Angela Ahrendts Promises Details on Apple's 'Back to School' Situation Next Week

[MacRumors]

As we noted earlier this week, Apple has yet to launch its annual "Back to School" promotion that in recent years has launched in early July and offered educational customers free $50-$100 Apple Store or iTunes/App Store gift cards with the purchase of a Mac or iOS device, in addition to the usual educational discount available on some products.

With the usual timeframe having come and gone and no signs of an imminent launch for the promotion, many have speculated Apple has decided to end the long-running program.

According to Consomac.fr [Google Translation], however, Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts in her latest video message to store employees this week revealed that she will "share a little bit more insight" on the Back to School situation with them in next week's video.

I'm sure many of you are thinking also 'but is there anything else for Back to School'? Well, I need you to wait until next week's video and I'll share a little bit more insight with you then.

Ahrendts' comment does not confirm that the usual Back to School promotion will be launching in the near future, but the report notes her "enthusiastic tone" suggests the company will be offering something for customers.

Ahrendts is in Tokyo this week and recorded her weekly message from there, but the reason for her trip is unknown.

Article Link: Angela Ahrendts Promises Details on Apple's 'Back to School' Situation Next Week

 

[Glassed Silver]

Well, at least she's telling us that some form of information is coming.
That's a lot more already than what is typical of Apple, so kudos to her in that regard.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[Quu]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

 

[coltman75]

I suspect that the promotion might be 12 months of Apple Music or something like that. It's probably just taking some extra time to get the deals in place with the record companies.

 

[HenryDJP]

Well, at least she's telling us that some form of information is coming.
That's a lot more already than what is typical of Apple, so kudos to her in that regard.

Glassed Silver:mac

She's not telling "us" anything. The article states that she is relaying a little bit more information with THEM (the employees) on the situation. As usual when someone somehow gets any amount of info it will be translated to the usual rumor here.

 

[HenryDJP]

I suspect that the promotion might be 12 months of Apple Music or something like that. It's probably just taking some extra time to get the deals in place with the record companies.

I think that would actually be a great idea, especially if it's the family plan.

 

[WelshDog]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

I don't think any of those things could be characterized as mistakes.
And most of the things you listed don't sound like decisions she would have made. She doesn't work in a vacuum. Any big change she plans to make has to be run by Tim and the gang.

 

[geenosr]

At least we are hearing something from Apple, which is better than the silence that we have heard until now. I guess I will take some of the credit because yesterday I called Apple customer service and let them know both as a stockholder and an educator that I was unhappy about the situation with no mention of their annual back-to-school special for this year. [sarcasm] The customer service representative was quite kind and very nice and insured me that my comments would be passed on to her superiors. And today a little tidbit of information has been leaked from the Apple Corporate head of retail. You're welcome! [again more sarcasm]

Truth be told, I am waiting to see what the promotion will be before I purchase a MacBook Air for my work at school and at home. Apple please surprise us with something really wonderful......and please not Apple Music.

 

[Onimusha370]

She sends weekly videos to the apple store employees?
If I was working at the store I'd find that really odd/patronising.
Doesn't seem very 'Apple like'

 

[businezguy]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

This.

It seems to me like this new retail VP has butter fingers. Hopefully she can get it together. Apple has lately been working to make their own bad PR what with the artist controversy etc.

 

[AreanFSL]

I suspect that the promotion might be 12 months of Apple Music or something like that. It's probably just taking some extra time to get the deals in place with the record companies.

That would be one sad promotion.

 

[dagamer34]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

1) Honestly, anyone who's used 3rd party apps on the Watch knows that they aren't worth using because of the lag communicating the extension with the Watch itself. Fortunately, that's mostly fixed with watchOS 2 coming in the Fall.
2) MacBook launch - no longer an issue, no one will care or remember it
3) Lines - the lines were cute in the beginning, but I think they've become unruly and honestly make no sense in a world where pre-ordering items has been possible (i.e. forever). Sure, fans can camp outside if they want, but since the average person needs to work to make a living during the day, pre-orders should and *need* to be the preferred way to buy new Apple products.

 

[chumpy34]

This.

It seems to me like this new retail VP has butter fingers. Hopefully she can get it together. Apple has lately been working to make their own bad PR what with the artist controversy etc.

I agree with both of you. Lines at an Apple store are iconic and gets the fan base and media excited, the roll-out to the Apple Watch was not done well. And if they now cut the School promotions, just another dumb move. No idea if this is all her fault or decisions but not very smart moves in my opinion.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

So doing things in any way other than the way it's always been done is a mistake?

 

[AngerDanger]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

3) Lines - the lines were cute in the beginning, but I think they've become unruly and honestly make no sense in a world where pre-ordering items has been possible (i.e. forever). Sure, fans can camp outside if they want, but since the average person needs to work to make a living during the day, pre-orders should and *need* to be the preferred way to buy new Apple products.

I have to agree with @dagamer34; anything that contributes to reducing the likeness between Apple users and mindless drones is welcomed. Online pre-orders ensure that everybody has an efficient purchasing experience regardless of devotion to the company.

