Google's (Lack of) Advertising

[NoSpin]

First off just a disclaimer, I don't want this to become a crazy Google vs Apple debate. Stick to the topic.

That being said, I'm sure everyone has seen these videos-

YouTube - Apple - iPhone 4 - TV Ad - iBooks
YouTube - Apple iPad 2 Official TV-Ad

Simple, elegant, vastly misleading, but most importantly EFFECTIVE. These ads portray these devices as incredibly desirable. Particularly the iPhone one, which basically says "If you don't have an iPhone.... you just aren't cool". Well everybody wants to be cool, so....

Now take a look at this one-
YouTube - Verizon Motorola XOOM Vendetta Preview
"Grab it, and it grabs you". What the hell does that even mean? Note that this ad goes for the flashy route, shouting out specs joe public could care less about, "1Ghz Dual Core Processor, Gyroscope". Not good.

So my question is, why doesn't Google take a more aggressive stance advertising their brand? I understand that carriers and manufacturers are in charge of promoting their own phones, but that doesn't mean Google can't give Apple a run for their money in the creativity department. Those iPhone ads are just screaming for counter advertising, heck anyone fluent in video editing could knock one out in an hour. Oh wait- YouTube - If You Don't Have An iPhone, You Have... Effective and crushing.

I just don't see why it takes an (amazing but) amateur video to set those Apple ads in line, when Google should be doing this housekeeping themselves. I just see wasted opportunities. Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

 

[CR4V3]

Considering Google has given iOS a run for it's money without any advertising I'm not sure if they need to.

 

[Silas0220]

Money, baby. Advertising costs money, and lots of it. Apple can afford to do it, and frankly needs to to keep its edge. Google would rather put that money in R&D and making better devices. I for one would rather they do that than advertise.

 

[mar#CB]

Not sure Google really needs to advertise, word of mouth and being a search engine has kinda helped them out.

 

[Officerpolabear]

Yeah honestly they don't need too. And also, Google can't control what these companies decide to air on television

 

[Silas0220]

Well, frankly, they -can- control anything they like. They choose not to. I for one think that's a very good choice.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

I think that it is a calculated move on Google's part. Don't necessarily agree with it... but that is how they run their business.

They are content to give away an OS and reap the rewards that googlification brings.

It seems to be working.

 

[efn77mx]

I agree Google doesn't really need to advertise. I see similar advertising techniques (or lack thereof) in the automotive industry (which I am in). I look at Apple as the domestic car brands. Most of their commercials are similar..."our cars are so much better than (insert import automaker)" With Apple, you have "you're not cool if you don't have an iPhone....blah blah blah" Now I see Google as the import car makers, who DO advertise, but don't really need to bash ANYONE else to sell their products.

Apple's commercials might seem effective, but it's having a REVERSE effect on me, and the very likely FEW others like myself. Because of the WAY Apple advertises, it's highly unlikely I would even consider ANY Apple product in the foreseeable future...if ever for that matter.

 

[Officerpolabear]

Because of the WAY Apple advertises, it's highly unlikely I would even consider ANY Apple product in the foreseeable future...if ever for that matter.

Eh, the only good thing they make is the iPod and maybe the macbooks but I still like windows better

 

[Officerpolabear]

Come to think of it, really all I use my iPod for is watch Netflix on the go by tethering it to my phone

 

[Icon]

Google doesn't advertise for devices, because it doesn't make the devices. All Google does is provide the OS for those devices. Its called contractual limitations. The carrier (who is providing the service) and the manufacturer (who designed and produced the device) have contracts with Google, giving them all rights to advertise for the specific device.

Now with the said, I don't think Google needs to advertise either. They are almost "above it". They let there software speak for itself. Sure we would all love to see Google counter punch Apple, but then Google would be lowering themselves to Apples level. Again, Google is above that.

 

[dajogejr]

I agree...let MS and Fruit duke it out on the commercials, and steal their thunder in the background...

But...
Let's not kid ourselves. IF the fruit would've come to VZW earlier, no way Android would have grown as fast as it did.

So, in a way, we can thank Apple and VZW for being stubborn and difficult.

 

[tropper]

So my question is, why doesn't Google take a more aggressive stance advertising their brand?

Why advertise ? Verizon will do it for them, not many people new of android till they heard "Droid" for the OGDroid. and now Android OS phones are selling like hot cakes.

I agree...let MS and Fruit duke it out on the commercials, and steal their thunder in the background...

But...
Let's not kid ourselves. IF the fruit would've come to VZW earlier, no way Android would have grown as fast as it did.

So, in a way, we can thank Apple and VZW for being stubborn and difficult.

Speaking of stealing there thunder the Tbolt did just that, VZW sold more bolts than yPhone 4's

 

[NoSpin]

Sorry guys was away from the internet for a few days. Love everyone's view on the subject, and I agree with most of it. I understand that Google can't advertise specific phones or products, but I always thought that Android, though growing immensely, just doesn't have the brand awareness that an iPhone has. Those Apple ads annoy the heck out of me because people who don't know any better are lead to believe you can ONLY read books on an iPhone, you can ONLY get apps on an iPhone etc....

I just think one short ad of "Hi we're Google, this is Android, it's on all these things, this is what it can do, and no matter how you hold it, it's never the wrong way", would do a lot. But that's just my opinion, good discussion.

 

[tropper]

Also remember word of mouth is stll the best advertisement and the cheapest too.

 

[Guamguy]

I've seen a gazillion Nexus S web ads from Ads by Google that I can puke.

In a way, its awkward for Google to advertise, because they are their own advertising channel.

Look at all those Youtube videos. Figure out who owns Youtube. Figure out who Apple has to pay who to put those videos there.