Executive Summary Sime Final
Content
Executive Summary
The assignment is about iPhone innovation in the light of integrated marketing communication COSTAC framework plan for one year duration. First of all we will introduce the Apple Inc., then iphone innovation and diffusion. In the COSTAC framework we will state the current strategy of Apple about iphone, i-e the context analysis, objectives and SMART (SMART will be discussed within the objectives of o f the Apple, marcoms strategies and tactics (so marcoms mix, media, message are the elements of tactics, but we will be discussed them in the light of full, push and profile strageties). After that we will come to the say about the current innovation of iphone i-e iphone4 and define that, how the Apple can promote the iphone4 in the market? What should be required? Who will buy this product? On the base of secondary data we will try that what are the successful and unsuccessful factors of Apple strategy. In action we will say about the current budget of Apple for applying of marcoms stragety and tactics. In last we will write about the control and monitoring mo nitoring of current Apple staff.
INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATION:
Apple is a U.S company, that produces consumer electronics and computer software products. The company best known hardware products include the Macintosh computers, the iPod and the iPhone. Apple Apple software includes includes the Mac
OS X operating system, system, iTunes media browser, browser, the
iLife suite of multimedia software and the creativity.The company operates more than 250 branches in nine countries and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. SHORT INTRODUCTION:
Founded
Cupertino, California, California, United States of America (April 1, 1976) such as Apple Computer, Inc.
Founder(s)
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne
Headquarters:
Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, California, USA
Public type
NASDAQ: AAPL, LSE: 0HDZ, FWB: APC
No: of Locations:
251 (Q1 FY 2009)
Area are:
Worldwide, United States, Britain, Canada, Japan, Australia, India, Italy, Germany and China.
Industry:
Computer Hardware, Computer software Consumer Electronics, Digital Digital Distribution.
Products: Mac (Pro, iMac Mini Mini MacBook, Air, Pro Xserve) Xserve) iPhone, iPod (Shuffle, Nan, Classic, Touch) Apple TV, Cinema Display, AirPort, Time Capsule Mac OS X (Server iPhone OS), iLife, iWork
Profit :
£ 2.22 billion billion in 2010
Website:
Apple.com
(www.wikipedia.com)
INTRODUCTION TO IPHONE INNVATIONS AND DIFFUSION
A distinction is typically made between invention, an idea made manifest, and innovation, ideas applied successfully (Mckeowm 2008). Apple launched iphone in January 2007. The original 2.5G iPhone combined with a quad-band GSM and EDGE mobile phone with features hand-held Device found, runs a stripped down version of Apple's Mac OS X (iPhone OS), and with different Mac OS X applications like Safari and Mail. It also contains web-based and dashboard applications like Google Maps and Weather. The iPhone has a 3.5-inch (89 mm) touch-screen display, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. On 5th February 2008, Apple updated the original iPhone from 4 GB to 8 GB models and 16 GB of memory. On 9 June 2008, at WWDC 2008 announced that Steve Jobs the iPhone 3G would be Available on 11 in July, 2008. This version adds support for 3G networks, Assisted-GPS navigation. The price cut to £ 130.55 for 8GB version and £ 196.15 for 16GB version, which was in black and white . On 24 April 2009 exceeded the one billion App Store downloads. At 8 Jun 2010 Apple launched iPhone 4. Apple has detailed the new version
of
the
iPhone
4,
announced
at
www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/...iphone -4-release-date /1
24th
June
2010.
Diffusion of innovations
The iphone diffusion-curve derives from an assumption that new product e.g. iphone4 is likely to have "product life", i.e. a start-up phase, a rapid increase in revenue and eventual decline. In fact the great majority of innovations never gets off the bottom of the curve, and never produces normal returns. The Apple will typically be working on new innovations that will ultimately replace older ones. Successive diffusion -curves will come along to replace older ones and continue to drive growth upwards. In the figure above the first curve shows a current technology. The second shows an emerging technology that current yields lower growth but will eventually overtake current technology and lead to even greater levels of growth. The length of life depends on many factors which we d iscussed later. Apple¶s popular buzz marketing expertise for revolutionary products such as iPod, iPod Nano and iPod Touch should be directed towards communicating the dynamic smartphone. (CAE Weblog: Apple iPhone Promotion, n.d.) COSTAC Model:
This model provides a useful framework for illustrating Marketing communication plans. Apple launching of iphone in UK faced a lot of problems in the competitive market. COSTAC is the combination of: C = Context analysis, O = Objective Setting, S = Strategy development, T = Tactical, A = Action and C = Control
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
This analysis helps to Apple for better understanding of its environment and provides a sound basis for establishing communication objectives. In the light of following elements of context analysis we can introduce t he current position of Apple and iphone. 1.Business context
Apple concentrated over the trading condition. Considering the vast explosion of iPhones in such a short period, it is natural that all of those who want an iPhone would expand its use to business as well own. And there is no joy to carry around a Blackberry and iPhone, either in the pocket. All this does is extra pressure on the belt. It's no wonder that the iPhone's usability in a business context is a raging debate now. This is still a secondary question, because the fact remains that present and future users demands for iPhone, for business use. 2. Customer context
Apple is judging the consumer behavior and consumer decision making for iphone in the market. o
Buyer
or consumer behavior.
