Posted on August 22, 2006
The iTunes Marketing Explosion
BY JENNIFER EUBANKS
Steve Rubel over at Micropersuasion.com has posted some interesting news about Apple iTunes.
It seems that the ever-popular music score is branching out even further, entering the realm of video games. Links are to be embedded into an upcoming game known as "Eternal Force" which will allow users to click links that take them directly to iTunes in order to purchase the awesome song they just heard in the game.
Rubel speculates that if this initiative is successful that it could open up myriad marketing possibilities--one such example would be adding links to songs in the television programs offered for download. This is soemthing that will be interesting to watch develop, especially if it can be done in a non-intrusive manner. If the method of delivery is too annoying or distracting for the user, they run the risk of being consciously ignored, or else the user turns to alternate methods of obtaining the sought-after content. However, I also think that if I was watching a show or playing a game and heard a song, but had no idea who it was by, I would love the chance to easily obtain it. It's instant gratification at its finest.
Right now iTunes has a remarkable hold on the downloadable media market. It helps that it is extremely easy to use, offers almost every album, audio book, television show imaginable, and is linked to what is still arguably the best portable audio player. They are in a prime position to test out the latest ideas in marketing. And, if the rumors of an iPod capable of supporting video rentals and digitized books, magazines, and newspapers, then the possibilities are almost limitless. Traditional advertising still has its place--but advertising successfully in on-demand content seems to be the wave of the future that Apple is in the position to ride.
