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Apple iPod Marketshare and Future Ads?
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Educating the Masses
More often than not, at work I encounter the following type of situation:
Them: "My PC got hit with a virus last night and I spent an hour on the phone with Dell getting my system restored... what do you (me) do when that happens?"
Me: "Honestly? It never happens to me." (I'm a sysadmin where I manage a nearly 99% Windows-based network but I don't do a hard sell on people because I don't like to get involved in evangelizing)
Them: "Oh really? What are you doing to protect yourself and how do you avoid trouble like that?"
Me: "Uhm, I use a Mac..."
Them: "Oh really? Can you do everything you need on a Mac?"
So yeah, I think it's about the right time that Apple starts promoting on the lowest common denominator in advertising on what they CAN do...
More often than not, at work I encounter the following type of situation:
Them: "My PC got hit with a virus last night and I spent an hour on the phone with Dell getting my system restored... what do you (me) do when that happens?"
Me: "Honestly? It never happens to me." (I'm a sysadmin where I manage a nearly 99% Windows-based network but I don't do a hard sell on people because I don't like to get involved in evangelizing)
Them: "Oh really? What are you doing to protect yourself and how do you avoid trouble like that?"
Me: "Uhm, I use a Mac..."
Them: "Oh really? Can you do everything you need on a Mac?"
So yeah, I think it's about the right time that Apple starts promoting on the lowest common denominator in advertising on what they CAN do...
FoxyKaye
macrumors 68000
See, this I've never understood. Trying to build a stable and reliable Windows-based network is like entering the seventh circle of hell. I think M$ spends a lot of time and money convincing people that their way is the only way as part of those certification courses.iMetalG5 said:
Plus, networking aside, there's never been a stable version of Apache that can run on a Windows machine (at least there wasn't the last time I looked in to it), and using a Windows machine as a mail server is just asking for trouble. These features come at no cost to OS X users, and benefit from the overall stability of the platform.
The D Man said:
at the world premier bystanders were baffled at what "Tiger" is. They just shook their heads and laughed at us in line when they found out it was just some new OS.
😛
nagromme
macrumors G5
narco said:
I know what you mean, but I think that's the nature of TV.
A print ad you can study at your leisure. Pick up the big message at first glance, and explore the text if you wish. Read something twice if you need to.
A TV ad hits you and then it's gone. It can't convey a lot of information effectively.
So what a TV ad should probably do is simply generate interest (as the iPod ads have done well) and then get people to go to Apple.com.
THERE they can get lots of info.
So it has to be a two-step process I think. TV, then web. For people who don't follow through and get curious, the ads can still raise awareness and mindshare.
The most information I can see TV ads getting across is one simple message per ad--and not too many different ones in rotation--and not with a lot of supporting details.
You could easily lose people by trying to make Spotlight something that drills through their TV stupor 😀
TheMasin9
macrumors 6502a
Noiseboy said:
i have seen a tablet ibook made, and i dont thing that apple will be releasing a new tablet os any time soon, the os is what they are doing so well, we dont want them to get distracted and start going and making 4 different os like (cough, cough) microsoft. Also the os is what is keeping the viruses and spyware out, windoze maintains so much backward compatability that the holes that were there in late 1990s are still there today, letting all the viruses get in. by updating the os, apple has again made a new set of code for hackers to try and figure out, besides, u know most hackers are on macs or linux comps anyway! I think so long as apple advertises the hardware and not the security of the os they will be fine, if you saw ads for a imac and then a dell run by, what would u think is sexier!!
What are TV ads?
I really never see TV ads since I have TiVo and the only programming I watch real-time is several HBO series, Thank god for HBO.
TiVo has somewhat the same ability to do to broadcast televsion that the iPod is doing to braodcast radio, You have the ability to take control of the programming. Thereby leaving commercials out.
I do howver feel that Apple does need to get its message accross better, And I agree with the earlier post that effective Ads are not always full of information. Heavy repetition of poignant points is the most effective, with eye-catching visuals.
I beleive they can do very well with this. Or they could just sponsor the Amercian Idiot talent search show.
I really never see TV ads since I have TiVo and the only programming I watch real-time is several HBO series, Thank god for HBO.
TiVo has somewhat the same ability to do to broadcast televsion that the iPod is doing to braodcast radio, You have the ability to take control of the programming. Thereby leaving commercials out.
I do howver feel that Apple does need to get its message accross better, And I agree with the earlier post that effective Ads are not always full of information. Heavy repetition of poignant points is the most effective, with eye-catching visuals.
I beleive they can do very well with this. Or they could just sponsor the Amercian Idiot talent search show.
broken_keyboard
macrumors 65816
i hope to see new ads of course, it would really help spread apple.... a counterpoint to the new XP ads would be great
Wonder Boy
macrumors 6502a
It would be very nice to see Apple promote the Mac more...
Does anyone else think that a campaign specifically advertising the fact that Macs are virus and spyware free would do wonders?
This is the #1 problem, by far, I see that consumers have with computers these days. Unless you are an intermediate user (even then it can be tough) keeping your Windows machine clean and safe is a daunting task.
Something like,
"Number of documented viruses for Windows: 13,193,321"
"Number of documented viruses for Mac OSX: 0"
"No headaches, no frustrations, no weekly visits to the local tech guru."