The consumer behavior display in searching for, purchasing, using, evaluating, and disposing of products and services that they expect to satisfy their needs. iPhone "phenomenon" than perhaps any other single piece of technology. It might seem like another blog would be just another one on the mound. But the iPhone is a perfect example of technology that its mark on consumer behavior. A recent article in the LA Times discusses the overwhelming accessibility of information for iPhone users. The article examines in particular possibility that this access could become a social responsibility - the phone can "change in seconds, a light-hearted entertainment in the pursuit of truth." o
Consumer decision-making processes
The ability to see what the consumer trusts about something to think before he is paying money. That is the most powerful aspect of iPhone. A student aims from the Atlanta area, and says the phone is a "great opportunity for people has opened to check on a particular product, be it a pair of jeans, a computer or car, with her colleagues(Jared Kelley-Hudgins). Jared thinks he's the new iPhone, especially for the anticipated 3G feature, which would, if introduced to the Internet access outside of Wi-Fi networks up to 10 times faster than speed EDGE networks. So considering the technological quality, speed, appearance (iphone is a consistent band and simple instruction to use), safety (because iphone has updated equipments for any official, entertainment, printing etc use), value and loyalty( it is a professional device, low price than value, and best service ability, i-e 97% people are happy to use the iphone). 3.
Internal context
Apple¶s commitment to internal
quality
improvement programs would build high customer
equity in terms of value, brand and relationship. Management understands the customer¶s value creation process to provide and deliver customer value. So for this purpose Apple use Online Store team, Online Service Assistant,Online help forums, Phone Support( Customer service phone numbers main headquarters± stored in iPhone¶s phonebook), Email & Chat Support, Face -to-Face Contact, Customer Involvement, Customer Appreciation. (Apple ± Support ± Contact Apple Support, 2009) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2009)
Marketing functions / departments and their activities coordinated for vertical integration and holistic marketing management. The iPhone work product development and internal / external relations management. The iphone team concerned with Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, designers, hardware engineers, software engineers, product managers and business development manager. So they are communicating messages to influence the way in which they deal and respond to external audiences.
4.
External context
The factors affect over the Apple marketing communication activities are: y
y
Political situation. Taxation is something that government of UK over Apple from expected profit, and pricing strategy. The important laws in the world is GATT in favor of trade. Economic factors
The real world economic growth is in need of a major recession also affected UK economy, that affected Apple market already. So the Apple cares in the process of editing in market is declining, but it is higher than any other in the telecom sector. The exchange rate fluctuation is also
harmful for Apple. y
Social factors.
The "Start social brand community networking and the provision of communications for the scope of the professional routine and quality of life, i-e blogging, micro-blogging, photo-sharing, web-journalism, network gaming, etc. which are t he characteristics of iphone. (Millennial Marketing: Jello & Betty Crocker get iPhone A pps: Who¶s next?, n.d.) y
Technological factors.
The real challenges for iphone are the state of the art in the real world, the level of awareness and Internet usage for the individual and industrial aspect of the world are rising.
Landlines performance and
development efforts, new technologies in mobile phones are increasing. But Apple planned everything in iphone i-e the future plans for the technological link between cities, universities, hospitals and other institutions are increasing and can be connected to mobile phones. The level of using e-technology (online bidding, billing, complaints, blogging etc) is high and trendy. Significant developments in the
mobile market (3G Handsets reality and advanced features for the customer) is the multimedia download market push into new areas and opens up great opportunities for Apple iphone¶s. y
Legal factors:
Questions of copyright and illegal downloading large influence on Apple download industry and are a major problem for active service operators. A former lack of laws in this area, the consumer away from commercial download services and in response to these new technologies were introduced to prevent the protection of copyright owners and that customers download and share files illegally promoted. Digital Rights Management (DRM) was created to have the number of copies that can be made from a download, and are indeed the control of this industry, there are many positive aspects to it so many negative DRM for t he consumer. y
Environmental factors .
As part of the green revolution, green applications designed, the customers with creative solutions (green tips) for a green and healthy living. e.g. advises them to "Compost PET-waste," or "no water the Sidewalk", etc.
The second thing is global
concern of the Global Warming issue & other pollution causes concerning the packaging material and radiation of the cell phones (Annex 1.1 iPhone Application Green)
5. Stakeholder context .
It is very importat to understand the issues surrounding the range of stakeholders to be communicated. But Apple does not concentrate over Investors, Financial institutions, Trade associations, Government role regulations, pressure groups. The article says ³We all love Apple with its modern and innovative products but some recent news about the lack of stakeholder feedback and irresponsible business practices are making me wonder whether Apple is not willing to listen and act anymore with regards to Sustainability and CSR? These two recent articles raise big question marks about the way Apple is conducting its business and whether to buy Apple products in the future. (http://www.fabianpattberg.com/tag/stakeholders )
SMART OBJECTIVES OF IPHONE The objectives of Apple in order to achieve its goals. The objectives can show the clear path towards the target. Although this concept is not new, but people still confuse it with other concepts such as objective, strategy etc. The term SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely bound, to clearly define the long-term objectives. The Apple marketing objectives were to make an aggressive buy achievable objective for the first and second years of the market: 1st year Objectives - Apple presented a 2% shares of UK mobile phone market with the aim of testing by individual sales volume. 2nd year objectives ± To increase shares to10 percent. Addition to Apple's image of innovation, quality and value, so the iphone4 is a suitable sulotion. Measure the awareness and response in order to make adjustments to marketing campaigns as necessary for iphon4. Extension to the Apple brand and link to the established meaningful positioning. Target Market:
Differentiate the other PDA's iPhone4 on the market. The primary objective of the customer: That the average incomes of the top professional of their busy schedules to coordinate and communicate with Colleagues, friends and family. Secondary objectives are consumer high school, college and graduate students who need a portable multifunction device. Primary objective is business partnership with: Large mobile phone pro vider O2, ORANGE, VODAFONE. Large enterprise software companies, where information is critical to the ultimate consumer.
Secondary business objective is medium to medium-sized businesses that help managers and employees to stay in communication or access to the critical data customers want to go. The current Market segment of all telecom companies annual sales are from £6,54 £32,000,000 .
Segmentation :
y
Demographic Variables for iPhone 4: Intellectual users with purchasing. o
AGE
Young users (16yrs-25yrs), Middle aged users o
INCOME
High income y
OCCUPATION
Professionals, Corporate users/entrepreneurs, Medical users and Students (Launching iPhone: Apple¶s entry into the Mobile Phone Market |Marketing Case Studies|, n.d.)
