Critics call for more visual Leopard commercials from Apple
We’ve all seen them; poignant little jabs from “Mac” to “PC” about how the latter will always be inferior in a 30-second television spot. However, some critics are tired of the humor and want to see Apple really demonstrate the product that “Mac” keeps pointing out is so superior to Vista.
OS Weekly writer Brandon Watts aptly points out that many who might begin to like the idea of switching to Macs from the Leopard commercials might eventually want to see the product in action before making a decision. In truth, Apple does an excellent job of demonstrating the versatility and performance of the iPhone in nearly every commercial for that product; why not something similar for Leopard?I have a few answers for the critics who keep wondering why on earth Apple isn’t doing more to push Apple:
- Unlike the iPhone, Leopard isn’t anything so revolutionary that people will be completely wowed and flabbergasted at seeing. Of course, there are visual niceties and other improvements to the previous OS (not to mention any iteration of Windows) that would be nice to see; however, they aren’t nearly as easily demonstrated on-screen as the iPhone capabilities are.
- By not demonstrating Leopard on television, the buzz around Leopard for non-Mac users can build up; PC users will wonder what it’s all about, and if they happen to be around a Mac user during the commercial spot, most likely that Mac user will praise Leopard and OS X to no end. By the time the PC user manages to wander into an Apple retailer, they’re nearly sold on the thing just from the anticipation.
- Finally, by making PC users wander into Apple stores to actually see Leopard, in addition to the anticipation those users now have some of the best sales reps pointing out Leopard in all its glory, without letting the PC user get stuck in the muck of OS adoption. That representative points out the flashy points, how Leopard is better, and viola, you have a sold Mac-addict.
Though it might seem like a better option to demonstrate Leopard on-screen, you can be sure that Apple’s marketing team knows exactly what’s up; I personally think the marketing strategy for Leopard is working brilliantly. Just look at the Mac sales numbers for the past quarter. Keep the witty commercials coming.
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January 14th, 2008
Bad idea.
The new “Time Machine” ad is a better way to do something like this than showing screen snapshots. Beauty is skin deep and there’s plenty of ways to make Windows look like Mac OS X.
Also, I don’t think that kind of thing would be very effective in a 30 second spot. The idea of the 30 second spot is to make the customer interested and want to learn more. Nobody is going to buy a Macintosh computer based solely on a 30 second ad. So use the 30 seconds to get them interested and then tell them where they can go to get more information (ie, http://www.apple.com, your nearest Apple Store, etc.)
January 15th, 2008
Januaey 15, 2008
Apple – keep those PC – Mac adds coming. They are great. Showing how a Mac works to a PC guy will not got it. They just don’t get it at all. Never will. I have an iMac. I have friends with PC Windows machines. When I visit, I use their PC machines.
Mac is way cool!
JOHN LONGENECKER
PictureAmerica.org
January 15th, 2008
apple.com has several videos detailing the features of Leopard. More than any 30 sec. spot could every do on tv.
January 17th, 2008
Technology is your God. Not good.
January 17th, 2008
I’m not a Mac user, but I’m WELL aware that Leopard is a very good product. However, the current ads turn me of. I and most of the people I know who’ve seen these ads are more drawn to the loveable dork PC than the shallow young hipster Mac character. And the more I see of these ads, the more that situation manifests: An interesting reversal.
January 17th, 2008
Who watches TV anymore anyway?
January 18th, 2008
Daxzamia:
Do you feel like commenting further on that idea? I really don’t know what you’re implying, but I’m a techie writer. What do you expect but technology writing?