WHY IN THE HELL is Apple not producing and selling Apple-branded items, via their website and (especially) their retail stores?</strong><hr></blockquote>
It is a tad remiss, especially because you can get this kind of merchandise from the store at Cupertino.
I like the part about "come get some" by TigerWoods99, and I'll accept anything so long as Jeff Goldblum doesn't say it. If that guy says one more word in an Apple commercial.....well.....there's gonna be trouble. That's all I'm saying.
<strong>Honestly, does anyone outside our community of current Mac users/fans know about the existence of these Apple retail stores?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually...we're getting there.
I noticed an ad for iPod in my wife's Entertainment Weekly (I know) and that was kewl to see.
Also today at lunch my crazy Aunt brought up how she bought a "Network Walkman" and how it can hold a whole 2 hours (!) of music and *my Dad* told her that the iPod can hold 1000 songs.
This is the guy who calls my iBook a "toy." The best part is i have no idea where he heard about iPod.
The dude's 55 and he knows that iPod holds 1000 songs.
Rad.
--- edit ---
What I forgot to close with is:
If my dad can learn about iPod and remember its specs, it won't be long before other people start to catch on too.
<strong>I always see Apple ads TIME MAGAZINE. The last one has about 3 iPod ads. One in the front one on the back page and I think one insider there somwhere.</strong><hr></blockquote>
There have also been Apple ads in Premiere magazine for as long as I can remember. This month there's a two page ad with the PBG4 and iBook inside the front cover. "Too bad you only have one lap".
Um, Dave's ideas are about as engaging as that annoying adolescent 'spokes-dude' fronting for Dell these days (nothin' personal, Dave). Is that really what you want from Apple?
And as for merchandising, I for one have always been kind of glad that Apple is so interested protecting its brand name. It gives the brand a little dignity in this "Harry Potter-Handsoap(tm)" and "N'Sync-Nightlite(tm)" world.
And okay, so your are the real pscates...what has you so angry since these boards went down?
Read above. Not angry. Just frustrated with this particular issue/topic.
I'm actually a pretty chirpy guy. Good job, good computer, good friends, etc.
Where do you get "angry" from? THIS thread?
I think I'm in the majority at my displeasure with Apple's silence and TOO laid-back approach.
I think it's a far leap from what they're doing now to some lame, all-over-the-place tacky sort of marketing. You can be aggressive and visible and still be cool and classy about it.
I just wish they'd figure out a way, that's all.
BTW, do I KNOW you? I don't recall your name from before. Why so interested in if I'm the "real" pscates or why I'm angry?
<strong>Um, Dave's ideas are about as engaging as that annoying adolescent 'spokes-dude' fronting for Dell these days (nothin' personal, Dave). Is that really what you want from Apple?
</strong><hr></blockquote>No offense taken, but that is what seems to be working. Dell is the only other computer maker actually doing well in these tough times. Imagine if Apple tried! <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
Well, I agree that Apple may need to reconsider its message, but I hope they continue to do it with style.
And no pscates, I don't really know you (I was MG, then 'KeyLimePi,' but have gone back to just MG since the boards came up), but I've always been a big fan of your Illustrator artwork. Anyway, those posts above do seem a little angry...but I guess we'll go with "frustrated." Advertising may also be in the eye of the beholder, but like Dave said I guess it's all about what sells.
Oh, okay...I remember you! Thanks! I was trying so hard to remember back to the old AI and Michael Gray just didn't ring any bells at all. I was wondering who you were.
I don't think advertising and good taste cancel each other out. I don't ever think Apple would embark on a campaign of local car dealer quality.
But just a tighter, more focused and higher-in-frequency effort might be called for.
It just seems odd that a company (and I've said this half a gazillion times over the past year or two) with such amazing products, both hardware AND software, seems to be so unconcerned with getting the word out.
I'd like to see Apple produce some commercials NOT geared toward us, the already "indoctrinated".
