Ipad Preliminary Marketing Report

Apple's iPad has revolutionized tablet computers in many ways. Ipad3 is the latest version released by Apple on March 16, 2012 and is sleek and faster than its predecessors. While other manufacturers are struggling with innovation in the tablet computer section, Apple seems to handle it with relative ease and this is one of the main reasons for its presence as a market leader in this segment.

Smartphone and tablet markets are growing which is a good opportunity for Apple to expand their market share in these markets.

Consumer(s) can’t readily identify / understand the importance /significance of having more capabilities, memory, storage, etc. The consumer(s) would ultimately shop for and purchase the iPad that’s more conducive to their needs. Although apple has is very technological innovative, but as it relates to price elasticity of demand; the quantity does not matter (all the changes, modifications, additions, advancements, etc.) consumers will still purchase the cheaper iPad (cost efficient)

They could leverage opportunities by being able to maintain their devoted customers and offer to them discounts or special promotions for the products. This would attract other potential customers. The potential damage may occur if Apple is not able to stay in the competition or cannot innovate; they are threatened if Google’s Android is advancing faster and faster because people like to stay in touch with the technology and would choose the best product in the market.

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

Apple wants to expand sales to clients who do not own products. Produce hassles free products for the enjoyment for customers. Become the leader in the mobile market. Strategy: Expanding the company’s distribution network to hit more consumers. Continue to invest prudently in Research and Development. Become the mobile leader.

Is iPad a platform worth devoting resources to, and Apple a partner to bet on?

Issue 02: Apple is a wildly successful company that generates billions of dollars in profits every year. This is one of the strongest examples of how a company with the right strategy, great products, a strong leader and the willingness to take some risks can become vastly successful. The market in which Apple is strong has intense rivalry for market share. Apple is challenged with staying ahead of its competitors and maintaining long-term relationships with its customers. In order to stay ahead of the competition Apple is forced to keep product innovation a top priority. I would maintain a Blue Ocean Strategy to market our product and maintain our competitive advantage (McGraw-Hill Irwin, Page 152). The company has a strong and loyal customer base which will allow Apple to concentrate the focus to highlighting the features of our products. I will not focus on what our competitors can and cannot do; I will focus the attention to the benefits of having Apple products. Strategic marketing campaigns highlighting the different uses and features of the popular iPhone and iPad will headline the campaign.

This analysis of this project has been established by its 4 group members researching tactics used for international marketing for Apple, Inc., and to secure funding for the additional growth in marketing status of the company. The purpose of the research was to explore international marketing strategies such as distribution, pricing methods, and promotion and advertising strategies. The collection of data was done through the web by looking at news articles, Apple, Inc.’s website, and analyzing data from previous years of the company. Some findings included the products that are distributed around the world including iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macintosh computers. The distribution process of Apple, Inc. begins with a China based product setting, then moving to Apple’s logistic center across numerous regions, then to different service

Even though Apple has encountered many setbacks, it continues to bring new and improve products to the market. Apple’s competitive strategy has been innovation. They have made an extraordinary effort developing, implementing, and executing its very unique strategy through innovation which has resulted in new product, and the enrichment of the existing ones. More specifically, Apple attempts to meet and supply the needs of a global market, by offering eager and enthusiastic consumers with innovated and high-quality products and services. Apple has employed a differentiation strategy linked to innovation with its three core products (computers, personal media player, mobile phones, tablets and other accessories). A key piece of their strategy involves meeting the needs of the converging digital electronics and computer markets. Apple has elected to implement its strategy by designing and developing proprietary operating systems and software technologies, thus allowing for strict protection of its intellectual rights.

This paper comprehensively describes the marketing plan of a charismatic organization Apple Inc. The main focus of the paper is to describe the most important marketing strategies which Apple has espoused from the date of its emergence and different challenges which it has faced from time to time. The paper begins with an introduction to the organization. Apple Inc. is an American MNC; engaged in the business of developing and marketing of IT products. Apple has expanded its business operations all over the world. Every product which Apple introduces has its own target market; it develops marketing plan and strategies for each of its products separately (Apple, 2012). Apple's strengths include strong brand image, financial strength, product and process design, and highly efficient operations management while high prices and inability of up gradation of some products are its main weaknesses. Apple has threats from its competitors, increasing costs, and economic situations but has greater opportunities in entering new markets, making strategic alliances, and bringing innovations through efficient R&D. Before entering new markets, Apple has to analyze the business environment through sensitivity analysis, and then decide a framework for the future strategies.

From day 1, the iPad was viewed as more than just a consumer device. With apps like Apple 's Keynote to give presentations, the device was quickly embraced by professionals to show a slide deck to a colleague. Whether in a conference room or at a restaurant table, the iPad is simply more convenient than a laptop ever was, and as a result it was quickly grabbed by professionals to use for business purposes. After that, it didn 't take long for companies to see the potential for the iPad (Clevenger, Nathan. ( © 2011))

Apple Computer redefined the portable digital music player market with its launch of the iPod digital music player. This began in January of 2001, when it introduced its jukebox software called iTunes. This software enabled Macintosh users to import songs from audio CD's converting them to MP3 format and storing them on the computer's hard drive. It later launched the iPod digital music player in October of 2001. The iPod was designed to synch to songs and playlists from iTunes via a Firewire cable connection. Once music was downloaded, the iPod provided for 10 hours of continuous play from its rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. Media is stored on iPod's internal hard disk (Day, 2005).

Apple operates with fierce competition in the consumer electronics segment which comes in many different forms. There are a large number of competitors in the different market niches who offer many similar products. Furthermore, many of these competitors' products are priced much less than an Apple branded products. Just as soon as Apple releases a new product, major companies begin imitating it immediately. In the personal computer industry, market pressure is continuously being exerted from such companies such as IBM, Dell, HP, and Toshiba (Wildstrom, 2009). Furthermore, with its flagship product the IPhone, Apple competes with companies like HTC, Palm, Blackberry, and Motorola (Wortham, 2011). Apple has had significant success despite the competitive environment because Apple commands a brand loyalty and dedication to innovation that few companies have ever achieved.

Apple Inc. is the most revered corporation of the USA, both in terms of brand equity and market capitalization. The company’s international competitive strategy is focused on the innovative product development, which Apple controls through its eight business segments: Portables, Desktops, iPads, iPhones, Music related products and services, peripherals and hardware (Lam et al. 2005).