Rosa Parks graces Apple home page

So, yesterday, Apple were running a Rosa Parks memorial of sorts. All well and commendable (still doing it today apparently). They recycled an old print ad. It's a clever ad. Then on the 25th of October 2005, she died. Now, I found the presence of the Apple logo on her memorial a tad questionable. Which leads me to this line of questioning. Is the acceptance of this kind of advertisement and exploitation of a persons life and achievements to reinforce a brands core values on the occasion of their death an exclusively American thing? Is it just me or are Europeans a bit more sensitive to this kind of branding and not as accepting of a firm behaving like this? I think it's really cynical. Without the logo would've worked, but with it....it just reeks of exploitation. Thoughts? It seems to be kicking up a shitstorm online, splitting people into "Oh aren't Apple fantastic and anybody who doesn't think so is a right-wing cynic" and the "I know, I know, but there's a logo on it and that makes it an ad, now please stop shoutging" camps. There are pockets of onlookers inbetween but generally, it's a storm in a teacup. http://www.macaddict.com/forums/topic/72082/2 http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/25/184938/85 http://www.tuaw.com/2005/10/25/rosa-parks-graces-apple-home-page/ I like Apple hardware. But I'm neither a Macophant nor a Macalomaniac. The Think Different tagline is obsolete once everybody has an ipod anyways. It's really irritating that people buy into this, the whole illusion of a conscience that a large corporation so patently doesn't have by branding a memorial. At least it draws some attention to it by inviting discussion and incredulity from people who are indeed thinking differently. By accepting the advertisement as a tribute, you're not thinking differently at all - you're perceiving Apple the way that they want you to perceive them and have surrendered any pretenses to thinking in a way other than how they want you to think. You feel better about yourself because you own product and feel a kinship with a company that sticks it's logo on a picture of a dead heroine the day that she dies, their brand sits smugly back and watches its goodwill coffers fill up. It's a win/win situation. God. Go back to sleep America, your corporations have your consciences under control.

Don't kid yourelf that apple are any different from any other moneymaking concern. If anything, Apple are worse; for example, Apple only allow one free call to technical support when you purchase an i pod. They are no more cuddly than an alligator with lipstick and a bunch of flowers.

It ticks me off the number of people who just don't get it about Apple; they actually do things differently than other companies. I was there, I saw it for myself. For those who might like more details, I've just posted an article about the George Harrison tribute on my site (www.writersblocklive.com).

I don't think apple's using Rosa Parks for marketing now, think about it, If your going to the website then you already know about apple. When this picture was used as part of the ad campagn then yes, but not now. The Think Different Statement is just reminding us that she thought differently, and that that's what apple's trying to do as well.... Anyway, thats my 2c worth :)

I think a lot of people here are crazy. Maybe Apple is just paying respect to a woman we all respect. I think Jobs obviously had a lot of respect for Rosa Parks, that's why they had her in their Think Different campaign. For those of you who don't remember the poster, it was a bus in what appeared to be black and white, but actually it was the only color poster in the group. You had to look closely to see it was in color. I think that's pretty cool, and I like that Apple is paying her their final respects.

I think a lot of people here are crazy. Maybe Apple is just paying respect to a woman we all respect. I think Jobs obviously had a lot of respect for Rosa Parks, that's why they had her in their Think Different campaign. For those of you who don't remember the poster, it was a bus in what appeared to be black and white, but actually it was the only color poster in the group. You had to look closely to see it was in color. I think that's pretty cool, and I like that Apple is paying her their final respects.

Brilliant! A biting wit. Kudos to you sir, for bringing balance and thought to these comments. http://www.referatele.com/referate/geografie/online21/geografie4.php http://www.referatele.com/referate/geografie/online20/geografie4.php http://www.referatele.com/referate/geografie/online19/geografie4.php

Shame on Apple for exploiting this wonderful woman's death for commercial gain. Using her image, with her consent while she was alive was acceptable. Never forget, Apple is a big company, just like Microsoft who want to maximise profits.

Shame on Apple for exploiting this wonderful woman's death for commercial gain. Using her image, with her consent while she was alive was acceptable. Never forget, Apple is a big company, just like Microsoft who want to maximise profits.

Just want to point out that this is the same image that was used back during the Think Differant ads. If you search google I am sure you can find a copy of the old ad poster. Although I believe they used the multi-color version of their logo back then.