How many people who are not Mac users know about AirPort and how cool it could be, especially in a multi-Mac household?
And OS X? For this to be the biggest news and "next generation operating system", they sure don't seem to be moving fast to trumpet it to the masses.
I only get upset and frustrated because Apple states goals like "increasing marketshare" with these new stores.
But honestly, if people don't KNOW about these new stores...
All these grand openings lately...the only people standing in line and showing up for the big day are Mac users and fans.
Some guy with a Compaq isn't going to wake up at 4am to go stand in line. He probably won't even go there period if he doesn't even know one exists!
Don't get me wrong: I too like a classy, less-is-more, understated approach to marketing and advertising. And in Apple's case, the products could (and should) speak for themselves. But Apple HAS to do a little on THEIR end to ensure that the average Joe out there is indeed aware of what they have to offer.
Sitting outside the Glendale Apple store a few months ago, waiting on a buddy to finish a big transaction, SO many people walked by, glanced over and just kept on walking: young, old, male, female, couples, families, black, white, Asian, Latino, etc.
Honestly, I saw maybe two or three people look over, stop in their tracks and head over, just to see what it was. One of them didn't even finish and make it inside the store. It was as if they said "Macs? Nahhhh...what good are they to me?" and just kept on walking.
The other? They went in and seemed halfway impressed by the stuff (although, I'm sure before it was over the price tags deflated some of that newfound interest...).
I don't know. I'm not a marketing genius. And by all appearances, neither is Apple.
Regarding my other post about Apple-branded merchandise, Apple's stance here is almost unforgiveable. As Belle said, they're already doing this in Cupertino, at the headquarters store.
So does that mean only people from Cupertino are cool enough or worthy to get this stuff?
To me, this is a total no-brainer. If Apple is doing it at their company store, what possible reason could they have for not doing it at their very own retail stores? Do they not realize people would not love to show the world their allegiance and loyalty to their computing platform of choice?
And don't forget the extra revenue. Sure, it takes a bunch of T-shirts and coffee mugs to equal a dual processor G4 and a Cinema Display, but is that reason enough NOT to do it?
No.
Every little bit helps...and the free advertising and exposure probably couldn't be measured in dollars.
Look at it like this: all these loyal, borderline fanatical Apple fans/users who show up for these grand openings and who frequent these stores on a semi-regular basis. That's got to easily equal THOUSANDS of walking billboards throughout the country.
The four times I've been to Glendale, I would've been more than happy to drop $25-100 EACH TIME for a cool shirt, hat, mousepad, mug, etc. and I know I'm not the only one.
Hell, I could even imagine that on slow days, sales of stuff like this might make up for a computer not being sold. It would almost be a guaranteed cash cow!
And I just don't know why they don't do it.
And I'm not talking about that rainbow logo overpriced bullcrap at redlightrunner.com. I'm talking Jobs-era, current aquified iGoodies!
Apple needs to realize they have a following and a user base like no other computer/tech company. I don't think there's this huge clamor for people to buy Compaq baseball hats or Gateway or Microsoft T-shirts or keychains.
But Apple? It's a whole different ballgame. I don't have (nor do I want) any Sony, JVC, Aiwa, Iomega or Gibson clothing or trinkets, even though I own and love their stuff.
But if I could buy a cool Apple T-shirt or ballcap or keychain or whatever, man I'd wear it and use them every chance I got.
That white little logo decal on the back of my car just isn't enough anymore!
How about a movie tie-in? The Nokia deal on The Matrix sold millions of the 7100 series around the world, even though it was the most awful, buggy phone.
Apple should get Jonathan Ive to knock up a few concept machines, sticking a huge Apple logo on each, then place them in Matrix 2, and get Keanu to do a few TV ads.
<strong>How about a movie tie-in? The Nokia deal on The Matrix sold millions of the 7100 series around the world, even though it was the most awful, buggy phone.