POSITIONING
With the using of product differentiation, positioning, iPhone4 will be adaptable, practical, value-added equipment for personal and professional use. It will focus on the expediency of having a full device for communication, but also pictures, music, video, and Internet access. The iPhone4 will be encouraged as a profession and stylish.
Positioning: Designing the competitive advantage The competitors of iphone4 in UK are Sony Ericcson, Nokia and Blackberry after having been sorted through the pro spective differentiation points iPhone¶s Prospective Differentiation Points Product differentiation (Kotler & Armstrong, 2002, p. 270,271) y
y
U nique S elling P roposition (USP) ± Multi-touch screen P romotional f eatures: Larger, removable disk storage capacity ± USB support, digital
camera memory cards, external hard dr ives, Light weight and thin body, Easily replaceable long life battery (twice the usual time), High definition camera, 4G wirelesses
± even faster, more incredible speeds than ever offered on this sort of device. This will leapfrog the competition. (iPhone features, 2010) Image differentiation y
A pple
brandname:
Iconic Apple image used to capitalize on iPhone brand Apple logo emblazoned on the packaging and body of the phone and software and design by Apple. (Apple launches iPhone at Macworld-CRAVE at CNET UK, 2009) Channel differentiation y
Exclusive 2
y
O
distri bution:
,Orange, Vodafone.
Service differentiation y
A pple¶s
³work hard play hard´ i P hone team
Handling sales, troubleshooting, updates announcements, maintenance, etc. (Apple Computer-Company Profile of Apple Computer ± Getting a job at Apple, 2009)
F rom the past e x perien ce o f iphone status: T he market share was 10% in the U.K. smartphone market over a
course
o f t wo years .
So the objective of iphone4 for UK will be: A large consumer shares of several sub-markets could be conquered for the first Apple-timer in the mobile phone market.
It
would
be
for
the
needs
and
desires
of
the
targeted
customers.
Capturing multiple market segments through a single marketing strategy would save the cost of customized marketing and preferential terms for individual segments. T o satis f y the needs and wants o f smartphone customers and guarantee satis f action through
value delivery.
It would provide a market breakdown to identify potential smartphone users. T o manage a success f ul, f ocused launch without budgetary wastages .
It would help sort out consumer groups of interest from broad segments of various age-income combinations of the cellular phones market. Hence, limits wastage of resources.
(Kotler & Armstrong,2002, p.246). The SMART criteria should not only to the general communication strategy, but also to the setting of targets in the promotional mix. This means that enables the SMART principle, these objectives are set for advertising, sales promotion, personal selling, public relations and direct marketing.
Strategy Development and TACTICS of Apple: The Apple will focus this part of the communication process, to examine the strategy and communicate the right balance between the need of consumers, traders and other stakeholders. There are three approaches that Apple can use as a basis for their communication strategies and these are generally regarded as the 3Ps of marketing communication.
Pull communication strategies as a
B2C
strategy:
Apple will create advertising and sales promotion activities to the end users or buyers in an attempt to provide iphone4 from the agents to consumers; in turn they will demand the product directly from the Apple and thus pull the iphone4 by the channel demand. The advertising objective is to create a rule and to maintain heightened awareness to build attitudes and provoke motivation within the group of buyers. Pull strategies encourage the end-users to demand the product from the distributors, thereby pulling the produ ct through the distribution network.
(K ate W alsh N otes )
Iphone is advertising through Television Commercials (TVCs), Celebrity testimonials. Billboards and banners: Malls: visited by the youth, Office buildings for corporate users, Underground Metro stations for corporate users and youth. Online Podcasts: YouTube is a platform for successful advertising. iphone also use marketing blogs, etc. Sales promotion: 2,
Apple Joint tariffs through O Vodafone and Orange to optimize costs for consumer.
y
Price cuts under market skimming strategy .
(iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2010)
Push communication strategies as a
B2B
strategy:
The Apple uses these promotional activities or messages to the channel intermediaries (commercial channels), as distributors, wholesalers, agents, distributors and retailers, which in turn pass on such promotional activities are targeted for the end users e.g. you can buy iphone4 from carphone warehouse with the connection of O2, Vodafone and Orange. (http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone4) 2,
The O Vodafone and Orange are distributors for iphone. They offer the following packages. Orage give Free iPhone 16GB on a 24 month contract, you have to fork out £ 75 per month.
Vodafone iPhone is not officially her 4 tariffs, but the rumors of an iPhone on Vodafone 4 costs from
£
35
per
month
with
the
16GB
phone
costs
89
pounds
released.
IPhone O 2 from 4 data packets and go up to 500MB 1GB, which should be more than enough for most people. Look under 24 months of comparison iPhone £ 25 month you get 100 minutes at 500MB, the level increased to £ 60, if you think you need 1GB. (http://www.simplyfreeiphone.co.uk/news.html)
(K ate W alsh notes )
A push often uses mainly promotional mix too ls i-e: Personal selling, as in business to business marketing. The personal selling may focus initially on developing a relationship with a prospective buyer, but ultimately, always trying to "close the sale to end." It is an effective way to manage personal customer relationships. Ttrade advertising is using encourage wholesalers and retailers and motivate them to purchase
its products for resale to their ultimate customers. Trade advertising usually appears in publications that serve the particular industry e.g. the Apple give grants to the distribution channel in UK, to give free iphone with their package i-e given in the following image.
Sales promotion techniques such as discount for bulk orders, dealer competitions for the best sales figures and so on. Hence for the sales promotion iphone Joint tariffs with the folloing connection available at UK to optimize costs for consumer.
(http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs ) If Apple Inc. uses both the pull and push strategy in their communication with the business men and direct to the customers for iphone4 and provide accessibility to customers with other connection, upgrade facility etc, then the product will be promote very well. And iphone4 will be like the king position in the market.
