Why is the news cycle so last-dance-at-the-prom giddy about these 2 stories?
- Starbucks closes at 5:30 for 3 hours today at all 7,000+ stores worldwide.
- Texas' Abilene Christian University gives all in-coming freshman a free iPhone.
Seriously. Given the options, these are topping the news wire links today?
And is a $400 'freebie' really gonna be the difference maker when you're already talking about a 4+ year investment at a university that costs $25K/year? Is it gonna be the reason why your 17 year old decides to fill out the application and move 2 hours west of Ft. Worth and 2 hours west of Lubbock, TX, if he/she wasn't going to do it already?
Really? For an iPhone?
Oh.
Wait.
School Marketing 101.
The kicker: A university with little-to-no national exposure is SUDDENLY catapulted to the top of the news wire charts because they -- what? -- what? -- what? -- give the trendy phone-of-the-day away to all in-coming frosh?
Really? Really? Really?
Oh. Yeah!
Get's me thinking.
If I gave away an iPhone to a new subscriber to this blog, could I usurp #1 Engadget's seat on the top of Technorati's world-domination blog list and really cash-in before blogs go the way of toaster ovens for sex appeal?
Sign me up for the free iPhone. But, wait, who will pay the data bill for that phone? I'll bet AT&T is kicking the phones in for free! On second thought, I don't think I want the free iPhone (if you really were going to give one away.)
Posted by: Jan Abernethy | February 26, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Ok, perhaps it might be a marketing ploy, but did you watch their video http://www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/index.html . I can see a whole lot of benefit with this idea. That is a very cool concept they have cooking... besides the marketing part.
Posted by: Gabby | February 28, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Gabby: Much thanks re: the link. Clearly there is MUCH more under the hood with this project...and also ACU's intentions. I'm curious how Apple partnered with ACU to allow the school to be the nation's first to go in this direction. An interesting test-case.
I'm trying to download the video now to watch (it kept cutting out on me last night at home)...although my first glance had noticing that the student driving onto campus in the opening scenes is in a filthy but very 'real' car. I have NO doubt that the marketing/film team made a conscious decision with this...and would love to have been in their design/brainstorming sessions.
Again, thanks! Much appreciate having more details so I can update my awareness on this story. I'm becoming a fan of ACU, but still convinced that the 'story' is pure marketing (which is all that 99% of people will take note of).
Posted by: Christian Long | February 29, 2008 at 03:41 PM