Just a quick example, I know those numbers aren't correct, but you see what I mean. Take advantage of this huge problem that has been inflicted upon the mass of PC users.
And Noiseboy: C'mon, you don't honestly believe the only reason Macs aren't infected is because of their marketshare? That's bullcrap that the avid Mac bashers would like you to believe. Even considering all exponential factors and what not, don't you think there would be at least *some* viruses for OSX considering its marketshare is around 4-5% of millions?
The fact is, it is much more secure than Windows. I want to see the platform grow, because I believe it would be better for the common user, and I am a loyal Apple customer.
Does anyone else think that a campaign specifically advertising the fact that Macs are virus and spyware free would do wonders?
This is the #1 problem, by far, I see that consumers have with computers these days. Unless you are an intermediate user (even then it can be tough) keeping your Windows machine clean and safe is a daunting task.
Something like,
"Number of documented viruses for Windows: 13,193,321"
"Number of documented viruses for Mac OSX: 0"
"No headaches, no frustrations, no weekly visits to the local tech guru."
Just a quick example, I know those numbers aren't correct, but you see what I mean. Take advantage of this huge problem that has been inflicted upon the mass of PC users.
And Noiseboy: C'mon, you don't honestly believe the only reason Macs aren't infected is because of their marketshare? That's bullcrap that the avid Mac bashers would like you to believe. Even considering all exponential factors and what not, don't you think there would be at least *some* viruses for OSX considering its marketshare is around 4-5% of millions?
The fact is, it is much more secure than Windows. I want to see the platform grow, because I believe it would be better for the common user, and I am a loyal Apple customer.
PlaceofDis said:
Brings up a good point, If MS didn't feel threatened by Tiger, why launch a massive ad campaign for a realatively ancient OS that 90+% of computers use anyway.
Sedulous
macrumors 68030
FoxyKaye said:
Yeah. I guess that is the general reaction we all sometimes see. "OMG, an Apple computer?!? There are the various stages of obliviousness:
1, What is a computer?
2, Where do the vacuum tubes fit?
3, I didn't know (usually spelled "no") Macs had the internet... and/or compatible with the Windows internet.
4, "UNIX", isn't that dudes that had their Wang (remember those computers?) cutoff... WHY WOULD I WANT THAT!?!
5, Where is the "C:\ prompt"?
It was a real kick (and perhaps effective marketing as well) to see a huge line of people snaking around the mall during Tiger's launch.
GilGrissom
macrumors 65816
I think Apple should do way more ads for all its products, get them in the face of the people. Im guessing this will be mainly in the US and not in the UK 🙁 , but I hope us Britains get some aswel at some point. The iPod adverts were wicked and highly effective. When I talk to "none-Apple folk!" about Apple, they always wonder why they don't advertise. I know they have their reasons but its not always a very strong good arguement against simple people who take at face value what they see on the TV!! "If its not on TV it can't be good, Ive never heard of it" kinda frame of mind!!
gwangung said:
Which is why market share is rising, right? Oh wait, that's due to consumer demand. Last time I saw, the average Joe who wants a computer dosn't read Business Week or Scientific American.
Macrumors said:
Of particular interest is the indication that Apple may start a heavy ad campaign "highlighting Macs". Apple has had an ongoing iPod TV ad campaign but has comparably little Mac advertising.
Spread the gospel!!!
It's about time. 😀
GilGrissom
macrumors 65816
the_mole1314 said:
That's my point exactly!! I know Apple are very good at the advertising they do (Business Week etc as already stated) and Im not a marketing wannabe!! hehe!! But I do agree with you, they should get more into the general public eye with their computers. Could create a "iPod halo effect" in advertising. Too many people are ignorant to Apple computers and their capabilities. Took me long enough!
trose said:
This type of ad would have the potential to blow up in their face, which is why I believe they will not exploit it. Yes the sheer number of MS viruses is daunting, however it would only take one well exectued not necessarily critical virus on OS X to shoot a hole in this type of ad. It doesn't matter as much how many viruses are out there, it really matters if your computer gets one. Then if there was a somewhat low-level quasi-effective virus for Mac, the media would be all over it and exploit the market share increase leads to virus increase myth.
vienna
macrumors newbie
gwangung said:
Advertising to specific industry sectors is fine, but marketing to the general public includes the people who work in the specific sectors Apple has targeted in the past. Also getting the word out about how good Tiger/Macs are can only help with the adoption of Macs in all sectors.
Obviously Apple can't show all the advantages of Tiger and their hardware, but just getting something out there that gets people to Apple.com would be a start. It's easy enough for Apple to offer targeted marketing on their website for people are attracted their from the TV ads, they could even use that data they collect on the web visit stats to influence how which features that advertise in future, based on what people seem to be interested in. Hell, at least have a prominent FAQ or something.
centauratlas
macrumors 68020
SiliconAddict
macrumors 603
Macrumors said:
YES!
God. I think I just had an orgasm. 😱 😀
What a novel concept. Apple actually competing. Will wonders never cease.
SiliconAddict
macrumors 603
As for the flash players. I'm a little skeptical. How many flash players are on the market? What did everyone give them all up at once? Hmmm