PROFILE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
The Apple can be used this strategy to create a positive public image of iphone4 in the minds of parties. The task or objective is to provide a suitable project corporate identity, to build and maintain a solid reputation for iphone4.
Marketing communications tools used in profile strategies include mostly: Public relations: Apple will generate public relation techniques such as press releases, press conferences, facility 2
visits etc, to provide the test units to O , Vodafone And Orange and high end subscription. (Entrepreneurs, IT professionals, etc). Creative method "Spread the Word" competition with consumers. Apple signed contract for free Wi-Fi to public. And for customer attraction has done customer Appreciation Day for every 6 months. Sponsorship: It is a community based projects such as Tesco¶s computers for schools initiative.
A pple
exclusively is sponsoring is about 15,000 Subscribers up to 66% from last year opportunity to weekly e-newsletter. But due the innovative product (iphone4) the responsibility of Apple is more than before, because the phone is new and it want promotion in the market, for this purpose Apple will Sponsoring for target consumers in specific exhibitions, function, etc for which consumers take keen interest.
The Apple use tactics for customer attraction. The customer is elevating from different sources to create differentiation by competitors and delivering the goods with value added service message or an application. PR Blogs - Opinion & Specialized Pre-Launch Strategy Sneak Peaks sites on R & D Info Buzz & Viral Marketing Apple.com Printed media launch strategy TV Outdoor Media Social Media Advertising Carrier Handeld Apple.com Post launch strategy Independent review sites Online Ads Digital Campaigning Paind Digital Marketing Strategy Break Up Email Marketing Social Media Display Ads Advertising Blogs Access to care Hosting iPhone Apps iPhone apps iTunes Purchase section for free as you can see, you can watch Apple has almost all digital channels in 2007 to 2010, and makes economic sense used in order for the hosting to use their communicative message consumers and target audience. ACTION Action means applying the organization¶s marketing communication strategies and tactics so
that organizational communication objectives can be achieved. For this purpose the basic activity i-e to set the marketing communications budget.
The Apple break-even analysis assumes the wholesale sales of £ 328.34 per unit, variable cost of £ 164.17 per unit and fixed costs est of £ 32,830,000. Based on these assumptions, the break-even calculation is 32,830,000 pound divided by (£ 328.34 - £ 164.17) equal 202,000 units sold.
Break-even calculations show that Apple will exceed the sales volume for profitable 202k. After the first year, Apple is a profit of 1.25
billion billion minus 32.83 million
fixed.
Recommended
costs. price
is
£
229.84.
The
markup
is
40
percent.
It is predicted that sales will increase by at least 60 percent from this change, which will reduce the impact of fixed costs and to improve opportunities for our production scale, increase, further Improvement in profits in the long t erm. So the iphone4 is the innovative product of apple, so in the early stage that is shown in the following diagram.
(Kate Walsh notes) The "innovators " (those who adopt new products first) are usually relatively young, active, intelligent, socially and geographically mobile. It follows from the above model, the apple is launching iphone4, the customers who are buying first, the expected differ significantly from those who buy the product, much later. This must be considered in the development of the marketing mix. Innovators are the first to adopt and show a behavior that they want to remain likely demonstrated and the first to own iphone4 are far from the average consumers. They are often not taken seriously by their colleagues. So to bring awareness in the customer the Apple will use marcoms approaches for high involvement. i-e
(Kate Walsh notes)
CONTROL
Once the marketing plan begins to be implemented, the manager is monitoring and control that what is going on? Monitoring means, to check that everything in schedule. Control means corrective measures as soon as possible if things do not work as planned. (Kotler & Armstrong, 2002). The Apple team will used the following methods for control the marketing communications. Sale control: the team will test that whether actual sales match the organization¶s sales objectives. It means place, so they will target the big cities and focus over youngsters crowd areas e.g. Universities, Colleges and Pubes etc. Profitability control : the team will manage that the profit which the organization gains from investment, is profitable or losable or equal. This involves determining whether actual profits match the organization¶s profit objectives.
Brand
awareness control :
Apple is known for cool gadgets like the iPods along great
technological importance of innovation known as the iphone.
(Apple.com 2009, 2010) Brand awareness will be an important tool in taking the Apple brand from "social cool" to "business cool". Benchmarking: Apple has received in the supply chain performance and is on the top of the benchmark list. With the start of each new product until iPhone 3G versions, Apple has mastered in the execution of product delivery, which seems to be a major obstacle for its competitors. Source: (www.amrresearch.com) The contribution that evaluation research can the resilience of individuals, to make families and communities as evaluation factors become conversant on expanded programs and program contexts. The contribution that can make programs for their communities, the program is that more professionals use insights and strengthened the "lessons learned" that come from evaluation research. Customer evaluation and attitude towards Apple would flourish positively and they would want to distinguish themselves with iPhone4. (Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Satisfaction, and Market Value ± Insightory, 2010)
References (www.wikipedia.com). www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/...iphone -4-release-date /1 (CAE Weblog: Apple iPhone Promotion, n.d.). (Jared Kelley-Hudgins). (Apple ± Support ± Contact Apple Support, 2009) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2009) (Millennial Marketing: Jello & Betty Crocker get iPhone A pps: Who¶s next?, n.d.) (Annex 1.1 iPhone Application Green) (http://www.fabianpattberg.com/tag/stakeholders )
Kotler & Armstrong, 2002 (Apple launches iPhone at Macworld-CRAVE at CNET UK, 2009) (Apple Computer-Company Profile of Apple Computer ± Getting a job at Apple, 2009) (Kate Walsh Notes) http://www.simplyfreeiphone.co.uk/news.html (http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs ) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2010) (Apple.com 2009, 2010) (www.amrresearch.com) (Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Satisfaction, and Market Value ± Insightory, 2010)
The assignment is about iPhone innovation in the light of integrated marketing communication COSTAC framework plan for one year duration. First of all we will introduce the Apple Inc., then iphone innovation and diffusion. In the COSTAC framework we will state the current strategy of Apple about iphone, i-e the context analysis, objectives and SMART (SMART will be discussed within the objectives of o f the Apple, marcoms strategies and tactics (so marcoms mix, media, message are the elements of tactics, but we will be discussed them in the light of full, push and profile strageties). After that we will come to the say about the current innovation of iphone i-e iphone4 and define that, how the Apple can promote the iphone4 in the market? What should be required? Who will buy this product? On the base of secondary data we will try that what are the successful and unsuccessful factors of Apple strategy. In action we will say about the current budget of Apple for applying of marcoms stragety and tactics. In last we will write about the control and monitoring mo nitoring of current Apple staff.
INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATION:
Apple is a U.S company, that produces consumer electronics and computer software products. The company best known hardware products include the Macintosh computers, the iPod and the iPhone. Apple Apple software includes includes the Mac
OS X operating system, system, iTunes media browser, browser, the
iLife suite of multimedia software and the creativity.The company operates more than 250 branches in nine countries and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. SHORT INTRODUCTION:
Founded
Cupertino, California, California, United States of America (April 1, 1976) such as Apple Computer, Inc.
Founder(s)
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne
Headquarters:
Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, California, USA
Public type
NASDAQ: AAPL, LSE: 0HDZ, FWB: APC
No: of Locations:
251 (Q1 FY 2009)
Area are:
Worldwide, United States, Britain, Canada, Japan, Australia, India, Italy, Germany and China.
Industry:
Computer Hardware, Computer software Consumer Electronics, Digital Digital Distribution.
Products: Mac (Pro, iMac Mini Mini MacBook, Air, Pro Xserve) Xserve) iPhone, iPod (Shuffle, Nan, Classic, Touch) Apple TV, Cinema Display, AirPort, Time Capsule Mac OS X (Server iPhone OS), iLife, iWork
Profit :
£ 2.22 billion billion in 2010
Website:
Apple.com
(www.wikipedia.com)
INTRODUCTION TO IPHONE INNVATIONS AND DIFFUSION
A distinction is typically made between invention, an idea made manifest, and innovation, ideas applied successfully (Mckeowm 2008). Apple launched iphone in January 2007. The original 2.5G iPhone combined with a quad-band GSM and EDGE mobile phone with features hand-held Device found, runs a stripped down version of Apple's Mac OS X (iPhone OS), and with different Mac OS X applications like Safari and Mail. It also contains web-based and dashboard applications like Google Maps and Weather. The iPhone has a 3.5-inch (89 mm) touch-screen display, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. On 5th February 2008, Apple updated the original iPhone from 4 GB to 8 GB models and 16 GB of memory. On 9 June 2008, at WWDC 2008 announced that Steve Jobs the iPhone 3G would be Available on 11 in July, 2008. This version adds support for 3G networks, Assisted-GPS navigation. The price cut to £ 130.55 for 8GB version and £ 196.15 for 16GB version, which was in black and white . On 24 April 2009 exceeded the one billion App Store downloads. At 8 Jun 2010 Apple launched iPhone 4. Apple has detailed the new version
of
the
iPhone
4,
announced
at
www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/...iphone -4-release-date /1
24th
June
2010.
Diffusion of innovations
The iphone diffusion-curve derives from an assumption that new product e.g. iphone4 is likely to have "product life", i.e. a start-up phase, a rapid increase in revenue and eventual decline. In fact the great majority of innovations never gets off the bottom of the curve, and never produces normal returns. The Apple will typically be working on new innovations that will ultimately replace older ones. Successive diffusion -curves will come along to replace older ones and continue to drive growth upwards. In the figure above the first curve shows a current technology. The second shows an emerging technology that current yields lower growth but will eventually overtake current technology and lead to even greater levels of growth. The length of life depends on many factors which we d iscussed later. Apple¶s popular buzz marketing expertise for revolutionary products such as iPod, iPod Nano and iPod Touch should be directed towards communicating the dynamic smartphone. (CAE Weblog: Apple iPhone Promotion, n.d.) COSTAC Model:
This model provides a useful framework for illustrating Marketing communication plans. Apple launching of iphone in UK faced a lot of problems in the competitive market. COSTAC is the combination of: C = Context analysis, O = Objective Setting, S = Strategy development, T = Tactical, A = Action and C = Control
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
This analysis helps to Apple for better understanding of its environment and provides a sound basis for establishing communication objectives. In the light of following elements of context analysis we can introduce t he current position of Apple and iphone. 1.Business context
Apple concentrated over the trading condition. Considering the vast explosion of iPhones in such a short period, it is natural that all of those who want an iPhone would expand its use to business as well own. And there is no joy to carry around a Blackberry and iPhone, either in the pocket. All this does is extra pressure on the belt. It's no wonder that the iPhone's usability in a business context is a raging debate now. This is still a secondary question, because the fact remains that present and future users demands for iPhone, for business use. 2. Customer context
Apple is judging the consumer behavior and consumer decision making for iphone in the market. o
Buyer
or consumer behavior.
The consumer behavior display in searching for, purchasing, using, evaluating, and disposing of products and services that they expect to satisfy their needs. iPhone "phenomenon" than perhaps any other single piece of technology. It might seem like another blog would be just another one on the mound. But the iPhone is a perfect example of technology that its mark on consumer behavior. A recent article in the LA Times discusses the overwhelming accessibility of information for iPhone users. The article examines in particular possibility that this access could become a social responsibility - the phone can "change in seconds, a light-hearted entertainment in the pursuit of truth." o
Consumer decision-making processes
The ability to see what the consumer trusts about something to think before he is paying money. That is the most powerful aspect of iPhone. A student aims from the Atlanta area, and says the phone is a "great opportunity for people has opened to check on a particular product, be it a pair of jeans, a computer or car, with her colleagues(Jared Kelley-Hudgins). Jared thinks he's the new iPhone, especially for the anticipated 3G feature, which would, if introduced to the Internet access outside of Wi-Fi networks up to 10 times faster than speed EDGE networks. So considering the technological quality, speed, appearance (iphone is a consistent band and simple instruction to use), safety (because iphone has updated equipments for any official, entertainment, printing etc use), value and loyalty( it is a professional device, low price than value, and best service ability, i-e 97% people are happy to use the iphone). 3.
