App Success Makes Apple World's #1 Brand

With technology lying at the center of all the new trends in marketing and advertising, we see devices like the Apple iPad changing the way we reach customers.  A year ago there were few that would have thought that the iPad would eventually launch Apple into the world’s most valuable brand position- myself included!  When the iPad first launched many consumers were skeptical of how the bulky and expensive device would handle- mostly a result of it being sold as a practical item.  Nevertheless, just over a year later the iPad and the success of its user-friendly applications has enhanced Apple’s international brand image by 246% placing them as an uncontested number one.  To see a detailed list of 2011’s top 50 international brands, you can check them out here @ http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2011/5018/apple-tops-google-as-worlds-most-valuable-brand.

As Apple continues to develop a reputation in the retail industry we see their stock and brand continue to rise in value.  There are very few companies that have successfully completed a vertical integration like Apple who has virtually total control over their supply chain.  Recently, with talks of the new iPad 3 in development, Apple has looked to Taiwanese LED manufacturer Coretronic to join their short list of suppliers in attempt to solve previous display concerns.  As the population continues to shift towards the use of smart phones such as iPhones, Blackberry’s and Android models, the use of applications also continues to grow more rapidly.  Now with the introduction of the Blackberry Playbook, HP TouchPad and Samsung Galaxypad, we see the market becoming more competitive as marketers and advertisers focus on new ways to reach the consumer through these applications.    

This ultimately begs the question... How do you know if your business needs an app?  According to the experts at Mashable, it depends on who you’re targeting and what you have to offer.  Creating an app can be costly but depending on where your market lies and the overall mobile business climate around that segment, it can be extremely rewarding and in most cases profitable.  To get more information on whether designing apps is worthwhile for your business; check out this infographic @ http://7.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mobile-app-business-lg.jpg.  For info on how to design apps for small and mid-sized businesses, check out this post @ http://mashable.com/2010/10/27/build-an-app-for-your-smb/.