Apple should get Jonathan Ive to knock up a few concept machines, sticking a huge Apple logo on each, then place them in Matrix 2, and get Keanu to do a few TV ads.</strong><hr></blockquote>
and I suppose the less said about 'Mission Impossible' the better eh! (Powerbook tie in)
It could only help! That would be cool. I watched the first few episodes of "Dark Angel" last year (before I figured out I didn't really like it) and even though it's set in the future, the guy on there had a Cube and Cinema Display.
But that WOULD be cool to do a thing with Apple designing a cool, one-off futuristic "what if" Mac for a movie set in the future, especially with a prominent logo displayed.
Have it floating in mid-air or something, looking all sleek and completely cool.
Kind of a little "hey, we're gonna be here for a LONG time, pal...and we're STILL gonna be kicking everyone's ass in the industrial design department, too!" message to the public.
Actually, during the past six months or so, I'm seeing Macs EVERYWHERE on TV!
Sitcoms, dramas, infommercials, documentaries, E!, VH-1, MTV, etc.
That new show with Keifer Sutherland on Fox had a TON of them in it, logo displayed nicely and all. As did an episode I saw last week of "Absolutely Fabulous": Cube, Blue Dalmation iMac, Studio Displays, etc.
It's because they look so cool, I guess. If I worked as a set decorator or production designer and had to outfit a set with a computer(s) and it was up to me as to what kind, well...
Why wouldn't I?
Square beige box vs. shapely translucent statement?
<strong>and I suppose the less said about 'Mission Impossible' the better eh! (Powerbook tie in)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Heh, maybe so, but the film did reasonably well at the box office, the TV ads were all over the place, the PowerBook featured in all the trailers, and despite the rest of the movie, those sleek black computers looked great.
[quote]Actually, during the past six months or so, I'm seeing Macs EVERYWHERE on TV!<hr></blockquote>
I know! There's hardly a day goes by where I don't see a Mac somewhere. They're on so many TV shows.
[quote]It's because they look so cool, I guess. If I worked as a set decorator or production designer and had to outfit a set with a computer(s) and it was up to me as to what kind, well...<hr></blockquote>
This is the problem. They're on our screens because the designers like the way they look. Apple really ought to take a more proactive role in placing Macs in TV shows and movies. I rented the What Women Want DVD the other day (I know, I know, BIG mistake), and that was crammed with graphite displays and PowerBooks. Mind you, it is set at an advertising agency.
first, apple is going to get a break here with their upcoming G5. Intel's new chip is having issues scaling up to high Mhz's, it's not like the crappy P4 with the excess pipelines. Of course, it's actually a good chip, so maybe no more Photoshop tests.
However, Intel will likely be spending some big money making people realize that Mhz aren't everything, and undo all the previous work they've done to make everything think Mhz are everything.
second, apple really should be pushing the fact that OSX is a stable, Unix based OS. This isn't some gradeschool computer running a gradeschool OS. this is the real deal. at the same time, it's still easy to use. go figure. Apple finally has the best of both world's, they should promote that.
as for the G5, the chip isn't the issue. Apple made it big back when they were the cheapest destop publishing setup out there. they need to find something like that again and work as far as possible. it could be DVD authoring, it could be CD authoring, music creating etc.
also, people are finally getting a bit scared of the all the personal information/privacy invasion issues. promote the fact that you don't have to sign up for this passport crap, or fill out a billion registration forms and serial keys to use the MacOS.
also, work on the virus/security side of things. macs are way more secure that pc's. use it.
A guy walks into an office setting carrying a Tibook. Several people in a friendly, kidding way say things that point out he's the office's only Mac guy.
After he settles in we see shots of him just blowing the day doing things that people assume Macs can't do, especially involving PC users in the office. Off the top of my head, I see him writing a love letter to his girlfriend in Word, instant messaging with someone in the office who he can see, killing his next door neighbor in an online game (Diablo II or whatever), using the office printer for some stupid purpose-just anything people assume Macs have compatability issues with.
