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
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