Chapter 7: Business Marketing

    Products produced by Apple have not particularly marketed towards the business and commercial market. In this aspect, Microsoft is more often considered the preferred business brand, whereas Apple has been more generally accepted among the general population. Apple products do, however, continue to increase in popularity and have consistently been in high demand. After introducing the iPad, businesses seem to have taken a liking to it's portability and wide array of web-based applications, slowly being favored over Windows office applications and computers. With a sleek and user-friendly interface, Apple's operating system on tablets is steadily establishing it's place in the workplace.

     Today we can observe a change in Apple's approach with marketing it's devices, the iPad in particular. Each new model of the iPad is built lighter and more powerful in order to handle heavier workloads when multitasking, which is common in a workplace. It is becoming more common to see businesses, both big and small, utilizing iPads, and even tablets in general, to organize and perform tasks that would otherwise require them to stay put in front of a desktop computer. The speed of the user interface and web app convenience has become one of the greatest selling points of the iPad in the business market, because time is money.

Chapter 8: Segmenting and Targeting Markets

     When it comes to segmenting and targeting markets, Apple utilizes a combination of strategies, rarely ever following a traditional strategy but always sticking to what works for them. Taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," approach with their market targeting, it is made sure that products are made to cater to a wide range of consumers.

     Implementing demographic segmentation, Apple tends to focus its retail locations within specific areas. Densely populated areas such as New York and California, are home to 14 and 47 retail store locations, respectively. This concentration of retail stores makes it clear that the company is focusing in on their target market. This would also suggest a concentrated targeting strategy which has allowed Apple to develop a sweetspot and establish themselves as a sort of trend among the urban population without sacrificing product quality. There is not much variation in product lines, as there is not much difference between some of the devices themselves, but the few differences are significant enough to distinguish each from one another.
As Apple products have increased in popularity, the company has created for itself a "lifestyle brand,," image, resonating most not only with the younger demographic, but with a wide variety of markets.

Chapter 11: Developing and Managing Products

     Known for its memorable advertisements and recognizable designs all around the world, Apple has been labeled in today's society as the status symbol of technology. There's something about their products that just exudes quality, the price being a big factor but high prices are not usually a selling point. So, what could it be?

     Steve Jobs was perhaps Apple's greatest asset up until his unfortunate death in 2011. With him on the team, the amount of innovation was astounding and seemed to never end. Each contemporary product of Jobs' mind and creation was a groundbreaking success with the most notable being the iPod, which changed the mobile audio player industry. Now, people were able to easily carry large amounts of audio files on one device and listen to their collection wherever and whenever. This would demolish the large market share and hot item status that belonged to the Sony Walkman product line. Expanding on the idea of the iPod, Apple introduced the iPod nano being a more compact version, then the iPod Touch which gave rise to a new industry of mobile applications. There was also the iPhone, which was similar to the iPod Touch in design, but with the functionality of a cellular phone. The iPad, when introduced, slowly became a substitute for laptops and portable computers.

     Each product line was generally accepted as the new standard for its industry. None of these products were the first of their kind, but had expanded on the fundamental concepts of such devices and developed a superior product that could not be beaten in versatility. When Apple develops a product, design and functionality are of the utmost utmost importance, but it's the company's vision for the future and evolution of each product that acts as the vehicle towards success.

Chapter 18: Social Media and Marketing

Social media includes things like websites, television, newspapers and just about anywhere consumers are looking. Apple has had its hands in it all and it's know how to make use of social media apps like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. In part its not only Apple doing product advertisements but people, their consumers, tweet, post pictures, and comment on pictures straight from their iPods, iPads, iPhones, and Macs. Now, all of these elements help Apple strive in the growing technological era and digital market. Consumers will talk about their Apple products, show them off and as such Apple's product impression will too, continue growing.    

  

Chapter 10: Product Concepts

     Today, many of Apple's products may seem similar in terms of design and functionality, but the most common denominator among them is the operating system. Mac OS is present in the personal computer product lines, where iOS is optimized for the lines of mobile devices. The way in which Apple designs its products is to make them as convenient and easy-to-use as possible, each product fulfilling a number of needs outside of its main functionality.

     It is easy to look at the price of an Apple product as label it as a shopping product, simply because it is often more expensive than it's competitors. However, these prices are just as often justified by the amount of improvement on device specification without sacrificing the familiarity of the conveniently designed operating systems.

     Many of those who regularly use Apple products would rarely ever even consider purchasing a substitute. This may continue to become less likely as the use of cloud computing increases, with Apple products being able to now share files and documents across all devices under the same account. This creates a system in which the consumer inadvertently builds a commitment to the brand as they continue to expand their data over the "device network."

