Apple Vs. The Media, This is why I don't put any weight behind most reviews.

[I7guy]

You're wrong

http://disenthrall.co/scarcity-marketing-and-black-friday/
http://www.livescience.com/10290-black-friday-psychology-mad-deals.html
http://www.fatwallet.com/blog/black-friday-tip-59-scarcity-marketing-tricks/

It's CyberMonday and Amazon will have run a crapload of lightning deals by the end of today. Each deal has an artificially created expiration as well a % claimed tracker. Reasons are scarcity and social proof, two tenets of influence marketing

no I'm right. Black Friday, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day are all accepted days to go out and get things. Black Friday was created as a way to help retailers bolster sales.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%28shopping%29

It has since evolved into day where shoppers expect bargains. All of this happened before the Internet; GASP.

 

[Liquorpuki]

no I'm right. Black Friday, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day are all accepted days to go out and get things. Black Friday was created as a way to help retailers bolster sales.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)

It has since evolved into day where shoppers expect bargains. All of this happened before the Internet; GASP.

You're right about the origin, wrong about the marketing behind it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarcity_%28social_psychology%29
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/30/ferdig
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshlinkner/2014/11/28/harnessing-the-psychology-of-black-friday/
http://pyromarketing.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/12/the-psychology-of-black-friday-pt-1-scarcity-norms.html

Please read the above links and address. Maybe you're entirely rational with your purchase habits. If that's the case most people are not like you

 

[I7guy]

You're right about the origin, wrong about the marketing behind it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarcity_%28social_psychology%29
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/30/ferdig
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshlinkner/2014/11/28/harnessing-the-psychology-of-black-friday/
http://pyromarketing.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/12/the-psychology-of-black-friday-pt-1-scarcity-norms.html

Please read the above links and address. Maybe you're entirely rational with your purchase habits. If that's the case most people are not like you

You are trying to fit the problem definition to the answer, which I why I don't agree with your analysis. In my way of thinking that is a straw man argument.

Sure over the last many decades there have been a rash of crazes, beany babies, streaking, popular tv shows and movies, iphone, android operating system.

If you can look yourself in the mirror and say the sheer number of android handsets, both cheap and flagship are the result of "herd mentality" then I might think of agreeing with you.

Am I entirely rational? Heck no. I like popular luxury vehicles, popular high quality DSLR cameras, popular high quality phones. Stuff that the generic masses like. I don't purchase these items though on Black Friday.

 

[Liquorpuki]

You are trying to fit the problem definition to the answer, which I why I don't agree with your analysis. In my way of thinking that is a straw man argument.

I don't know what you think I'm talking about but all I'm doing is listing generic marketing strategies and examples. Every company has a marketing and PR department that exploits these strategies to get you to buy their stuff. Exploiting scarcity is one strategy - Black Friday is the token scarcity example which is why I mentioned it.

Another strategy is appeal to authority. Some authority figure weighs in on a product, consumers are more influenced to buy it. That's why that bottle of soap is marketed with the tagline "recommended by dermatologists". For the tech sector, authority = tech publications. Which brings us back to the OP and what happens when a company gets so big those sources of authority are basically in their pocket

If you can look yourself in the mirror and say the sheer number of android handsets, both cheap and flagship are the result of "herd mentality" then I might think of agreeing with you.

Not sure what you mean by this

Any BRAND is the result of herd mentality, or social proof. Apple, Samsung, HTC phones are all brands with different brand strengths. Apple has the strongest brand right now. Flagship Android handsets also have brand strength. People will buy a 6 Plus because their friends have it, same goes for a Note 4. OTOH those cheap whitebox Android handsets have zero brand strength and zero influence from social proof - people just buy them because they're cheap and they can't afford or don't care for a branded phone

So the sheer number of android handsets are the result of a many things. One is herd mentality for branded handsets. Another is the fact that Google gives the OS out for free lowering the cost barrier for phones in general. Another is that Android has the budget market cornered including crappy disposable whitebox devices

 

[Abazigal]

Indeed I am comparing them because the root principle is the use of propaganda for social control. It came from govt usage to marketing. That is how we get to the point where we actually have people talking about which "camp" they are a part of, "Apple vs Google", etc.



It’s ludicrous - like these companies give a damn about you? They don't - customers are just a wallet to be cracked open - with the use of propaganda. They tell you what you should like, they tell you what to think, they tell you you are part of a gang and there are “enemies” - its all PROPAGANDA aka “marketing”.



