The Weeknd Stars in Two-Part Apple Music Ad During MTV VMAs

[nyctravis]

I suspect the people who hate these ads didn't or wouldn't watch the VMAs.

I really like them and think they did an excellent job conveying a message to their target audience.

 

[noveneerhere]

Apple debuted a new two-part Apple Music ad featuring The Weeknd during the 2015 MTV VMAs on Sunday night. The one-minute spots show The Weeknd walking backstage after performing at the MVAs, getting into a limo driven by actor John Travolta and listening to Beats 1 Radio while scrolling through his artist page on Apple Music Connect.

The Weeknd then arrives at an MVAs afterparty with his single "The Hills" playing and shuffles through additional songs from an Apple Music playlist, followed by the tagline "It's all in your head. Create your own party. Unlimited music for $9.99."

The Weeknd was one of the most played artists on Beats 1 since the radio station went live on June 30, alongside Drake, Disclosure, Fetty Wap, Jamie xx, A$AP Rocky, Years & Years, Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala and Major Lazer.

Apple launched a worldwide advertising campaign for its new streaming music service earlier this month, with billboards, posters and other signage appearing in cities including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto and Mexico City. Later in August, Apple released three artist-focused Apple Music ads starring James Bay and Kygo.

Article Link: The Weeknd Stars in Two-Part Apple Music Ad During MTV VMAs

Tim has been sold the horrible-marketing-mantra that only purpose of ads is to force associations on the 'consumer'. Associate it with girls, your celeb driver, social control, "everybody is talking about 'your' performance", limos etc. You only have to do that if you have a ****** product. It's lazy, as Jonny would say if he was allowed to. Titanic is sinking!

 

[Galley]

I am not in the target audience, but these ads were done well.

 

[mrgraff]

I think that he was supposed to be dreaming about attending an awesome VMA afterparty, but his acting came off more like hallucinating.

 

[rfrmac]

I guess I'm another person that this ad was not targeted for. I hope I like what I see much better September 9th. This just did not convince me to purchase the service at all.

 

[HenryDJP]

You'd think they'd spread the coverage of different genres in their ads though, to try and sell it to everyone.

The sad truth is this forum would still complain that THEIR genre of choice wasn't played in the ad....or it IS their genre but they didn't like the musician. I just love how if it's not some people taste around here then it's considered a bad ad.

In regards to them choosing The Weeknd to be in the ad only. Let's just be real about it. The audience spending money is the audience that listens to Hip Hop. Anyone can go right ahead and deny this but it's the truth. From a business standpoint Apple knows exactly what they are doing.

 

[HenryDJP]

Totally missed the VMAs this year. Not sure that is a bad thing considering Miley was hosting. Saw some pictures and this girl (actually younger than my daughter) naked out there (actually naked). Yeah not my thing at all.

As for the ads, I like them. They do a good job of conveying why the Music may be right for some people. I am never gonna be one of them, but I think this is good marketing.

You didn't miss a thing. The show was so horrible. Miley Cyrus, plus Bieber, plus Nikki Minaj, plus Kanye, plus fights on stage. Terrible show.

 

[SgtPepper12]

It amazes me how many people have commented anytime a young musician gets posted on macrumors, that it's not "their kind of music" or "I'm not the target audience". We care so much about your preferences.

It amazes me why someone who seemingly doesn't care for anyone's preferences would even bother to read any of these posts. This is a forum. You share your thoughts, opinions and preferences. If you don't like that, you probably shouldn't come here at all.

On topic, I don't think I really understood those ads, but they have a nice feel to it. It's very apparent from those ads that Apple made some changes to their design guidelines lately.

 

[Four oF NINE]

It amazes me how many people have commented anytime a young musician gets posted on macrumors, that it's not "their kind of music" or "I'm not the target audience". We care so much about your preferences.

Apparently you care enough to go out of your way to repost my comment and editorialize on it. You do realize this is a commentary forum, no? So why act surprised when people make comments? You're amazed, huh.. seriously?

 

[Roessnakhan]

I don't think I'm the target audience for these or the service.

