Apple: the icon of innovation and design. I find it absolutely amazing to see how the company has built its brand and within the past decade, have made their way into consumers’ hearts. The sheer volume of word-of-mouth marketing from consumers alone greatly affects the way the products and company is perceived. As Robyn mentioned, social media and other platforms give way to an immense amount of indirect marketing for Apple. I rarely ever have the time to watch television or catch up on the news, but I came to learn about the new IPhone launch and the IOS5 through Facebook!

One day, I open my browser, and in every other post, there was some comment about the new phone and its new operating system. I found myself forming my opinions on the new product based on what others were saying about it. Then I realized, yup, it was true: it is much more important what people around you say about the product than what the company itself or the media says. No wonder marketing emphasizes creating value and satisfying consumers so strongly!

It also further astonishes me how much Apple has become a part of our everyday lives. Immediately upon the news release of Steve Job’s death, my Facebook wall was flooded will condolences and praises about how brilliant of a man Steve was.

Our products have become so highly integrated into our everyday lives that we have begin to generate actual feelings towards the product and company. I myself felt a pang of sadness when I heard the news! Technology has allowed for greater publicity than ever before imaginable. Marketing is evident in every part of our lives, and whether we like it or not, there’s no escaping it.