     Over the years, Apple's ads have evolved but have always maintained an image of quality mixed with "coolness." The Apple store is perhaps the greatest symbol of the company's emphasis on appearances. The stores are usually all white, elegant, and spacious, with a sense of grandeur and sophistication with a minimalist approach. Altogether, these factors make Apple's products visually enticing and physically desirable.

Chapter 17: Personal Selling and Sales Management

Apple Inc. usually does not run very many promotional ads, if any at all. This is simply because they usually do not have to. With the reputation they've established in the modern age among a wide demographic, why would they?

Promotional sales do have a positive effect on the amount of units, offering deals that include additional items is certainly tempting to the customer searching for the most cost-effective purchase. However, Apple does have their occasional promotional ad, like the exclusive college sale "Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod Touch." This promotion is put in effect from the months of May to the end of September, just in time for school. These school sales also include discounts for students as well as faculty members.

One way in which Apple chooses to promote sales is also in the way they operate their retail store locations. When shopping there, customers are not urged it pushed to buy any of the products by the store personnel. They are simply there to be consulted and make the customer feel welcome and informed before making a purchase. With a formal and family-friendly environment, Apple makes the sales by promoting customer consideration. 

Chapter 16: Advertising, Public Relations, and Sales Promotions

   Although Apple's modern advertisements take somewhat of a minimalist approach, they are good and plenty. It may seem that with such global presence and popularity that the company wouldn't need to advertise much. However, as much as they may not have to, they definitely still want to, and they do so in ways that appear subtle but still widely recognized. Apple uses its now unmistakable logo as the minimalist visual eye catcher, and is even difficult to replicate without audiences seeing it as a rip off of the famous bitten apple. So, even if it doesn't feel like we have Apple's shiny new toys being shoved in our face all the time, you can rest assure that they are always working diligently on ways to make it seem that way.

     Many simple slogans have been with just the apple logo, such as the "Think Different," ad previously posted, but those can be just as effective as some of the company's most seemingly creative ads, like the "Adam," ad in the 70's, or the more modern and colorful ads that feature the various colored models of the iPod and iPhone 5c. What is considered one of the greatest television advertisements in American history is actually the 1984 Superbowl Commercial.

     Filling its customers with a sense of style and coolness, Apple has been widely regarded as one of the best companies at advertising, even winning "Marketer of the Decade," in 2010, awarded by Advertising Age. This is no accident, and if one paid attention to most of the movies they watched in 2010, they may have actually noticed the product placement of Apple computers in blockbuster hits such as the Twilight movie adaptations, and the iconic television series Sex and the City. (Kinda the same way Sony was all over James Bond, if you paid attention to those too.)

Chapter 14: Marketing Channels and Retail

     The Apple retail store is home to the latest Apple technology, and each one offers an elegant setting with exceptional customer service and workshops. Usually a white interior, glass and marble exterior, spacious room, and all things Apple compose the Apples store. One can find the newest models of Apple Macintosh computers and all mobile devices, such as the iPod Touch 5th Generation, iPhone 5S, and iPad Air. The online store is also easy to navigate and features the latest company news and devices on the front page.
There are also many accessories for all Apple products within the store, ranging from screen protectors to earphones and even printers. One 5th Avenue, the Apple Store is open 24/7 all year long, being a convenient attraction for tourists who want to squeeze it into whatever time they left of sight-seeing. Like the products themselves, the store is just as masterfully designed to be sleek and modern.

     Customers who enter the Apple store regularly leave the store feeling satisfied the quality of service and ambiance of the environment. There are plenty of other locations as options to purchase Apple products, such as Target, Staples, or Walmart, but none could ever compare to the experience of entering through the glass doors of the Apple Store itself and witnessing firsthand the level of detail, elegance, grandeur, and sophistication.

Chapter 6: Consumer Decision Making

In order to have a better service and compete in the market it is necessary to know the behaviors and decision making process of consumers. To start with, there's need recognition. Electronics for the most part are (or its now better said were) luxuries because in time they've grown to be needs. Wants and needs are created by external stimuli given the example, of Apple products popularity and perceived superiority. The following stage is to knowing that consumers will look for information about the product. The information search can be external, internal, or both. When it comes to purchasing an Apple product the majority of consumers search for internal information like recommendations from previous experiences. Plus it goes without mention that Apple has been fortunate to have very loyal consumers, as soon as the next generation product comes out many people upgrade their iPhones. Additional to all this, external information also comes as market-controlled. Not only are Apple consumers loyal to them but they also view Apple as a trusted company. Apple has a great communication with their customers through their keynotes that make people feel informed about the product.