Internal context
Apple¶s commitment to internal
quality
improvement programs would build high customer
equity in terms of value, brand and relationship. Management understands the customer¶s value creation process to provide and deliver customer value. So for this purpose Apple use Online Store team, Online Service Assistant,Online help forums, Phone Support( Customer service phone numbers main headquarters± stored in iPhone¶s phonebook), Email & Chat Support, Face -to-Face Contact, Customer Involvement, Customer Appreciation. (Apple ± Support ± Contact Apple Support, 2009) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2009)
Marketing functions / departments and their activities coordinated for vertical integration and holistic marketing management. The iPhone work product development and internal / external relations management. The iphone team concerned with Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, designers, hardware engineers, software engineers, product managers and business development manager. So they are communicating messages to influence the way in which they deal and respond to external audiences.
4.
External context
The factors affect over the Apple marketing communication activities are: y
y
Political situation. Taxation is something that government of UK over Apple from expected profit, and pricing strategy. The important laws in the world is GATT in favor of trade. Economic factors
The real world economic growth is in need of a major recession also affected UK economy, that affected Apple market already. So the Apple cares in the process of editing in market is declining, but it is higher than any other in the telecom sector. The exchange rate fluctuation is also
harmful for Apple. y
Social factors.
The "Start social brand community networking and the provision of communications for the scope of the professional routine and quality of life, i-e blogging, micro-blogging, photo-sharing, web-journalism, network gaming, etc. which are t he characteristics of iphone. (Millennial Marketing: Jello & Betty Crocker get iPhone A pps: Who¶s next?, n.d.) y
Technological factors.
The real challenges for iphone are the state of the art in the real world, the level of awareness and Internet usage for the individual and industrial aspect of the world are rising.
Landlines performance and
development efforts, new technologies in mobile phones are increasing. But Apple planned everything in iphone i-e the future plans for the technological link between cities, universities, hospitals and other institutions are increasing and can be connected to mobile phones. The level of using e-technology (online bidding, billing, complaints, blogging etc) is high and trendy. Significant developments in the
mobile market (3G Handsets reality and advanced features for the customer) is the multimedia download market push into new areas and opens up great opportunities for Apple iphone¶s. y
Legal factors:
Questions of copyright and illegal downloading large influence on Apple download industry and are a major problem for active service operators. A former lack of laws in this area, the consumer away from commercial download services and in response to these new technologies were introduced to prevent the protection of copyright owners and that customers download and share files illegally promoted. Digital Rights Management (DRM) was created to have the number of copies that can be made from a download, and are indeed the control of this industry, there are many positive aspects to it so many negative DRM for t he consumer. y
Environmental factors .
As part of the green revolution, green applications designed, the customers with creative solutions (green tips) for a green and healthy living. e.g. advises them to "Compost PET-waste," or "no water the Sidewalk", etc.
The second thing is global
concern of the Global Warming issue & other pollution causes concerning the packaging material and radiation of the cell phones (Annex 1.1 iPhone Application Green)
5. Stakeholder context .
It is very importat to understand the issues surrounding the range of stakeholders to be communicated. But Apple does not concentrate over Investors, Financial institutions, Trade associations, Government role regulations, pressure groups. The article says ³We all love Apple with its modern and innovative products but some recent news about the lack of stakeholder feedback and irresponsible business practices are making me wonder whether Apple is not willing to listen and act anymore with regards to Sustainability and CSR? These two recent articles raise big question marks about the way Apple is conducting its business and whether to buy Apple products in the future. (http://www.fabianpattberg.com/tag/stakeholders )
SMART OBJECTIVES OF IPHONE The objectives of Apple in order to achieve its goals. The objectives can show the clear path towards the target. Although this concept is not new, but people still confuse it with other concepts such as objective, strategy etc. The term SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely bound, to clearly define the long-term objectives. The Apple marketing objectives were to make an aggressive buy achievable objective for the first and second years of the market: 1st year Objectives - Apple presented a 2% shares of UK mobile phone market with the aim of testing by individual sales volume. 2nd year objectives ± To increase shares to10 percent. Addition to Apple's image of innovation, quality and value, so the iphone4 is a suitable sulotion. Measure the awareness and response in order to make adjustments to marketing campaigns as necessary for iphon4. Extension to the Apple brand and link to the established meaningful positioning. Target Market:
Differentiate the other PDA's iPhone4 on the market. The primary objective of the customer: That the average incomes of the top professional of their busy schedules to coordinate and communicate with Colleagues, friends and family. Secondary objectives are consumer high school, college and graduate students who need a portable multifunction device. Primary objective is business partnership with: Large mobile phone pro vider O2, ORANGE, VODAFONE. Large enterprise software companies, where information is critical to the ultimate consumer.
Secondary business objective is medium to medium-sized businesses that help managers and employees to stay in communication or access to the critical data customers want to go. The current Market segment of all telecom companies annual sales are from £6,54 £32,000,000 .
Segmentation :
y
Demographic Variables for iPhone 4: Intellectual users with purchasing. o
AGE
Young users (16yrs-25yrs), Middle aged users o
INCOME
High income y
OCCUPATION
Professionals, Corporate users/entrepreneurs, Medical users and Students (Launching iPhone: Apple¶s entry into the Mobile Phone Market |Marketing Case Studies|, n.d.)