I'm awake bud. You're sleep-walking - a marketer’s dream….

I do get tired of this. Yes, in the abstract sense, it's true that no business actually "cares" about its clientele, but the fact remains that pissing your customers off will, in the long run, not exactly be profit-friendly.


Apple's massive profits are not at all coincidental to the fact that Apple bends over backwards to keep consumers happy. Apple makes products which look great and work great and which people love to use, and therefore, they are willing to pay for it.

I don't see why you (and so many other of your ilk) seem to be having problems wrapping your head around this logic.

 

[I7guy]

I do get tired of this. Yes, in the abstract sense, it's true that no business actually "cares" about its clientele, but the fact remains that pissing your customers off will, in the long run, not exactly be profit-friendly.


Apple's massive profits are not at all coincidental to the fact that Apple bends over backwards to keep consumers happy. Apple makes products which look great and work great and which people love to use, and therefore, they are willing to pay for it.

I don't see why you (and so many other of your ilk) seem to be having problems wrapping your head around this logic.

I don't know what you think I'm talking about but all I'm doing is listing generic marketing strategies and examples. Every company has a marketing and PR department that exploits these strategies to get you to buy their stuff. Exploiting scarcity is one strategy - Black Friday is the token scarcity example which is why I mentioned it.

Another strategy is appeal to authority. Some authority figure weighs in on a product, consumers are more influenced to buy it. That's why that bottle of soap is marketed with the tagline "recommended by dermatologists". For the tech sector, authority = tech publications. Which brings us back to the OP and what happens when a company gets so big those sources of authority are basically in their pocket



Not sure what you mean by this

Any BRAND is the result of herd mentality, or social proof. Apple, Samsung, HTC phones are all brands with different brand strengths. Apple has the strongest brand right now. Flagship Android handsets also have brand strength. People will buy a 6 Plus because their friends have it, same goes for a Note 4. OTOH those cheap whitebox Android handsets have zero brand strength and zero influence from social proof - people just buy them because they're cheap and they can't afford or don't care for a branded phone

So the sheer number of android handsets are the result of a many things. One is herd mentality for branded handsets. Another is the fact that Google gives the OS out for free lowering the cost barrier for phones in general. Another is that Android has the budget market cornered including crappy disposable whitebox devices

It's amazing to me. Peter Drucker 101. Keep your customers happy vs. herd mentality, blah, blah, blah.

I agree that advertising, use of social media, etc is to try to influence potential new customers and keep returning customers. But all those who believe apple somehow has this lofty control over 500 million customers, the answer is in red above.

 

[Osamede]

The notion of herd behavior as it ONLY to apple products is ridiculous..

It is ridiculous. Because in fact no one said that. It is ridiculous that you managed to manufacture that level of misconception.

For the 90th time: many companies try to do this feat. In some ways all try to some degree. But only a tiny handful can do it comprehensively it to any great degree - that's why they all end up discounting. And almost none can sustain it as long as Apple has.

Try and digest this - instead of autorepeating. Apparently you even took a marketing class once - yet you failed to grasp any of what "Liquorpuki" said?

Also granted the conspirators on this forum believe that us consumers think we have free will, but are in fact controlled by external influences. Sounds very much like the Matrix to me.

No, just real life.

By the way what's a "conspiracy". Do you know the definition? If two people in secret collaborate to make something happen that is harmful, its a conspiracy. Basically all that hullaboo going on with people being duped on "Black Friday" "super deals" that aint so super, for example? Well that's a conspiracy, technically speaking. How about that cell carrier you are using? Do you know they sat in the backroom with your congressman to make sure that there is no single network standard and you cant take your handset and just move to another carrier tomorrow? A bunch of people in a back room stealing your money. Hey - wait a minute - conspiracy. That's how cheap the word is......

By the way, have you voted before? Hurrah for "free will". Hurrah for all those campaign ads that secured your vote. Nobody can fool you, right? Working out great for the voters, no?

This is real deal about how media is manipulated. People need to open their yes instead of wallowing in denial.


By the way, below are some objective views of the market:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...ers-stuck-in-race-to-the-bottom-on-price.html
"...IDC said that modestly higher shipment volumes will not drive up overall revenues as each generation of flagship phones shows less and less differentiation from its predecessors. While premium phones aren't going anywhere, we are seeing increasingly better specs in more affordable smartphones, said Melissa Chau, senior research manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Consumers no longer have to go with a top-of-the-line handset to guarantee decent hardware quality or experience. The biggest question now is how much lower can prices go?"....?"