 

[DanielSw]

She sends weekly videos to the apple store employees?
If I was working at the store I'd find that really odd/patronising.
Doesn't seem very 'Apple like'

I think your comments are really odd. How else can she stay in touch with her thousands of employees? Patronizing? No way.

 

[DanielSw]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

No it doesn't. Stop trying to spread malicious gossip.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

And the announcement will be that Apple is getting away from such 'demand driven ploys', and will instead just randomly drop prices on something for some time in the future, and we just need to stay alert...

Or something like that...

 

[coltman75]

That would be one sad promotion.

Why is that? That's a $120 value. That means it's worth more than the $100 Apple Store gift cards of the past.

 

[Zxxv]

As we noted earlier this week, Apple has yet to launch its annual "Back to School" promotion that in recent years has launched in early July and offered educational customers free $50-$100 Apple Store or iTunes/App Store gift cards with the purchase of a Mac or iOS device, in addition to the usual educational discount available on some products.

With the usual timeframe having come and gone and no signs of an imminent launch for the promotion, many have speculated Apple has decided to end the long-running program.

According to Consomac.fr [Google Translation], however, Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts in her latest video message to store employees this week revealed that she will "share a little bit more insight" on the Back to School situation with them in next week's video.Ahrendts' comment does not confirm that the usual Back to School promotion will be launching in the near future, but the report notes her "enthusiastic tone" suggests the company will be offering something for customers.

Ahrendts is in Tokyo this week and recorded her weekly message from there, but the reason for her trip is unknown.

Article Link: Angela Ahrendts Promises Details on Apple's 'Back to School' Situation Next Week

rewrite, expand to read and remember this is humour (an attempt at) Remember that?

As we noted earlier this week, Apple has yet to launch its annual "Back to School" promotion that in recent years has launched in early July and offered educational customers free $50-$100 Apple Store or iTunes/App Store gift cards with the purchase of a Mac or iOS device; in addition to the usual educational discount available on some products.

With the usual timeframe having come and gone and no signs of an imminent launch for the promotion, many have said this would never have happened under Steve Jobs.

According to Consomac.fr [Google Translation], however, Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts in her latest video message to store employees this week revealed little to f*** all apart from saying she will "share a little bit more insight" on the Back to School situation with them in next week's video once she is back from Tokyo.

Many believe this last minute video is a result of Tim Cook phoning Angela last night asking "where the **** is the back to school project?"

According to those close to Tim her excuse was "oh **** my apple watch is not working fully, isn't it June 9th? **** watch os, **** iOS 8" Anglela was heard screaming.

Tim knowing the problems of late with iOS excused her but not before putting her on final warning saying "I will give your job to Johnny, fix this now!!!"

The reason for her trip many speculate she is having her nails done, getting a new hair do and having sushi in her favourite restaurant all under the cover of actually doing some f****ing work.

Store staff in particular are pissed as Adherts video message offered no way for store employees to deal with ancious parents and grandparents who want to buy new equipment for their little darlings before they leave for big School. Ahrendts behaviour in this matter seems to show she lives in a different world far removed from the one we all inhabit.

Talking of living in a different world. Johnny Ive you've lived in England, you have parents here right? how do you respond when they tell you the new iPhone dock is £35, comes without a cable or plug. £35 Johnny, use some of your sway son, flex some influence as this is a piss taking rip off.


Article Link: Angela Ahrendts Promises Details on Apple's 'Back to School' Situation Next Week

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I think your comments are really odd. How else can she stay in touch with her thousands of employees? Patronizing? No way.

When I worked at Circuit City (RIP), they did that, with sales emails weekly. They never really tried to compete with Best Buy, and I let their VP of sales have it once. It was when Best Buy was doing their 'bundles', and would 'bundle anything' just to give the rubes the idea that they were saving money, which they weren't. But the rubes didn't know that.

But anyway.

Corporate communication is vital to keep people informed, on track, and engaged. I remember reading about IBM. They turned such things into near evangelical retreats. You were company, through and through. They sang the company song, they gave away corporate swag, it was all about being a 'Good German', and selling selling selling... Obviously an extreme, but again, corporate communication is vital. In any form...

 

[garylapointe]

Feels like she's making a lot of mistakes since taking over. The watch online only at launch, macbook online only at launch, no lines outside stores that many fans enjoy for new products, delayed back to school program etc

To me, the lines were more fun when you knew they'd actually have enough product in stock for you.

Gary

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

To me, the lines were more fun when you knew they'd actually have enough product in stock for you.

Gary

I went for the t-shirts...

 

[Simplicated]

Why is that? That's a $120 value. That means it's worth more than the $100 Apple Store gift cards of the past.

Because with the gift card they used to give you, you could purchase anything to your heart's content. A $120 Apple Music subscription is great, but not everybody wants to be forced to be subscribed to it.

 

[ACG12]

That would be one sad promotion.

Saving $120 is a sad promotion? I would gladly take it if they offer it with a purchase of the new Ipod Touch 6th gen. My 3 month for $1 Spotify deal ends on the 31st of this month.