Steve Jobs Personally Picks Songs for Apple iPod Touch Ads

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/10/steve-jobs-personally-picks-songs-for-apple-ipod-touch-ads/)

A SongFacts interview (http://www.songfacts.com/int/2008/12/asteroids-galaxy-tour.html) with The Asteroids Galaxy Tour who had their song Around The Bend featured in a recent iPod Touch ad. In asking how they were chosen, the band revealed that Steve Jobs personally made the decision. The article has since been edited but AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/12/08/steve_jobs_key_to_selecting_tunes_for_apple_ads.html) has the original quote:While listening to some of the songs suggested by Synch, the Apple co-founder reportedly slammed on the brakes during a sample of "Around The Bend," declaring, "This is it, this is the new track for the iPod Touch."

"Apparently he just loved that track, but we never saw it as one of our singles," Iversen said. "We have some other songs that we thought would be great singles, and that would work cool on for the radio, but he really loved that song."The song was used in this iPod Touch "funnest iPod ever" ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6WX7XGcRhk):



Article Link: Steve Jobs Personally Picks Songs for Apple iPod Touch Ads (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/10/steve-jobs-personally-picks-songs-for-apple-ipod-touch-ads/)

[MacBoobsPro]

This is all about brand identity. Steve Jobs knows what he want's, he is part of the brand himself. He has a vision in his head of how he want's things. I would of done the same thing if something fitted perfectly with what I was envisioning. You can't say that his input is not working.

[DanielJvdBerg]

I think the mix for the ad is way better than the actual song.

[iSimx]

great song for a great product :apple: well done steve lol

[maxshanly]

Steve Jobs is well known to have an extremely good taste in music, I wish I could see what is on his iPod.

[talkingfuture]

Steve Jobs is well known to have an extremely good taste in music, I wish I could see what is on his iPod.

He has picked some amazing songs over the years. The Caesars on the Shuffle add was his best work.

[PCMacUser]

All this means is that someone put a few songs on his desk and he went - 'okay, that one'. Someone else is doing all the legwork.

People must think he sits in his office all day with nothing better to do.

[fendol]

Aha, exactly.

It's not to say that he didn't picked (maybe he didn't), a guy with his responsabilities and daily schedules to meet has more in his mind than pick a song carefully, unless it was picked by someone else, or he just chose one good song from a limited, already thought and chosen set of great songs, by someone else ;):apple:http://seoagora.com/img/589/d08l1104oulu/smiley2.gifhttp://seoagora.com/img/308/s08e1024rvou/champagne.gif
http://seoagora.com/img/1261/v08t1201sxfb/cheers.gif

[Dwight Schrute]

What does that mean... songs suggested by Synch? What's Synch?

Never mind. I followed the links...

[sushi]

All this means is that someone put a few songs on his desk and he went - 'okay, that one'. Someone else is doing all the legwork.
Agree.

I am sure he has at least a couple of very close assistants who do a lot of prep work for him based upon their knowledge of his dislikes and likes.

Of course there are the exceptions when he sees, hears, experiences, etc. something that he wants to incorporate into an Apple product.

Either way, it's all based upon his vision which seems to be working.

[Winni]

Steve Jobs is well known to have an extremely good taste in music, I wish I could see what is on his iPod.

Well, you cannot discuss taste. For all I know, this guy does not listen to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and that makes his iPod completely uninteresting to me. I'm sure you also won't find Richard Wagner on it either, and probably not even Ennio Morricone. So much for his taste - it's incompatible with me.

And talking about it, I'd rather attend the next Microsoft product launch. At least these guys always have some serious rock music playing and they even had Slash on stage in the past. That's more like it. ;-)

[levitynyc]

I really like The Fratelli's Flathead that was on an iPod commercial a few years back

[Aldo Ferrel]

Well, you cannot discuss taste. For all I know, this guy does not listen to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and that makes his iPod completely uninteresting to me. I'm sure you also won't find Richard Wagner on it either, and probably not even Ennio Morricone. So much for his taste - it's incompatible with me.

And talking about it, I'd rather attend the next Microsoft product launch. At least these guys always have some serious rock music playing and they even had Slash on stage in the past. That's more like it. ;-)

do you really call that Serious Rock?
call me when they put Tool on stage..
you can choose to put whatever you want in your ipod like Ballmers Developers song.

[shadowfax]

And talking about it, I'd rather attend the next Microsoft product launch. At least these guys always have some serious rock music playing and they even had Slash on stage in the past. That's more like it. ;-)

Why? Even if you don't like the music at Apple launches, at least the products are worth having. What would it be like to be let down by the ZunePhone? But at least the music is cool!

