Is Apple Hitting Below The Belt? “Mean-Spirited” New Ad

On the right, a hip, rebellious-looking young man in jeans and a T-shirt announces, “Hello, I’m a Mac,” while on the left, buttoned-down older man next to him, clad in nerdish-looking glasses and a bad-fitting suit with an ugly tie says, “And I’m a PC…”

This is followed by a discussion on the many advantages of the Apple computer over the PC. Both come to the conclusion that Macs are “better” than PC’s.

Being one who winds up using both platforms for different purposes,  I find this particular ad offensive on a number of levels – mainly the stereotype of “stodgy middle-aged men.” It is quite apparent that the target demographic is the young urban hipster – which is ironic, since in today’s America, a vast majority of the 20-30 age group are struggling for mere economic survival, and are probably not thinking about the purchase of a new Mac – which tend to be far more expensive than a comparable PC – anytime soon.

In any event, every “young hipster” is (barring illness or accident) going to wind up being middle aged at some point. In fact, with a falling birthrate, the U.S. – like Canada – is rapidly going “gray.” Within the next fifteen years, persons aged 50 and older will make up a majority of the U.S. population. Apple (and other corporations) would do well not to alienate this particular demographic, who are wielding increasing amounts of economic and political power.

This said, it’s actually not bad, as far as the “art” of advertising goes. It doesn’t necessarily make me want to rush out and buy a Mac, however. But – perhaps it will do it for you. Check out the ad for yourself at the Apple Website.

On the right, a hip, rebellious-looking young man in jeans and a T-shirt announces, “Hello, I’m a Mac,” while on the left, buttoned-down older man next to him, clad in nerdish-looking glasses and a bad-fitting suit with an ugly tie says, “And I’m a PC…”

This is followed by a discussion on the many advantages of the Apple computer over the PC. Both come to the conclusion that Macs are “better” than PC’s.

Being one who winds up using both platforms for different purposes,  I find this particular ad offensive on a number of levels – mainly the stereotype of “stodgy middle-aged men.” It is quite apparent that the target demographic is the young urban hipster – which is ironic, since in today’s America, a vast majority of the 20-30 age group are struggling for mere economic survival, and are probably not thinking about the purchase of a new Mac – which tend to be far more expensive than a comparable PC – anytime soon.

In any event, every “young hipster” is (barring illness or accident) going to wind up being middle aged at some point. In fact, with a falling birthrate, the U.S. – like Canada – is rapidly going “gray.” Within the next fifteen years, persons aged 50 and older will make up a majority of the U.S. population. Apple (and other corporations) would do well not to alienate this particular demographic, who are wielding increasing amounts of economic and political power.

This said, it’s actually not bad, as far as the “art” of advertising goes. It doesn’t necessarily make me want to rush out and buy a Mac, however. But – perhaps it will do it for you. Check out the ad for yourself at the Apple Website.