 

[I7guy]

It is ridiculous. Because in fact no one said that. It is ridiculous that you managed to manufacture that level of misconception.

For the 90th time: many companies try to do this feat. In some ways all try to some degree. But only a tiny handful can do it comprehensively it to any great degree - that's why they all end up discounting. And almost none can sustain it as long as Apple has.

Try and digest this - instead of autorepeating. Apparently you even took a marketing class once - yet you failed to grasp any of what "Liquorpuki" said?



No, just real life.

By the way what's a "conspiracy". Do you know the definition? If two people in secret collaborate to make something happen that is harmful, its a conspiracy. Basically all that hullaboo going on with people being duped on "Black Friday" "super deals" that aint so super, for example? Well that's a conspiracy, technically speaking. How about that cell carrier you are using? Do you know they sat in the backroom with your congressman to make sure that there is no single network standard and you cant take your handset and just move to another carrier tomorrow? A bunch of people in a back room stealing your money. Hey - wait a minute - conspiracy. That's how cheap the word is......

By the way, have you voted before? Hurrah for "free will". Hurrah for all those campaign ads that secured your vote. Nobody can fool you, right? Working out great for the voters, no?

This is real deal about how media is manipulated. People need to open their yes instead of wallowing in denial.


By the way, below are some objective views of the market:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...ers-stuck-in-race-to-the-bottom-on-price.html
"...IDC said that modestly higher shipment volumes will not drive up overall revenues as each generation of flagship phones shows less and less differentiation from its predecessors. While premium phones aren't going anywhere, we are seeing increasingly better specs in more affordable smartphones, said Melissa Chau, senior research manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Consumers no longer have to go with a top-of-the-line handset to guarantee decent hardware quality or experience. The biggest question now is how much lower can prices go?"....?"

For the 1000th time, I didn't manufacture anything as you have obviously not interpreted the posts correctly. You obviously fail to understand what it takes for a company to sell product. Hint: it's not the herd effect or slick marketing.

Do you know why BMW is able to lead the mid-size luxury segment in sales when their competitors have mostly the same features available and, in addition many low end vehicles have the same features, bluetooth, nav, backup camera, departure and lane warnings etc. If you read the interwebs, BMW produces mediocre product at best. However the shareholders don't care what the interwebs believe, as BMW is having a great year. Apple and BMW have much in common and both know their customers.

Obviously Apple customers don't care about IDC or apples' stock would be in the toilet along with their market cap. You would do well to understand what it takes to sell product and receive high JD power awards, instead of posting random quotes from the Internet.

 

[jamezr]

For the 1000th time, I didn't manufacture anything as you have obviously not interpreted the posts correctly. You obviously fail to understand what it takes for a company to sell product. Hint: it's not the herd effect or slick marketing.

Do you know why BMW is able to lead the mid-size luxury segment in sales when their competitors have mostly the same features available and, in addition many low end vehicles have the same features, bluetooth, nav, backup camera, departure and lane warnings etc. If you read the interwebs, BMW produces mediocre product at best. However the shareholders don't care what the interwebs believe, as BMW is having a great year. Apple and BMW have much in common and both know their customers.

Obviously Apple customers don't care about IDC or apples' stock would be in the toilet along with their market cap. You would do well to understand what it takes to sell product and receive high JD power awards, instead of posting random quotes from the Internet.

Did you equate Apple to BMW and mediocrity?

Apple is starting to make up the previous losses over this year.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.AAPL.NAS?ocid=INSFIST10

 

[I7guy]

Did you equate Apple to BMW and mediocrity?

Apple is starting to make up the previous losses over this year.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/fi-126.1.AAPL.NAS?ocid=INSFIST10

No I'm stating a posting on the Internet, which will be recorded post-humously for infinity, doesn't necessarily equate to anything of intelligence or is even a valid representation of reality:

As far as the msn quote: 115.14 up. What's your point stock market goes up and down. No one is immune; tech sector took a dive. Do you micromanage your portfolio?

 

[jamezr]

No I'm stating a posting on the Internet, which will be recorded post-humously for infinity, doesn't necessarily equate to anything of intelligence or is even a valid representation of reality:

As far as the msn quote: 115.14 up. What's your point stock market goes up and down. No one is immune; tech sector took a dive. Do you micromanage your portfolio?

so in other words...you have no idea?