[OddyOh]

All this means is that someone put a few songs on his desk and he went - 'okay, that one'. Someone else is doing all the legwork.

People must think he sits in his office all day with nothing better to do.

Wouldn't it all just come from his "Genius" sidebar? :D

[ZiggyPastorius]

do you really call that Serious Rock?
call me when they put Tool on stage..
you can choose to put whatever you want in your ipod like Ballmers Developers song.

I have the Ballmer Developers song on my iPod, thank you very much. :p

[lofight]

I knew this already.. It's very logic that he does, he has found some very good unknown songs!

[mikeinternet]

Good taste.

[tk421]

I think the title should be "Steve Jobs Personally Approves Songs for Apple iPod Touch Ads." :D

Like others have said, I'm sure other people do the initial search and present him with options. Is there any indication otherwise?

[socamx]

I think the mix for the ad is way better than the actual song.

Definitely. I listened to the whole song and just found it to be 'meh'. I find that frequently happens with commercials that use songs (even Apple's), I always get disappointed by the full versions.

I wonder if Steve has a thought process where he can mix the song in his head so it sounds best to him like this iPod Touch commercial, or if he actually just likes the entire song.

[arkitect]

I think the title should be "Steve Jobs Personally Approves Songs for Apple iPod Touch Ads." :D

Agreed.

I mean where would he find the time what with him personally designing and then carving Macs out of blocks of aluminium with his own bare hands, before packing and shipping them, if the fanboys are to be believed?
:rolleyes:

[TheSlush]

Boo that SongFacts editted the interview! I suppose Apple got to them. It's not like Steve's level of direct control over things is some trade secret. I presume Apple just wanted to expunge any candid details that convey anything other than a smooth, joyous process with their bands.

[TheSlush]

I mean where would he find the time what with him personally designing and then carving Macs out of blocks of aluminium with his own bare hands, before packing and shipping them, if the fanboys are to be believed?
:rolleyes:

Bare hands?? Ridiculous.

He uses a nail file.

[TheSlush]

Steve Jobs is well known to have an extremely good taste in music, I wish I could see what is on his iPod.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Bob Dylan's on there somewhere.

[jellomizer]

All this means is that someone put a few songs on his desk and he went - 'okay, that one'. Someone else is doing all the legwork.

People must think he sits in his office all day with nothing better to do.

He can also say he doesn't like any of them. Or offer a better choice, if he has one already in his head.

[lofight]

I think the mix for the ad is way better than the actual song.

Yes, but that's what's needed for an ad.

[twoodcc]

i think it's great that steve picks the songs himself. i think he does a great job. i like the songs

[claimed4all]

I like them so much I have taken to purchasing most of them! Have my own Apple Commercial Song Playlist. There is a nice Wiki out there with all of the Ipod commercial music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_advertising

[MarkMS]

I really do enjoy the music in all the Apple iPod ads. Like others have said, I wish I could see what is on Mr. Jobs' iPod.

[patioman]

do you really call that Serious Rock?
call me when they put Tool on stage..
you can choose to put whatever you want in your ipod like Ballmers Developers song.

Yeah, a dreary old Tool song would sell TONS of whatever Microsoft's got. "Hooker with a Penis" for your Zune.

[QuarterSwede]

Yeah, a dreary old Tool song would sell TONS of whatever Microsoft's got. "Hooker with a Penis" for your Zune.
Nice use of sarcasm.

[KindredMAC]

Funny how the marketing machine then brings in lots 'o cash then for an iPod single for the first month that a new commercial is out.

I used to get bit by that bug until the first touch commercial and I was disappointed with the whole version of the song. From that point on I haven't bought a single iPod Commercial song.

[queshy]

I love all of the Apple commercial songs...incredible choices. Made me discover tons of new music.

[DMann]

you can choose to put whatever you want in your ipod like Ballmers Developers song.

"Get on your feet........." ...gotta love it...... The "Developer Remix" is actually pretty amazing, and somewhat makes Ballmer seem slightly rhythmic and coordinated, albeit for a fleeting moment.

[PCMacUser]

I wish I could see what is on Mr. Jobs' iPod

I don't think Jobs would be likely to own an iPod. Probably just an iPhone. He probably gave away his old iPods. (You've gotta start thinking like a multi-billionaire at this point).

Imagine how a fanboy would feel if Jobs gave him his old iPod? There'd be tears, speaking in tongues and a shrine would be established to permanently house it.

How would YOU feel?

Sell it? Keep it?

[GSMiller]

I think the mix for the ad is way better than the actual song.

Yeah, when I heard the song on the commercial I was like "Wow! That's an awesome song!" so I downloaded it and it's not at all good.

