If you know me, you know that I heart Apple more than any other brand. After expressing the sheer joy I have in being able to purchase my iPad soon, a friend of mine questioned my (and other Macheads) loyalty to Mr. Jobs.  Later during the exchange, he says “If you’re willing to just buy EVERYTHING Apple, then Mr Jobs has done his job”.

EXACTLY, That’s what innovative design and targeted consumer marketing is for!

Absolutely Mr. Jobs has done his job well, as expected. That’s why we as brand marketing professionals get paid to do what we do every day….create innovative and differentiated products/services that shape consumer perception, enhance their experience and ultimately influence their behavior. We thereby maintain loyalty among our repeat buyers/visitors and establish positive brand awareness among those who are not.

Apple does just that and they do it very well. People scoffed at the idea of iTunes and digital downloads with the iPod. Apple revolutionized the music industry by redefining distribution and changed how consumers purchased and stored it. Not to mention the rockin’ marketing campaign that accompanied the product launch that captivated folks and made them say, ‘hey that’s cool, I want that!’ Brand marketing at it’s best!

Apple probably saved the music industry to a certain degree, or at the least stopped the hemorrhaging. They could very well do the same for the print media with the iPad, changing how consumers engage with newsprint and magazines, a troubled medium at best. Sure you have your Kindles and your Nooks. But from a UI design perspective…. they somewhat lack the sexy sizzle that consumers are accustomed to having. Not to mention all the other features of the iPad from gaming to web browsing; it, in my opinion, is a far superior product. But then again, I am biased.

So as a brand loyalist and tech geek, I applaud the iPad and will be one of the first to cop one! Thank you Steve, keep on keepin’ on!!”