POSITIONING
With the using of product differentiation, positioning, iPhone4 will be adaptable, practical, value-added equipment for personal and professional use. It will focus on the expediency of having a full device for communication, but also pictures, music, video, and Internet access. The iPhone4 will be encouraged as a profession and stylish.
Positioning: Designing the competitive advantage The competitors of iphone4 in UK are Sony Ericcson, Nokia and Blackberry after having been sorted through the pro spective differentiation points iPhone¶s Prospective Differentiation Points Product differentiation (Kotler & Armstrong, 2002, p. 270,271) y
y
U nique S elling P roposition (USP) ± Multi-touch screen P romotional f eatures: Larger, removable disk storage capacity ± USB support, digital
camera memory cards, external hard dr ives, Light weight and thin body, Easily replaceable long life battery (twice the usual time), High definition camera, 4G wirelesses
± even faster, more incredible speeds than ever offered on this sort of device. This will leapfrog the competition. (iPhone features, 2010) Image differentiation y
A pple
brandname:
Iconic Apple image used to capitalize on iPhone brand Apple logo emblazoned on the packaging and body of the phone and software and design by Apple. (Apple launches iPhone at Macworld-CRAVE at CNET UK, 2009) Channel differentiation y
Exclusive 2
y
O
distri bution:
,Orange, Vodafone.
Service differentiation y
A pple¶s
³work hard play hard´ i P hone team
Handling sales, troubleshooting, updates announcements, maintenance, etc. (Apple Computer-Company Profile of Apple Computer ± Getting a job at Apple, 2009)
F rom the past e x perien ce o f iphone status: T he market share was 10% in the U.K. smartphone market over a
course
o f t wo years .
So the objective of iphone4 for UK will be: A large consumer shares of several sub-markets could be conquered for the first Apple-timer in the mobile phone market.
It
would
be
for
the
needs
and
desires
of
the
targeted
customers.
Capturing multiple market segments through a single marketing strategy would save the cost of customized marketing and preferential terms for individual segments. T o satis f y the needs and wants o f smartphone customers and guarantee satis f action through
value delivery.
It would provide a market breakdown to identify potential smartphone users. T o manage a success f ul, f ocused launch without budgetary wastages .
It would help sort out consumer groups of interest from broad segments of various age-income combinations of the cellular phones market. Hence, limits wastage of resources.
(Kotler & Armstrong,2002, p.246). The SMART criteria should not only to the general communication strategy, but also to the setting of targets in the promotional mix. This means that enables the SMART principle, these objectives are set for advertising, sales promotion, personal selling, public relations and direct marketing.
Strategy Development and TACTICS of Apple: The Apple will focus this part of the communication process, to examine the strategy and communicate the right balance between the need of consumers, traders and other stakeholders. There are three approaches that Apple can use as a basis for their communication strategies and these are generally regarded as the 3Ps of marketing communication.
Pull communication strategies as a
B2C
strategy:
Apple will create advertising and sales promotion activities to the end users or buyers in an attempt to provide iphone4 from the agents to consumers; in turn they will demand the product directly from the Apple and thus pull the iphone4 by the channel demand. The advertising objective is to create a rule and to maintain heightened awareness to build attitudes and provoke motivation within the group of buyers. Pull strategies encourage the end-users to demand the product from the distributors, thereby pulling the produ ct through the distribution network.
(K ate W alsh N otes )
Iphone is advertising through Television Commercials (TVCs), Celebrity testimonials. Billboards and banners: Malls: visited by the youth, Office buildings for corporate users, Underground Metro stations for corporate users and youth. Online Podcasts: YouTube is a platform for successful advertising. iphone also use marketing blogs, etc. Sales promotion: 2,
Apple Joint tariffs through O Vodafone and Orange to optimize costs for consumer.
y
Price cuts under market skimming strategy .
(iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2010)
Push communication strategies as a
B2B
strategy:
The Apple uses these promotional activities or messages to the channel intermediaries (commercial channels), as distributors, wholesalers, agents, distributors and retailers, which in turn pass on such promotional activities are targeted for the end users e.g. you can buy iphone4 from carphone warehouse with the connection of O2, Vodafone and Orange. (http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone4) 2,
The O Vodafone and Orange are distributors for iphone. They offer the following packages. Orage give Free iPhone 16GB on a 24 month contract, you have to fork out £ 75 per month.
Vodafone iPhone is not officially her 4 tariffs, but the rumors of an iPhone on Vodafone 4 costs from
£
35
per
month
with
the
16GB
phone
costs
89
pounds
released.
IPhone O 2 from 4 data packets and go up to 500MB 1GB, which should be more than enough for most people. Look under 24 months of comparison iPhone £ 25 month you get 100 minutes at 500MB, the level increased to £ 60, if you think you need 1GB. (http://www.simplyfreeiphone.co.uk/news.html)
(K ate W alsh notes )
A push often uses mainly promotional mix too ls i-e: Personal selling, as in business to business marketing. The personal selling may focus initially on developing a relationship with a prospective buyer, but ultimately, always trying to "close the sale to end." It is an effective way to manage personal customer relationships. Ttrade advertising is using encourage wholesalers and retailers and motivate them to purchase
its products for resale to their ultimate customers. Trade advertising usually appears in publications that serve the particular industry e.g. the Apple give grants to the distribution channel in UK, to give free iphone with their package i-e given in the following image.
Sales promotion techniques such as discount for bulk orders, dealer competitions for the best sales figures and so on. Hence for the sales promotion iphone Joint tariffs with the folloing connection available at UK to optimize costs for consumer.
(http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs ) If Apple Inc. uses both the pull and push strategy in their communication with the business men and direct to the customers for iphone4 and provide accessibility to customers with other connection, upgrade facility etc, then the product will be promote very well. And iphone4 will be like the king position in the market.