 

[Osamede]

so in other words...you have no idea?

No, no - it's a conspiracy against Apple by the stock market.

 

[I7guy]

so in other words...you have no idea?

No it means you may not have a full understanding of how the markets work.

 

[jamezr]

No it means you may not have a full understanding of how the markets work.

Really but you do? Then could you explain?

 

[I7guy]

Really but you do? Then could you explain?

well I do, but this is not the time or place to engage in 20 questions. Maybe you want to explain how the msn link is relevant. Or is it just another supposed dig at Apple?

 

[jamezr]

Apple Vs. The Media, This is why I don't put any weight behind most reviews.

well I do, but this is not the time or place to engage in 20 questions. Maybe you want to explain how the msn link is relevant.

It was actually backing up your claims of Apple market cap. But you failed to grasp it. Like the rest of the discussion it went over your head.

 

[I7guy]

It was actually backing up your claims of Apple market cap. But you failed to grasp it. Like the rest of the discussion it went over your head.

Okay, I'm still not clear on what part of "tech sector took a dive and recovered" was misconstrued by you?

 

[jamezr]

Okay, I'm still not clear on what part of "tech sector took a dive and recovered" was misconstrued by you?

I know......

 

[I7guy]

I know......

Ah blame the victim. Fail to write a sufficiently cogent post and then blame the reader for misinterpretation. Nice strategy.

 

[jamezr]

Ah blame the victim. Fail to write a sufficiently cogent post and then blame the reader for misinterpretation. Nice strategy.

Now you're a victim? Oh my!

You are rambling now. None of your posts make sense.
you write:

If you read the interwebs, BMW produces mediocre product at best. However the shareholders don't care what the interwebs believe, as BMW is having a great year. Apple and BMW have much in common and both know their customers.

I asked you

Did you equate Apple to BMW and mediocrity?

Apple is starting to make up the previous losses over this year.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/stock...ocid=INSFIST10

Did you READ the link? It actually backed up what you wrote about Apple and market cap!! But somehow you missed it...... Apple stock keeps climbing.......increasing market cap!!! Do you get it now?
Its true what they say about the horse and water......
You still haven't answered my question about the above in red.
You make statements and then never follow up when questioned on them. You just make stuff up!

 

[I7guy]

Now you're a victim? Oh my!

You are rambling now. None of your posts make sense.
you write:

I asked you

Did you equate Apple to BMW and mediocrity?

Apple is starting to make up the previous losses over this year.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/stock...ocid=INSFIST10

Did you READ the link? It actually backed up what you wrote about Apple and market cap!! But somehow you missed it...... Apple stock keeps climbing.......increasing market cap!!! Do you get it now?
Its true what they say about the horse and water......
You still haven't answered my question about the above in red.
You make statements and then never follow up when questioned on them. You just make stuff up!


Image

Sir, I didn't miss anything, I reiterated exactly what you said in different words, but you are either deliberately obfuscating or misread my post just like one of the others.

 

[Liquorpuki]

If you read the interwebs, BMW produces mediocre product at best. However the shareholders don't care what the interwebs believe, as BMW is having a great year. Apple and BMW have much in common and both know their customers.

So mediocre product, but still sells because they know their customer

If that's not good marketing, I don't what is

 

[I7guy]

So mediocre product, but still sells because they know their customer

If that's not good marketing, I don't what is

Or, the inter webs are wrong. Remember if you read these threads/blogs they are personal opinions. just because its written doesn't really make it true or valid, which is the point you might have missed.

As such saying a product is mediocre doesn't really change anything; its just an opinion. If you believe for example, lexus produces a mediocre product then the reason it sells is due to good marketing. On the other hand, if you believe Lexus produces a great product, the car sells itself and doesn't really need any help from advertisements.

See how this works?

 

[mercuryjones]

So mediocre product, but still sells because they know their customer

If that's not good marketing, I don't what is

Nah. Strong product, strong support, great company. People seem to love when you put the three of those things together.
But, you just keep thinking it's all marketing, if it helps you to sleep at night.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Nah. Strong product, strong support, great company. People seem to love when you put the three of those things together.
But, you just keep thinking it's all marketing, if it helps you to sleep at night.

Proof Apple marketing is good at what it does. Marketing budget in the hundreds of millions and they got their customers believing their products are so great marketing doesn't matter

I hope they get Christmas bonuses