Apple Engages in AT&T, Verizon Ad War
Posted by michael on Nov 24, 2009 in In The News, Legal, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Advertising, Mobile Devices, Mobile Networks, iPhone
Although it may seem as though Apple is already involved in the lingering ad wars between Verizon and AT&T, only last night did Apple formally enter the vicious marketing melee. The move comes by Apple after months of having its name along with its iPhone constantly alluded to by the warring factions in their incessant ad attacks.
On Monday evening, Apple unleashed two retaliatory iPhone TV ads that effectively aim to provide some damage control in response to Verizon’s “there’s a map for that” campaign. The Apple ads depict the iPhone’s ability to browse the Web and manage phone calls simultaneously, something that isn’t possible over Verizon’s CDMA network. The ads also fire back against Verizon’s mockery of the iPhone for lacking a “real keyboard.”
As you might expect, Apple is similarly standing by AT&T in their new round of ads that seeks to cushion the blow by Verizon, which claims that AT&T’s 3G coverage is shoddy at best in comparison to Verizon’s. The now infamous “map attack ads” are being invoked again as AT&T taps actor Luke Wilson to argue that AT&T’s mobile coverage extends to 97% Americans. However, that high number alludes to both 2.5G and 3G coverage.
The new round of ads from both Apple and AT&T comes only days after a federal court failed to grant AT&T a “restraining order” against Verizon and effectively curtail the company’s aggressive “attack ads.” Far from over, the war will continue in court with no action being taken to pull any ad from either warring party.
Ivana | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
I had the iPhone in Portland, OR and it was crap. Apple told me that the WiMaxx at Safeway was killing their signal. I returned it and go another. Sure it worked at the freaking store, but when I drove home, no signal. I look up AT&T coverage and it shows excellant coverage area. I think most of these companies products are a rip-off. You can never connect and do real transactions selling stuff if you’re not in a major city, like NY or LA. When I returned the phone for a full refund, Apple kept me on the line so they could call Best Buy and verify I returned the phone. On top of that, they tried to get me to pay the $500 cell phone bill. I threaten to call the FCC and complain how I was mistreated by them and their product does not work as advertised. I think the main point being “as advertised”. All hype with no fluff.
Ivana
michael | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for catching my error, Ivana! I fixed it!