PROFILE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
The Apple can be used this strategy to create a positive public image of iphone4 in the minds of parties. The task or objective is to provide a suitable project corporate identity, to build and maintain a solid reputation for iphone4.
Marketing communications tools used in profile strategies include mostly: Public relations: Apple will generate public relation techniques such as press releases, press conferences, facility 2
visits etc, to provide the test units to O , Vodafone And Orange and high end subscription. (Entrepreneurs, IT professionals, etc). Creative method "Spread the Word" competition with consumers. Apple signed contract for free Wi-Fi to public. And for customer attraction has done customer Appreciation Day for every 6 months. Sponsorship: It is a community based projects such as Tesco¶s computers for schools initiative.
A pple
exclusively is sponsoring is about 15,000 Subscribers up to 66% from last year opportunity to weekly e-newsletter. But due the innovative product (iphone4) the responsibility of Apple is more than before, because the phone is new and it want promotion in the market, for this purpose Apple will Sponsoring for target consumers in specific exhibitions, function, etc for which consumers take keen interest.
The Apple use tactics for customer attraction. The customer is elevating from different sources to create differentiation by competitors and delivering the goods with value added service message or an application. PR Blogs - Opinion & Specialized Pre-Launch Strategy Sneak Peaks sites on R & D Info Buzz & Viral Marketing Apple.com Printed media launch strategy TV Outdoor Media Social Media Advertising Carrier Handeld Apple.com Post launch strategy Independent review sites Online Ads Digital Campaigning Paind Digital Marketing Strategy Break Up Email Marketing Social Media Display Ads Advertising Blogs Access to care Hosting iPhone Apps iPhone apps iTunes Purchase section for free as you can see, you can watch Apple has almost all digital channels in 2007 to 2010, and makes economic sense used in order for the hosting to use their communicative message consumers and target audience. ACTION Action means applying the organization¶s marketing communication strategies and tactics so
that organizational communication objectives can be achieved. For this purpose the basic activity i-e to set the marketing communications budget.
The Apple break-even analysis assumes the wholesale sales of £ 328.34 per unit, variable cost of £ 164.17 per unit and fixed costs est of £ 32,830,000. Based on these assumptions, the break-even calculation is 32,830,000 pound divided by (£ 328.34 - £ 164.17) equal 202,000 units sold.
Break-even calculations show that Apple will exceed the sales volume for profitable 202k. After the first year, Apple is a profit of 1.25
billion billion minus 32.83 million
fixed.
Recommended
costs. price
is
£
229.84.
The
markup
is
40
percent.
It is predicted that sales will increase by at least 60 percent from this change, which will reduce the impact of fixed costs and to improve opportunities for our production scale, increase, further Improvement in profits in the long t erm. So the iphone4 is the innovative product of apple, so in the early stage that is shown in the following diagram.
(Kate Walsh notes) The "innovators " (those who adopt new products first) are usually relatively young, active, intelligent, socially and geographically mobile. It follows from the above model, the apple is launching iphone4, the customers who are buying first, the expected differ significantly from those who buy the product, much later. This must be considered in the development of the marketing mix. Innovators are the first to adopt and show a behavior that they want to remain likely demonstrated and the first to own iphone4 are far from the average consumers. They are often not taken seriously by their colleagues. So to bring awareness in the customer the Apple will use marcoms approaches for high involvement. i-e
(Kate Walsh notes)
CONTROL
Once the marketing plan begins to be implemented, the manager is monitoring and control that what is going on? Monitoring means, to check that everything in schedule. Control means corrective measures as soon as possible if things do not work as planned. (Kotler & Armstrong, 2002). The Apple team will used the following methods for control the marketing communications. Sale control: the team will test that whether actual sales match the organization¶s sales objectives. It means place, so they will target the big cities and focus over youngsters crowd areas e.g. Universities, Colleges and Pubes etc. Profitability control : the team will manage that the profit which the organization gains from investment, is profitable or losable or equal. This involves determining whether actual profits match the organization¶s profit objectives.
Brand
awareness control :
Apple is known for cool gadgets like the iPods along great
technological importance of innovation known as the iphone.
(Apple.com 2009, 2010) Brand awareness will be an important tool in taking the Apple brand from "social cool" to "business cool". Benchmarking: Apple has received in the supply chain performance and is on the top of the benchmark list. With the start of each new product until iPhone 3G versions, Apple has mastered in the execution of product delivery, which seems to be a major obstacle for its competitors. Source: (www.amrresearch.com) The contribution that evaluation research can the resilience of individuals, to make families and communities as evaluation factors become conversant on expanded programs and program contexts. The contribution that can make programs for their communities, the program is that more professionals use insights and strengthened the "lessons learned" that come from evaluation research. Customer evaluation and attitude towards Apple would flourish positively and they would want to distinguish themselves with iPhone4. (Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Satisfaction, and Market Value ± Insightory, 2010)
References (www.wikipedia.com). www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/...iphone -4-release-date /1 (CAE Weblog: Apple iPhone Promotion, n.d.). (Jared Kelley-Hudgins). (Apple ± Support ± Contact Apple Support, 2009) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2009) (Millennial Marketing: Jello & Betty Crocker get iPhone A pps: Who¶s next?, n.d.) (Annex 1.1 iPhone Application Green) (http://www.fabianpattberg.com/tag/stakeholders )
Kotler & Armstrong, 2002 (Apple launches iPhone at Macworld-CRAVE at CNET UK, 2009) (Apple Computer-Company Profile of Apple Computer ± Getting a job at Apple, 2009) (Kate Walsh Notes) http://www.simplyfreeiphone.co.uk/news.html (http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/pay-monthly/apple-iphone3gs ) (iPhone marketing plan - Apple iPhone forums, 2010) (Apple.com 2009, 2010) (www.amrresearch.com) (Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Satisfaction, and Market Value ± Insightory, 2010)