Then, at the end of the day, his blowhard boss comes up and tells him he's the only guy he trusts to get anything done because everyone else "Just goofs around with each other on their computers."
It's not perfect, but I think Apple needs an ad just devoted to dispelling the "Compatability Myth."
Comments
<strong>And, oh yeah:
WHY IN THE HELL is Apple not producing and selling Apple-branded items, via their website and (especially) their retail stores?</strong><hr></blockquote>
It is a tad remiss, especially because you can get this kind of merchandise from the store at Cupertino.
G5
come get some motherf*ckers
<strong>Honestly, does anyone outside our community of current Mac users/fans know about the existence of these Apple retail stores?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually...we're getting there.
I noticed an ad for iPod in my wife's Entertainment Weekly (I know) and that was kewl to see.
Also today at lunch my crazy Aunt brought up how she bought a "Network Walkman" and how it can hold a whole 2 hours (!) of music and *my Dad* told her that the iPod can hold 1000 songs.
This is the guy who calls my iBook a "toy." The best part is i have no idea where he heard about iPod.
The dude's 55 and he knows that iPod holds 1000 songs.
Rad.
--- edit ---
What I forgot to close with is:
If my dad can learn about iPod and remember its specs, it won't be long before other people start to catch on too.
We're getting there.
[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: BerberCarpet ]</p>
[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: TigerWoods99 ]</p>
<strong>I always see Apple ads TIME MAGAZINE. The last one has about 3 iPod ads. One in the front one on the back page and I think one insider there somwhere.</strong><hr></blockquote>
There have also been Apple ads in Premiere magazine for as long as I can remember. This month there's a two page ad with the PBG4 and iBook inside the front cover. "Too bad you only have one lap".
Okay, who is the guy using pscates' old member name??
It's me, for real. And Dave is on the money.
And as for merchandising, I for one have always been kind of glad that Apple is so interested protecting its brand name. It gives the brand a little dignity in this "Harry Potter-Handsoap(tm)" and "N'Sync-Nightlite(tm)" world.
And okay, so your are the real pscates...what has you so angry since these boards went down?
I'm actually a pretty chirpy guy. Good job, good computer, good friends, etc.
Where do you get "angry" from? THIS thread?
I think I'm in the majority at my displeasure with Apple's silence and TOO laid-back approach.
I think it's a far leap from what they're doing now to some lame, all-over-the-place tacky sort of marketing. You can be aggressive and visible and still be cool and classy about it.
I just wish they'd figure out a way, that's all.
BTW, do I KNOW you? I don't recall your name from before. Why so interested in if I'm the "real" pscates or why I'm angry?
Just curious...
<strong>Um, Dave's ideas are about as engaging as that annoying adolescent 'spokes-dude' fronting for Dell these days (nothin' personal, Dave). Is that really what you want from Apple?
</strong><hr></blockquote>No offense taken, but that is what seems to be working. Dell is the only other computer maker actually doing well in these tough times. Imagine if Apple tried! <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
And no pscates, I don't really know you (I was MG, then 'KeyLimePi,' but have gone back to just MG since the boards came up), but I've always been a big fan of your Illustrator artwork. Anyway, those posts above do seem a little angry...but I guess we'll go with "frustrated." Advertising may also be in the eye of the beholder, but like Dave said I guess it's all about what sells.
I don't think advertising and good taste cancel each other out. I don't ever think Apple would embark on a campaign of local car dealer quality.
But just a tighter, more focused and higher-in-frequency effort might be called for.
It just seems odd that a company (and I've said this half a gazillion times over the past year or two) with such amazing products, both hardware AND software, seems to be so unconcerned with getting the word out.
I'd like to see Apple produce some commercials NOT geared toward us, the already "indoctrinated".
How many people who are not Mac users know about AirPort and how cool it could be, especially in a multi-Mac household?
And OS X? For this to be the biggest news and "next generation operating system", they sure don't seem to be moving fast to trumpet it to the masses.
