Comments on: Why Apple Doesn’t Need Social Media

By: Angus

Angus — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:02:51 +0000

It’s be interesting to see how they will handle their MobileMe outage issues. It appears they have they started to or maybe they will soon start listening to what users are saying online?

I just read AppleInsider report they are now posting their outage with near-daily updates.

By: G man

G man — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:49:32 +0000

I like apples! Just talking about them makes me want to buy 3 versions of the Ipod in a row along with an apple IPhone I cant use in my cellphone package area just so that I can show it off. Social media ~ more like Cult Media. Weeeeee!

By: John Cass

John Cass — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:15:32 +0000

Interesting post, with only 11.8% of the Fortune 500 blogging, we are still in early adopter stage for social media. However, for tech companies I think we are in the mainstream, 50% of the companies adopting blogs in the f500 or tech and telco. Apple’s lack of approach to social media is puzzling, and is probably more a result of its leadership than a lack of a need to be competitive. My advice to any company regarding social media is to monitor what is being said about you, and if there is sufficient industry and brand discussion really consider getting involved. I wouldn’t change that advice for Apple.

By: Simon Young

Simon Young — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:43:03 +0000

I blogged about this very same thing. My take on it is that the use of social media is a reflection of corporate culture. Apple is designed to within an inch of its life, and tightly controlled - in a fascist dictatorship, the trains always run on time.

Maybe I’m being unkind. I do enjoy Apple products, after all. But I just wonder what will happen when Jobs goes.

My original blog post: http://madyoungthing.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-apple-doesnt-get-social-media.html

By: More on pitching those bloggers « PR Research

More on pitching those bloggers « PR Research — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:32:19 +0000

[...] Dave Fleet posts on why Apple doesn’t need social media. Because they have such a strong brand and they design such cool products that’s why. [...]

By: Shama Hyder

Shama Hyder — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:22:07 +0000

Dave-More reason for Apple to get involved. They ARE PRIME candidates for social media. They have evangelists-why not help them out?

I am not sure shunning bloggers is a good idea. It’s definitely not a good branding move.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:21:12 +0000

When Steve Jobs is at the helm, Apple will sit arrogantly on that hill, looking down on everyone. It doesn’t have to say anything - people will still bow at its feet.

Unfortunately, Apple followers tend have the same attitude. I don’t think they live in the same universe as everyone else.

By: Douglas Walker

Douglas Walker — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:10:11 +0000

Interesting Dave. In the upcoming Shill Episode 7 (hopefully coming out today), Dave and I touched on this issue as well.

Apple doesn’t need to generate buzz about their company. Their products do it for them and the fans go nuts, as you have pointed out.

Any good communicator knows that if you already have significant share of mind within a particular segment, you may not need to spend money convincing them further. Apple will buy into Social Media, if and when they need it. They have far more to lose than gain right now I feel.

I think it is also worth pointing out that Apple is in my opinion one of the last great brands. A brand that still stands for something and is not diluted. Is it connected to not doing social media? I doubt it, but worth considering nonetheless…

Look around at any echo chamber gathering. The number of macs you will see is far better than the 5-10% market share they have. So even the pundits still buy their products without social media campaigns…

By: jfouts

jfouts — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:02:23 +0000

Apple doesn’t need it really, since we users evangelize for them 24/7, but I think it’s a mistake to blatantly ignore the influence of social media. They could fuel the flames on the positive and counter the negative.

On the other hand, just because they aren’t participating doesn’t mean they aren’t watching…

By: Parker

Parker — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:59:01 +0000

I think that one of the reasons Apple doesn’t need to “join the conversation” is because it doesn’t need to defend itself as much as other companies.
Dell, if I remember correctly, was plagued by poor customer service and less-than-stellar products.
There was a reason to complain, and a need for them to respond online.
I’ve only been an Apple user for a little bit less than a year now, and have only been using one of their computers for 4 months, but I can already see why they don’t feel a need to engage online. They already have people answering the phones online. Their products are good enough that people are willing to speak on behalf of the company.