Apple does a lot of things well. The brand has become known for setting and raising the bar for consumer technology over the past few decades. Not only does Apple know how to build a great product, but they’re pretty great at selling it too. In light of the recent news that Steve Jobs is stepping down as CEO of Apple Inc, I thought a look-back at some of the brand’s best TV ads was in order.
Apple Introduces MacIntosh To The World
Eight years after Apple was founded, MacIntosh was introduced to the world with this ad. While I grew up in an IBM household during the ’80’s, I have fond memories of playing “Oregon Trail” and “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” on the Apple 2E’s at school. This ad may have been seen as the ultimate oversell, had Apple not gone on to become what it is today, but the brand called it's shot and then lived up to it.
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Mac vs. PC
What better way to let computer users in on what Mac has over PC than by humanizing the two platforms. John Hodgman portrayed the PC, and was usually politely but amusingly knocked down a peg or two by Justin Long as the Mac. These ads were great, not only because they were funny but they also broke down some of the misconceptions about Macs, and let people know what they had to offer over PCs.
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She’s a Rainbow
For a while, Apple’s been a cut above many other brands when it comes to the look of their products. This ad showcased the colorful new iMacs by using the Rolling Stone’s song “She’s a Rainbow” and focusing on the design and the variety of colors the computers came in. It was more or less a "Look how pretty they are!" tactic, but... they were pretty.
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Technologic
Once again, going with a simple approach, these iPod ads were much like the iPod itself, in that they looked good, they sounded good and they made you want to dance.
Leaping Forward
What's great about this iPad 2 commercial is that, while it gives us a look at the capabilities of the newer iPad, it also captures part of what makes Apple so great as a brand. It’s selling Apple and Apple’s contribution to technology as much as it’s selling the iPad 2.
“When technology gets out of the way, everything becomes more delightful. Even magical. That’s when you leap forward...”
Think Different
This Apple ad, which aired during the late ’90’s, speaks for itself... ?
? Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