[JoeDRC]

he's got a good taste in music

as for this whole serious rock music debate, i'm not much of a listener of rock music anymore.
But why does music have to be serious? Can't it just be fun?

[Saladinos]

Bare hands?? Ridiculous.

He uses a nail file.

Steve Job's glasses aren't there to correct his vision, they're to enhance to world to match his 40:40 vision.

[Xavier]

I wonder how many other songs Jobs has picked.

So far, if he has been picking each song, I have liked it. He has good taste in music

[Stuart in Oz]

What does that mean... songs suggested by Synch? What's Synch? For those who didn't....

"Sync Music offers synchronisation licensing solutions to the music and media industries: from new and emerging to established commercial artists, to production music and bespoke music of all genres.

Sync Music provides representation of labels, composers, artists and bands to a cross section of the media industry, with exploitation including television, advertising, film, corporate and online usage.

Sync Music also offers expertise in broader consultancy issues including wider music searches, clearances and musicology."

http://www.4rfv.co.uk/brieflisting.asp?scategory=912&company=37894


Getting approximately the right song for a marketing campaign is science. Getting exactly the right song is art. It's interesting to see that SJ has that firm a hold on the public face of Apple.

He ain't no fool.

[alphaod]

So this why he doesn't use plate; just in case he slams the brakes and causes a traffic collision, no one will know.

[Angsty]

...
call me when they put Tool on stage..


Mmmmm.... an you imagine the Tool light show effects on screen as you play their music on your iPod??:p

DROOL!!!

[esaleris]

As a shareholder of the company, I'm worried about behavior such as this. It indicates to me an unwillingness by Jobs to let the bright minds in your company take charge of what they are accountable for.

For those that don't know, a 30-spot on a national TV advertisement campaign requires massive efforts from a set of marketing agencies, starting from market research firm, creative (ideation), production (could be same as creative), media placement (media planning & buying) and trafficking (ensuring tapes/digital sent to stations).

There are people and agencies who are hired and paid millions to select the best creative elements to match the brand / product profile. The market researchers who define the target audience and target demos. The brand manager that decides how to create a spot to meet the targets and objectives of the marketing campaign. The creative agencies that implement this vision into their creative. The list goes on.

The whole coming over-the-top thing is a huge source of lost productivity. It's bad enough when it's coming from an indecisive brand manager. It's whole new level with it's your CMO, and when it's your CEO, you've got problems.

[PCMacUser]

The whole coming over-the-top thing is a huge source of lost productivity. It's bad enough when it's coming from an indecisive brand manager. It's whole new level with it's your CMO, and when it's your CEO, you've got problems.

I totally agree, you have a very valid point. Hopefully the story has been somewhat exaggerated.

[lucidmedia]

As a shareholder of the company, I'm worried about behavior such as this. It indicates to me an unwillingness by Jobs to let the bright minds in your company take charge of what they are accountable for.

err... How long have you been a shareholder? Jobs is *famous* for this and has always been this way. Ask any developer who has been held hostage to his whims...

[Quillz]

Steve Jobs is well known to have an extremely good taste in music, I wish I could see what is on his iPod.
And yet if the songs he picked didn't fit the ads, then he'd be known to have an extremely poor taste in music. Amazing how Steve can never be in the wrong.

I do like the iPod touch ads, though, overall. It's good that they are emphasizing that it can do more than just music. They aren't just saying, "hey, we're better than that MP3 player over there." They're actually demonstrating why.

[Burnsey]

Well, you cannot discuss taste. For all I know, this guy does not listen to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and that makes his iPod completely uninteresting to me. I'm sure you also won't find Richard Wagner on it either, and probably not even Ennio Morricone. So much for his taste - it's incompatible with me.

And talking about it, I'd rather attend the next Microsoft product launch. At least these guys always have some serious rock music playing and they even had Slash on stage in the past. That's more like it. ;-)

Of course you can discuss taste, and if you like that stuff than you're the one who lacks it :D

[RTiii320]

Actually quit interesting to know. Well regardless, If your song ends up on a commercial I assume you will earn a nice paycheck from Apple.

Especially after the whole Eminem commercial fiasco.

[calzon65]

I think Steve Jobs has done a great job with Apple since he returned, but stories like these will probably hurt Apple in the long run. The reason is that many so called "Wall Street" investors look at Steve's personal involvement with many of the day-to-day details both positively and negatively. On the positive, Steve's track record is pretty good, but that part that scares Wall Street is that if something happened to Steve, would the company suffer. We can debate the point all day long if Apple would or would not suffer, but this is Wall Street's concern and you can see the concern every time a story comes out that Steve Jobs might be sick.