 

Following the consumers need for information its time to evaluate alternatives. Apple has an industry standard, specifically with their iProducts for example, someone wouldn't jump to say they want to "buy an MP3 player" they'll go straight into wanting an iPod this again has to do with Apple's ability to stand out. 

After evaluating alternatives it's time to purchase; because of Apple's standing people purchase a lot of their products! So much that their newest product the iPhone 5 broke all first day sales records. 

However, the company's product transaction doesn't stop at the purchase, the final stage of consumer decision making is post-purchase behavior, This entails how well the consumers expectations were met and determines how satisfied or dissatisfied with the their purchase. In Apple's case, it seems to go without saying that consumers are pretty satisfied with their Apple products since there's still a high demand for the same products. 

Chapter 5: Developing a Global Vision

Additional to emphasizing their marketing strategies, Apple has put ample effort into their international strategy. None other than their iPhone product has made itself a global player. A large portion of their revenue proceeds from regions outside America. This product has done increasingly good in markets abroad primarily because iPhones help Apple target price-sensitive developing markets; parts where the company may not have fully established a customer base thus being that newer versions of the iPhone are released much sooner in foreign markets. However, Apple's global vision is ambitious and not limited since Apple has been building its overseas presence with the use of Apple retail stores.

 It is important to expand their company overseas because it provokes a global demand and a large growth of promotion and revenue.

Chapter 4: The Marketing Environment

     Apple's company strategy possesses another advantage: their target market is not as limited as that of other companies. Although Apple products are costly and of course, there's a typical profile of an Apple product buyer which includes a person between the ages of 12-35, media and design drawn, and with a percentage of disposable income, Apple benefits from knowing people are willing to sacrifice on luxury items especially those that come with an impression such as the one Apple products build on. Apple seeks to target everyone, though more so wanting to appeal to the "individual" and their creative side. Which sets the Apple as a maniable company that can adapt to the wants and lifestyles of people today.

Chapter 3: Ethics & Social Responsibility

   
     The company's image doesn't lie solely on a bitten apple logo or "iPod People Silhouettes". Past having a marketing game plan, Apple had a reputation to hold and knew exactly how to address ethical issues and consumer concerns.Their official site contains several pages including information on Apple's "environmental footprint, from manufacturing to transportation to product use and recyclability" plus PDF files on their supplier responsibility and Code of Conduct for companies they do business with. Providing this information expresses how well branded the company is and promotes the people's impression that Apple is "sleek", "clean" and forward thinking.

Chapter 2: Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage

                 A marketing plan is essential to a company's strategic planning. Aiming to make the company stand out, Steve Jobs and the Apple company's marketing plan proceeded to sport an image that was superior and "cooler" than the rest of their competition. Their campaign was designed to be descriptive on what their products are and how they are unique in comparison to the rest. The shed a spotlight on their better hardware, software, better operating system, and better support plus Macs compatibility to run Windows and Windows applications. In other words, straight to the point; this scheme garnered the people's trust and think of them as such an outstanding company. Now, Apple didn't just mention how great they were, they made themselves appealing to the people with the use of their super cool and memorable "ipod People Silhouettes" that were shown in just about any place people could notice.

Chapter 1: Brief History and Mission Statement

     Apple Inc. is known around the world for it's products in mobile and cellular technology, the iPhone being its flagship device in cellular communications. It is one of the largest information technology, second only to Samsung, as well as the third largest mobile phone maker behind Nokia and Samsung. Since it's founding on April 1, 1976, Apple Inc. has developed several products, such as the Mac Computer, the iPod music player, iPhone mobile smartphone, and the iPad tablet, all among the most popular of product lines. Today, it is the largest publicly traded corporation, by market capitalization, in the world.

     Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, friends at the time, both had an aspiring interest in electronics and eventually their minds gave fruition to the Apple I. Steve Jobs, having been the more business oriented of the two, as well as a visionary in nature, came up with the idea to make their design into a product and sell it. They and their colleague, Ronald Wayne, would later found Apple Computer together on the foundation that was the Apple I personal computer kit. Later on around 1977, the company began to gain momentum after introducing the Apple II, which included the impressive feature of color graphics. The company is still known today for its innovation and setting the standards for personal computers. Throughout the years their mottoes and slogans have changed, but not much. They have managed to remain along the lines of thinking outside the box - innovation.

“Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.”