I only get upset and frustrated because Apple states goals like "increasing marketshare" with these new stores.
But honestly, if people don't KNOW about these new stores...
All these grand openings lately...the only people standing in line and showing up for the big day are Mac users and fans.
Some guy with a Compaq isn't going to wake up at 4am to go stand in line. He probably won't even go there period if he doesn't even know one exists!
Don't get me wrong: I too like a classy, less-is-more, understated approach to marketing and advertising. And in Apple's case, the products could (and should) speak for themselves. But Apple HAS to do a little on THEIR end to ensure that the average Joe out there is indeed aware of what they have to offer.
Sitting outside the Glendale Apple store a few months ago, waiting on a buddy to finish a big transaction, SO many people walked by, glanced over and just kept on walking: young, old, male, female, couples, families, black, white, Asian, Latino, etc.
Honestly, I saw maybe two or three people look over, stop in their tracks and head over, just to see what it was. One of them didn't even finish and make it inside the store. It was as if they said "Macs? Nahhhh...what good are they to me?" and just kept on walking.
The other? They went in and seemed halfway impressed by the stuff (although, I'm sure before it was over the price tags deflated some of that newfound interest...).
I don't know. I'm not a marketing genius. And by all appearances, neither is Apple.
Regarding my other post about Apple-branded merchandise, Apple's stance here is almost unforgiveable. As Belle said, they're already doing this in Cupertino, at the headquarters store.
So does that mean only people from Cupertino are cool enough or worthy to get this stuff?
To me, this is a total no-brainer. If Apple is doing it at their company store, what possible reason could they have for not doing it at their very own retail stores? Do they not realize people would not love to show the world their allegiance and loyalty to their computing platform of choice?
And don't forget the extra revenue. Sure, it takes a bunch of T-shirts and coffee mugs to equal a dual processor G4 and a Cinema Display, but is that reason enough NOT to do it?
No.
Every little bit helps...and the free advertising and exposure probably couldn't be measured in dollars.
Look at it like this: all these loyal, borderline fanatical Apple fans/users who show up for these grand openings and who frequent these stores on a semi-regular basis. That's got to easily equal THOUSANDS of walking billboards throughout the country.
The four times I've been to Glendale, I would've been more than happy to drop $25-100 EACH TIME for a cool shirt, hat, mousepad, mug, etc. and I know I'm not the only one.
Hell, I could even imagine that on slow days, sales of stuff like this might make up for a computer not being sold. It would almost be a guaranteed cash cow!
And I just don't know why they don't do it.
And I'm not talking about that rainbow logo overpriced bullcrap at redlightrunner.com. I'm talking Jobs-era, current aquified iGoodies!
Apple needs to realize they have a following and a user base like no other computer/tech company. I don't think there's this huge clamor for people to buy Compaq baseball hats or Gateway or Microsoft T-shirts or keychains.
But Apple? It's a whole different ballgame. I don't have (nor do I want) any Sony, JVC, Aiwa, Iomega or Gibson clothing or trinkets, even though I own and love their stuff.
But if I could buy a cool Apple T-shirt or ballcap or keychain or whatever, man I'd wear it and use them every chance I got.
That white little logo decal on the back of my car just isn't enough anymore!
Apple should get Jonathan Ive to knock up a few concept machines, sticking a huge Apple logo on each, then place them in Matrix 2, and get Keanu to do a few TV ads.
<strong>How about a movie tie-in? The Nokia deal on The Matrix sold millions of the 7100 series around the world, even though it was the most awful, buggy phone.
Apple should get Jonathan Ive to knock up a few concept machines, sticking a huge Apple logo on each, then place them in Matrix 2, and get Keanu to do a few TV ads.</strong><hr></blockquote>
and I suppose the less said about 'Mission Impossible' the better eh! (Powerbook tie in)
<a href="http://www.cupertino.de/pages/filme/mov_11/mi.html"; target="_blank">
[ 11-24-2001: Message edited by: Mediaman ]</p>
But that WOULD be cool to do a thing with Apple designing a cool, one-off futuristic "what if" Mac for a movie set in the future, especially with a prominent logo displayed.
