Apple Inc. Marketing Plan

According to Mintel (2014), “nearly half of today’s university students report they are financially comfortable, as they have money left at the end of the month for a few treats and to save.” What about the other half? The other half of the students either have not a lot left after the basics are taken care of or having difficulties with their financial situation. Students’ average monthly expenditure on their essentials is 65% of their monthly income (Mintel, 2014). In these few years, there has been a rise of national companies giving student discounts and offers for their products or services. For example, Apple Inc. offers student discounts for their gadgets.

Apple is a global company represented in many parts of the world, but born in the United States by computer wizards by the names of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak who founded the company back in 1976 (Capon, 2008). The organization deals with the design and sale of computer hardware, software and offers tech support to its customers. Examples of the hardware the company manufactures and sells include mobile phones, personal computers, iPads, tablets and iTunes with associated brands, like the MacBook and iPhones that represent Apple’s driving force towards its success. It is recognized as a brand leader in consumer electronics by the world in terms of quality and customer satisfaction and despite the wide product range, Apple manages each product in a distinct way that is a single business unit (Mittan, 2010).

The multi billion-dollar corporation, Apple Inc., designs and manufactures some of today’s highest technological gizmos and gadgets. Among their best known products are the Apple and Macintosh computers, iPods, iTunes, iPhones and iPads. Apple is one of the most powerful and influential high tech companies in the world. The success of Apple Inc. stems from the innovation and visions of co-founder and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, the excellence of the stylish, user-friendly products, and the ability to create innovative products that consumer’s desire.

Nowadays, Apple has positioned itself to be an innovator in the personal computer industry and Apple has developed by offering modern products compared to its competitors. According to Apple’s mission statement last year, “Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.” (Business Management,

Apple’s vision statement and mission statement are bases of the company’s success as one of the most valuable companies in the world. Apple value proposition is determined in part by the level of engagement consumers can achieve with their device both in terms of frequency of use and the range of features and services they access. Apple’s competitive advantage is it brand. Apple is the world’s most valuable brand valued at $151B. It grew 6% last year. Apple has fans. Millions of people will buy whatever Apple sells and Apple’s strategic plan has evolved because whenever you hear the

Apple Inc. has been able to continuously stay one step ahead of its competition by creating innovative and unique products that customers enjoy. Looking at the industry environment, stiff competition poses a large threat to Apple at this time, as well as rising labor costs in China, and third the ability of a company to imitate an Apple product. The main competitors to Apple are Samsung, Microsoft, and Google. One important external factor that is favorable for Apple at this time would be the continued growing popularity of digital devices as well as the increased use of social media. Apples brand recognition in the industry is very high, meaning its reputation is very good among its customers. In addition existing substitute products to Apple’s are relatively weak and do not come with as many features. As a result Apple can raise and lower its prices without the threat of losing many customers, which is in part why the company has a lot of market power at this time.

Apple is involved in the design, development and marketing of personal computers (PC) and related software, peripherals, network solutions, portable digital music players, and associated accessories. The company’s portfolio of offerings comprises Mac computing systems, iPods, iPhones, and servers .The company’s software applications include Mac OS,iLife , iWork, and internet applications like Safari and QuickTime, among others. The company mainly operates in the US. It is head quartered in Cupertino, California and employs 32,000 employees.

Apple Inc. uses the Apple brand to compete across several highly competitive markets. Apple 's brand has evolved as it has expanded its range of products and services. Originally starting in the late 1970s with desktop computers and then laptops in the 1990s, it took over 20 years before the company expanded into its first major new product area with the launch of the iPod in 2001, followed by iPhone in 2007, iPad in 2010, and now Apple Pay and Apple Watch in 2014.

Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation that produces and markets a wide selection of Electronic devices, Hardware and Software and a range of other consumer goods. Apple mainly known for its innovation and cutting edge technology in the 21st century has touched new heights and achieved huge financial growth as well as brand image progress. The Apple brand was named the best and the most trusted during 2012 and attained massive growth in its stock market as well (Benzinga 2012).

In January 2007, Apple entered the smartphone industry with a firm stride. Apple 's iPhone be-came a pioneer in the Internet-enabled multimedia cellular phone commerce. Its "revolutionary" fea-tures combined everything consumer could possibly wish for: a GSM standard phone, an iPod and an Internet browser. In less than three month after launching, Apple sold over 1 million of iPhones. However, its success started to fade as an array of complaints and restrictions struck the company with an unexpected blow. Apple had to face dissatisfied customers and international law authori-ties. The issue laid in the core of its marketing plan. The company was mainly oriented on innovative technology, forgetting who this technology was actually serving.

Founded in 1976, Apple Inc. has been largely successful and has experienced incredible expansion in its history. Starting with the production of the PC in the 70s, Apple became the most valuable company in the world in 2012. Apple Inc. went through extensive renovation, after the company introduced IPod with its ITunes Store that served like a digital marketplace and offered consumers access to musical collections at reasonable prices. In addition, Apple introduced IPhone with its App Store that provided customers with various mobile applications. Both markets were copyright-protected platforms, which inspired artists and app-developers to use platforms. In 2011, Apple presented IPad, a product designed to integrate work process, telecommunication, and media concurrently. In 2015, Apple expanded and launched the Apple Watch in main global markets. As for now, Apple has managed to become a leader in IT industry producing computers, laptops, mp3 players, mobile devices and various software as well. The company is considered to be one of the industry’s pioneers, being the first one to create properly personal computers, first multicolor monitors, first operational systems with graphic interface, first musical internet store etc. Apple keeps on prospering, launching new electronic devices every year which only boosts the hype among its loyal customers and manages to attract thousands of new ones. Trying to expand the business on to many other different

Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, online services, and personal computers. It was established on Apr 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Its best-known hardware products are the Mac line of computers, the iPod media player, the iPhone smartphone, and the iPad tablet computer. Its online services include iCloud, iTunes Store, and App Store. Apple 's consumer software includes the OS X and iOS operating systems. Its products are sold in more than 120 countries in which India, China, US and European countries like Germany, Italy, France, Spain etc are major user of Apple’s

Finally the announcement came to a packed house, with an amazing amount of coverage and hype.

Market segmentation strategy involves dividing the market into groups, where individuals have similar needs and wants for services and products. It could also be a segmentation of people on the basis of behavior, culture and economic status. To get a clearer picture of what is market segmentation, one can always look into the definition provided by business dictionary.com, market segmentation is defined as, "Process of defining and sub-dividing a large homogenous market into clearly identifiable segments having similar needs, wants, or demand characteristics" (Meadows, 2008).

Apple markets a number of software and networking solutions. Apple is the definition of new and advanced technology. They deal with range products from music player; iPad, mobile devices; iPhone; computers; Mac, television and business and personal software. Their products are distinctive and mostly preferred by an enormous number of customers. Their market base extends globally. Apple products are unique and are identified with their brand name and a picture of an apple fruit. Apple offers support for their products that operate on their internally designed software. Their products are well equipped with modern technology and designed to meet clients’ expectations and needs (Yoffie and Rossana 2012).