Integrated Marketing Communications and the iPod

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) is all about having all communications, all marketing have a consistent message. Apple computer has gotten major kudos for the iPod (whether the original, nano or shuffle).
Do a little research. Go to the Apple iPod website, try  to find an iPod ad (in print or television), and examine any PR Apple has gotten about the iPod. Examine the product and the packaging.


•What is the message that one gets from all these elements?
        I researched about iPod print ads. We all know that iPod is famous for its print ads most of it, if not all,  show a silhouette of a person  (against a bright colored background) who seems to be  "grooving to the music" while listening to a white colored iPod.


        In my opinion, the silhouette symbolizes that iPod is for a person of any race, age, or sex. The simplicity of the ad wished to convey  that it is not a complicated gadget and is therefore user friendly. The silhouette that appears to be on the move tells us that iPod can make you dance, move, groove and express yourself.


         As regards its packaging, an iPod looks very simple yet elegant. It's only design is the Apple logo  displayed on the back of all of its products be it iPods, iPhones, Macbooks and laptops, iPads, etc.. Sheer simplicity! But for those who want their iPods or other Apple gadgets to look a little more creative, Apple stores have a long range of cases and skins to choose from.


•Why did it become more successful over other mp3 players?
 -       In my opinion, the iPod owes its big success to its ads, especially on the print ads. Nowadays, when people see an ad of a silhouette, dancing on a bright colored background, they automatically think of iPod, even without seeing the iPod sign.


•In your opinion, has apple followed an IMC strategy? And not just for the iPod but also the entire company?
-       IMC strategy is all about having a consistent message. For me, iPod did just that. Their  message which is "I look simple yet elegant. I'm not a complicated gadget, " is seen in the iPods, iPhones, Macbooks and laptops, and even in the iPads. Apple has truly proven to the advertising world that a great ad, may it be print or television, can skyrocket a product to the top.