Peeve of the day iTunes Advertising

One of the benefits of Mac ownership has been NOT having to wade thru crapware on my computer all the time.  Now comes this  

Almost everytime I sync my phone I have to click thru this MobileMe Ad?  At first I thought it was just when I synced my new iPhone 4 for the first time.  but it has been there almost every day.

CRAP!

Make it end Apple

Regardless of the relative merit of MobileMe (not good for me but I am hopeful long term) I find this type of  advertising putoffish and invasive.

Now, lets try a thought experiment.   Assume that  customers that sync their phones are better Apple customers than non-syncers.  (we know who you are). The presumption being that syncers use their phone more, buy more apps, and are happier overall with their user experience and as a result more likely to buy another phone or even better MORE apple products.

Do you think having to click thru an add every time I want to sync my phone makes me want to sync more or less? It adds friction.  like a paywall or even a registration wall does.  (see Rupert Murdoch Times 60% traffic drop off for Free restration wall went up)

There are two lessons here.

First,  If their is value in the product people will find their way to it.  Make the product better.

Second, and it is a correlary to the first.  Advertising it more make increase sales but it will not increase satisfaction and repeat customers (see rule number one)

Lastly,  I know there are opt outs for email marketing and even for iAds so if there is an opt out for iTunes I have not found it yet.  If I find it. OR if the add goes away so will my Peeve.

Victoria's Secret Joins Apple: Offers Field Trips for Kids

I can't be the only one that thinks this is a bad idea.

From the web site:

Take your students on a Field Trip to an Apple Store for an unforgettable learning experience. On their Field Trip, students can create something amazing right on the spot. Or they can bring in a project they’ve already created and turn our store into a theater, sharing their achievements with parents, teachers, and friends. No matter which option you choose, everyone will have a great time

Look I get that marketing and sales are amoral departments.  Their singular focus on what....  Oh yea MARKETING AND SALES.  But Someone at Apple has to have had a little bell go off in their head that says... ding ding ding ding... ARE you F-Ing NUTS?!

Would you think that field trips to these "Better Mall locations" would be a good idea?

Victoria's Secret (what would they do?)

Wal-Mart (Teach kids how to use an inventory handheld, let them pitch in at no cost)

Look at the upside

Kids love a day out of the school,

Teachers love a day with no teaching?  Is that a problem?

FREE well except for the bus, lunch and all that learning you did not do today.

And the Downside

Headline Risk  (Imagine if you will... a news story with the  upsides listed above in a frontpage article of local news paper.  Watch dads head explode about his kid is spending the day at the galleria instead workin on the learnin of the writin  You Betcha!)  

I pay property taxes for THIS!

A corp program alternative that would carry a much lower risk albeit at higher cost and o yea A POSITIVE RESULT?

Higher, or better yet get volunteers thru local partnerships, graphic artists, musicians, photographers, OR MBA's loaded for bear with Apple gear to give hands on demonstrations of how they use technology to do their special voodo.  Go ahead bring the T shirts but leave some gear for the school.  (hint: leave a phone number)