I miss being able to relate to what's shown in Apple's ads

 

[HenryDJP]

Nothing in that to suggest why it's any better than other alternative services. Some hot ladies tho!

Who said that was the point of the ad? I don't think Apple needs to make ads anymore to get people to switch. They're too big to worry about that anymore.

 

[HenryDJP]

I Don't get it and I'm not even that old.

What's there not to get? Both ads are straight forward and to the point.

 

[HenryDJP]

Terrible ads. Certainly wouldn't make me interested in signing up for Apple Music. And when is the last time Apple flashed up a price at the end of an ad?

Come back to us when you have hard facts to back up that statement.

Um, I hate to say you sort of contradicted yourself and helped that other poster to make his point valid. You said there was nothing in the ad to make you sign up. Then you rebuttal the other poster who said Music is a failure. Well if you don't sign up you're helping it to become a failure. Just sayin'.

 

[beanbaguk]

What was that!? That has to be the worst advert I've ever seen from Apple.

Frankly, its about as likeable as a used dog poop bag, but then again Apple Music is a massive turd in itself so perhaps it's fitting.

 

[Mr. C.]

Does anybody else cringe when seeing the repeatedly shown excessive menu options?

 

[HenryDJP]

I think that he was supposed to be dreaming about attending an awesome VMA afterparty, but his acting came off more like hallucinating.

I think you're using the wrong terminology there buddy.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Yes yess, withdraw from the world, tune everyone out, imagine everyone in the world is admiring you, while in reality you sit in isolation ignoring them, staring at your telephone instead. Exist in a fantasy world in your own head. Wonderful.

Apple tailoring and marketing their music service primarily to what old white people think young black people want to see and hear, makes me wonder if they're right, and young black men are the only ones still spending money on music. iTunes has provided Apple with all the data on where the money is, and obviously classical and opera recordings aren't on the list.

 

[SDAVE]

What's there not to get? Both ads are straight forward and to the point.

I "get it" but what I'm saying is it's not powerful enough but showing it at the (horrible) VMA's is a smart move.

 

[HenryDJP]

On topic, I don't think I really understood those ads, but they have a nice feel to it. It's very apparent from those ads that Apple made some changes to their design guidelines lately.

Same question I asked another poster. What's in the ad that you don't get? Both ads are 100% straight forward in relaying the message. It's very obvious. I'd recommend a strong cup of joe.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Considering they were on during a music video awards show, they fit the slot.

 

[HenryDJP]

I "get it" but what I'm saying is it's not powerful enough but showing it at the (horrible) VMA's is a smart move.

I definitely agree the VMA's were horrible last night. I used to love awards shows. This went down the toilet....at least for me....but Apple knows who the music buying consumer is and what they watch on TV. Smart business move if anything.

 

[SDAVE]

I definitely agree the VMA's were horrible last night. I used to love awards shows. This went down the toilet....at least for me....but Apple knows who the music buying consumer is and what they watch on TV. Smart business move if anything.

We live in a post-post-post-modern society.

 

[Santabean2000]

Who said that was the point of the ad? I don't think Apple needs to make ads anymore to get people to switch. They're too big to worry about that anymore.

What is the point of the ad if not to attract new customers..? And who not better to attract than those who are already hooked on the streaming model..?

 

[citysnaps]

The ads are great, love them!

However, it's clear from some of the above responses that they are not targeted towards the older Cheetos-eating keyboard warriors who spend a lot of time on internet forums. That's a good thing.

 

[peteo]

It amazes me how many people have commented anytime a young musician gets posted on macrumors, that it's not "their kind of music" or "I'm not the target audience".

I agree. I listen to lots of old music (we'll cause I'm "old") but I also listen to new stuff. I find it weird that people get stuck in era and think all other music sucks. Really there's music that sounds like every era still being made. Really good music too. You just need to look for it. That's why I loved Mog, beats and now apple music. I can try so much music with out having worry about wasting $15 on a band just to see if I like their album. (allot of the music i listen to is not on the radio)

Don't be such an old fart, look around there's still great music being made.