Month: February 2011

Today, Feb 24th, Steve Jobs just turned 56. Yesterday, a bunch of computing students from Imperial College London created the website at happybirthdaystevejobs.com aims to collect publicly shared birthday wishes ahead of the billionaire’s fifty-sixth birthday. It’s also a way to support Steve “while he is currently dealing with serious health issues.” Urma, the creator of the website writes.

After Jobs’ announce of an indefinite medical leave of absence, many people, such as the fans of Steve and the shareholders of Apple, are very concerned about the future of Apple. Steve Jobs is the biggest face of Apple. How much of the Apple brand equity is Steve Jobs? Is the brand at risk with Jobs’ new medical leave? When a major brand is closely tied to a single person brand value can rise and fall on the fortunes and failures of that person.

Steve Jobs is an iconic figure in technology and culture. When he holds up a gadget at any event, everyone oohs and aahs. When he stands before industry conferences, holds up a gadget and says, “this is cool,” whatever it is becomes cool. The Apple brand is known for design, but it is also known for the guy who invented the PC as we know it in his garage. Customers are willing to pay higher price for iphone, ipad etc, because they are products of Apple, products of Steve Jobs. Without him, Apple can still succeed and can still be cool, but it might hard to replicate Jobs’ huge success.

Steve Jobs is not just the Co-founder, marketer of Apple. He, himself, is a product, and much much more.

“Product Design + Perfection + Marketer + Visionary + Charisma + In famous Anger = Steve Jobs. ” A blogger writes.

Again, happy birthday, Steve Jobs! Can’t wait for another keynote.

sources:

www.happybirthdaystevejobs.com

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110218/steve-jobs-health-apple-110218/20110218/?hub=CalgaryHome

http://www.b2cmarketinginsider.com/mobile-apps/steve-jobs-and-apple’s-future-brand-value-010321

What’s Google? The biggest search engine in the world? No, google isn’t just a search engine now.

First started selling the ultra-popular Android smart phone, then providing the hit low-cost calling service, Google voice. Now the search company is trying its hand at becoming a phone carrier.

Never afraid to push the envelope, Google been moving in that direction for years. Google increase  its product lines to capture new or evolving markets, increase sales, and compete in new venues. Google noticed that the search engine industry is quite mature. If the company wanted to have a new  breakthrough, it needed to start branching out to other services.

Google chose to launch into the technology field, which is not surprising at all. Because Google has already established a strong brand image to customer that Google is at the top of that field. Hence, people who are already familiar with Google will be willing to try the new products. Just like  this comment on the site states : “well…I am not surprised at all cos Google can!” Let Google push boundariesto see what’s possible.

source: http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/30/technology/google_wireless_carrier/index.htm

“I love this store!” , “I have four words! The best store ever!” These are what  you will most likely receive when you ask youthful shoppers’ opinion about Aritzia in downtown Vancouver.

The comments about Aritzia might be a bit over the top, but many retail industry observers are equally enthusiastic about the privately held, family-owned company that caters to adolescents and women aged 14 to 30.  How did the company rise above the fashion crowd? One of the great contributors to Aritzia’s success is that the company has influenced many customers’ attitude toward the brand.

As David Gray, president of, a retail information and strategy company, stated ” There were people all bending over backwards to get Aritzia into their malls. They’re Canadian and they’re different.” Aritzia was borne of a family with a retail legacy in Vancouver. Aritzia made good use of its history background by educating customers its uniqueness: Made in Canada. The company created an emotional bond with Canadian customers. It successfully conveyed the message: buying products from the company is the way of supporting the Canadian fashion industry, just like it stated in the campaign: ” Support your local industry.”

In addition, as you will notice when you shop in Aritzia stores, salespeople all dress like very fashionable and chic. Employees were encouraged to wear the latest store apparel, serving as living mannequins, thus made customers believe in that “Any girl who work or shop here definitely has style!” says one young shopper.

Influencing cognitive and affective component of customer’s attitude, Ariztia became one of the most competitive retail store in Canada.

source: http://www.retaileducation.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=61