 combinations, pink-green-purple is my favorite.
they remind me of popsicles.... you know the ones with the 3-5 colors on the popsicle?

Snowy_River

Sep 10, 2003, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by LimeLite
Just a small note: I think out of all of the 6 combinations, pink-green-purple is my favorite.

I'm disappointed that only pink green and purple show up on the front page. I rather like the orange and teal silhouettes on the iPod page, but they're cut off even higher up there than the others are on the front page...

LimeLite

Sep 10, 2003, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by Snowy_River
I'm disappointed that only pink green and purple show up on the front page. I rather like the orange and teal silhouettes on the iPod page, but they're cut off even higher up there than the others are on the front page...
Yeah, I agree. I'm assuming that the other colors will be on the front page eventually. I'll make new desktop backgrounds at that time, if it happens.

scem0

Sep 10, 2003, 08:03 AM

No I can't say I do. I think they aren't original or cool. And they don't mix with everything else made by apple.

scem0

LimeLite

Sep 10, 2003, 02:49 PM

Alright, one more quick update. I know some of you were wanting other colors, and I was personally looking for a nice blue one, so I just converted the purple one to blue, I think it looks pretty nice.

Blue Version of iPod Ad (http://www.formthefuture.com/blueipod)

wdlove

Sep 10, 2003, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by LimeLite
Alright, one more quick update. I know some of you were wanting other colors, and I was personally looking for a nice blue one, so I just converted the purple one to blue, I think it looks pretty nice.

Blue Version of iPod Ad (http://www.formthefuture.com/blueipod)

That is just like the one that I see when I visit apple.com. I happen to think that it is cool looking! :cool:

Xero

Sep 11, 2003, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by LimeLite
Alright, one more quick update. I know some of you were wanting other colors, and I was personally looking for a nice blue one, so I just converted the purple one to blue, I think it looks pretty nice.

Blue Version of iPod Ad (http://www.formthefuture.com/blueipod)

Aye!! thats like pure "blue screen of death" blue! heh

i ended up just making a few of my own, 15" PB size. its so easy to edit these and make your own sizes, not much point in DLing a ton of them. :)

LimeLite

Sep 11, 2003, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by Xero
Aye!! thats like pure "blue screen of death" blue! heh

i ended up just making a few of my own, 15" PB size. its so easy to edit these and make your own sizes, not much point in DLing a ton of them. :)

Just using my free time to save some people some trouble. :)

jrober

Sep 11, 2003, 05:42 AM

I'm not so keen on having different colours. I regularly go by Train between London and Paris while listening to my iPod. There is a recognition between those of us with the white cable and earphones, a sort of we've got more music and its way cooler than any of your discmans etc.

Nice ads but keep them different so we can know our fellow iPod owners.

wdlove

Sep 11, 2003, 07:42 PM

I definitely don't like the green background that they have with the iPod today when I visited apple.com! The blue, red, and yellow is OK!

Snowy_River

Sep 12, 2003, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by jrober
I'm not so keen on having different colours. I regularly go by Train between London and Paris while listening to my iPod. There is a recognition between those of us with the white cable and earphones, a sort of we've got more music and its way cooler than any of your discmans etc.

Nice ads but keep them different so we can know our fellow iPod owners.

Hmm... Then I guess you wouldn't recognize me. I have a higher quality pair of earphones that I bought. They're black. So I don't have the white cable...

Computer_Phreak

Sep 13, 2003, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by Wonder Boy
one is flashed clipped on to the pocket of a skateboarder in a capri sun or clothing store'sa ad. i cant remember.

That would be Target's ad. :cool:

Freg3000

Sep 14, 2003, 11:06 AM

I wish Apple would do a TV commercial with the 5 colored ads.....with no sound!

That always gets my attention. Think about it, when commercials come on, people tune out. In my situation, the TV and computer in the same room are always both on. When the is suddenly no sound I turn around instantly. "Did the TV break? What's wrong?"

Well, imagine Apple doing that, and when you turn around you see a bright pink or yellow iPod ad. That would be incredibly cool.