Have it floating in mid-air or something, looking all sleek and completely cool.
Kind of a little "hey, we're gonna be here for a LONG time, pal...and we're STILL gonna be kicking everyone's ass in the industrial design department, too!" message to the public.
Sitcoms, dramas, infommercials, documentaries, E!, VH-1, MTV, etc.
That new show with Keifer Sutherland on Fox had a TON of them in it, logo displayed nicely and all. As did an episode I saw last week of "Absolutely Fabulous": Cube, Blue Dalmation iMac, Studio Displays, etc.
It's because they look so cool, I guess. If I worked as a set decorator or production designer and had to outfit a set with a computer(s) and it was up to me as to what kind, well...
Why wouldn't I?
Square beige box vs. shapely translucent statement?
Hmmm...
<strong>and I suppose the less said about 'Mission Impossible' the better eh! (Powerbook tie in)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Heh, maybe so, but the film did reasonably well at the box office, the TV ads were all over the place, the PowerBook featured in all the trailers, and despite the rest of the movie, those sleek black computers looked great.
[quote]Actually, during the past six months or so, I'm seeing Macs EVERYWHERE on TV!<hr></blockquote>
I know! There's hardly a day goes by where I don't see a Mac somewhere. They're on so many TV shows.
[quote]It's because they look so cool, I guess. If I worked as a set decorator or production designer and had to outfit a set with a computer(s) and it was up to me as to what kind, well...<hr></blockquote>
This is the problem. They're on our screens because the designers like the way they look. Apple really ought to take a more proactive role in placing Macs in TV shows and movies. I rented the What Women Want DVD the other day (I know, I know, BIG mistake), and that was crammed with graphite displays and PowerBooks. Mind you, it is set at an advertising agency.
[ 11-24-2001: Message edited by: Belle ]</p>
first, apple is going to get a break here with their upcoming G5. Intel's new chip is having issues scaling up to high Mhz's, it's not like the crappy P4 with the excess pipelines. Of course, it's actually a good chip, so maybe no more Photoshop tests.
However, Intel will likely be spending some big money making people realize that Mhz aren't everything, and undo all the previous work they've done to make everything think Mhz are everything.
second, apple really should be pushing the fact that OSX is a stable, Unix based OS. This isn't some gradeschool computer running a gradeschool OS. this is the real deal. at the same time, it's still easy to use. go figure. Apple finally has the best of both world's, they should promote that.
as for the G5, the chip isn't the issue. Apple made it big back when they were the cheapest destop publishing setup out there. they need to find something like that again and work as far as possible. it could be DVD authoring, it could be CD authoring, music creating etc.
also, people are finally getting a bit scared of the all the personal information/privacy invasion issues. promote the fact that you don't have to sign up for this passport crap, or fill out a billion registration forms and serial keys to use the MacOS.
also, work on the virus/security side of things. macs are way more secure that pc's. use it.
just a few ideas.
-alcimedes
A guy walks into an office setting carrying a Tibook. Several people in a friendly, kidding way say things that point out he's the office's only Mac guy.
After he settles in we see shots of him just blowing the day doing things that people assume Macs can't do, especially involving PC users in the office. Off the top of my head, I see him writing a love letter to his girlfriend in Word, instant messaging with someone in the office who he can see, killing his next door neighbor in an online game (Diablo II or whatever), using the office printer for some stupid purpose-just anything people assume Macs have compatability issues with.
Then, at the end of the day, his blowhard boss comes up and tells him he's the only guy he trusts to get anything done because everyone else "Just goofs around with each other on their computers."
It's not perfect, but I think Apple needs an ad just devoted to dispelling the "Compatability Myth."
Jeff