Do you have an app for that?
As most every media outlet on the planet has reported by now, Apple launched the latest iteration of its iPhone last weekend. Although it doesn’t boast the most evocative name Apple’s ever originated (it’s called the iPhone 3GS, where “the ‘S’ stands for speed”—yes, and “L” stands for lame), more than a million units were sold by the end of Sunday, matching the pace and volume of last year’s iPhone 3G launch. There were also about six million downloads of the new system software last weekend, which Apple made available independently of the new phone, so existing iPhone owners could add some of the 3GS’ new capabilities for free. And while we’re doing the numbers, let’s remember that there are over 50,000 apps available in Apple’s app store, and that there have been more than one billion downloads of these apps onto the nearly 40 million iPhones and iPod Touches Apple has sold. So when Apple says, as it does in its current crop of TV ads, “there’s an app for that,” you can believe that there is. And that someone you know has probably downloaded it.
So, then. Where’s your app?
Because it’s starting to look an awful lot like the iPhone and its revolutionary App Store are where some of new media’s promises for marketing are actually bearing fruit. Like the promise to cut through the clutter and reach an increasingly overwhelmed, distracted, and jaded audience. Like the promise to forge a real connection. And even build an ongoing relationship.
Skeptical? Rightly so. But AdAge says apps will be the new way to engage and advertise to your customers. And some pretty big names are giving it a shot. Among those who have developed an app specifically for the iPhone are Target, Kraft, Nike, Oracle, Google, Microsoft, the Weather Channel, and Bank of America.
Impressive list, don’t you think? But remember, to be on that list, you don’t need the resources of a Fortune 100 giant. A single software developer, compensated with Ho-Ho’s and root beer, can handle the coding part, in most cases. But first you need the idea. Something fresh and on target. Something useful, fun, or both. Something designed to leverage the iPhone’s unique strengths, and brought to life with great copy and images. In other words, you need to call us here at Big. And to do that, you don’t need an app. Though we could build you one.