Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family, Video, Odds and ends, Apple
New iPod touch ad was created by student, reuses Zune tune
As many, many readers noted, a new iPod touch ad appeared on TV over the weekend, and Apple has now posted it on their site. There's a long story behind this one that I hadn't heard yet, it would seem that the ad is a product of TBWA/Chiat/Day, just like most of Apple's ads, but the idea actually came from an 18-year-old English guy named Nick Haley. Nick created the ad (his original cut is above) back in September as a homage to Apple's new iPod, and it looks like someone in Cupertino noticed (or at least someone on Madison Avenue).
This might be old news to most of you, but I hadn't heard it and it's a good story. Apple has a reputation for getting their advertising from other sources, and it's nice to see them acknowledge an ad that came from someone who really loves their products.
Special thanks to reader running for figuring this one out for us: the song used in the ad is actually the same one used in this super weird Zune ad from last year. Even when Apple is completely upfront about the origin of their ad, they can't seem to keep from colliding with competitors in the same space.
Update: Calling it the iTouch was completely accidental, and I apologize. You guys are right-- it's the iPod touch, and I'm sorry for mistaking it. I guess the word was sitting in my brain and just wanted to come out.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Russell said 9:45PM on 10-29-2007
Um.... Ok, that Zune ad is just freaking weird. I don't even get it, I'm pretty sure it gets my award for the most random thing of the year.
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Dewey said 9:53PM on 10-29-2007
I personally like the one Jobs said was still being worked on better, the one he showed at the last keynote. Did that one ever air? I never saw it. Kinda the same concept as this one however.
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Taylor said 10:07PM on 10-29-2007
That Zune ad is freaking weird. They don't even use the same portion of the song, and the iPod touch ad is much better. I highly doubt that the kid who originally made this ad even knew that it was used in a Zune ad.
I mean... has anyone even really seen a Zune ad before this? I certainly haven't, and if I did, I certainly wouldn't pay it any attention.
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Joseph said 10:11PM on 10-29-2007
It's called the iPod Touch. No one else is calling it the iTouch, and please for the love of God stop it.
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Avions said 10:18PM on 10-29-2007
Funny you say that. I stood in line for Leopard last Friday. I spent the wait with a kid who was in line for what he kept calling the "iTouch". He had no idea Apple was releasing an OS and was miffed because he was 300th in line.
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Michael Rose said 10:24PM on 10-29-2007
Could the band name get any geekier? CSS? Really.
Seriously, that Zune ad is deeply disturbing. Tells you a lot about the relative marketing approaches of the two companies...
Apple: "You are a disembodied hand in a world that's completely under your control. Imagine Thing, from the Addams Family, except without the creepy butler."
Microsoft: "You are an anthropomorphic deer on a crowded, dystopian bus. A loud, unpleasant lion befriends you and takes you to the movies and on a camping trip, but he feels it is appropriate to snack on your extremities. All of that is OK, though, because you have the connection of music."
Eyuch.
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Fernando said 10:25PM on 10-29-2007
iPod touch, not iTouch, please.
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Darwin Smith said 2:29AM on 10-30-2007
That ad really sucks. I'm surprised they chose to use it.
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Alan said 10:41PM on 10-29-2007
Actually, I've heard a lot of people call it the iTouch, and it pisses me off to no end.
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kickee said 10:46PM on 10-29-2007
That's CSS as in Cansei de Ser Sexyas in the famous-ish Brazilian indie rock band, not CSS as in Cascading Style Sheets as in geeky internet dude.
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Carlos said 10:48PM on 10-29-2007
Madison Ave?
Chiat Day (Apples Ad Agency since the famous 1984 commercial) is in California - you don't really think Apple would use a NY ad agency do you?
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vandlism said 10:50PM on 10-29-2007
iTouch, what is that? Oh! You mean the iPod touch.
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Russell said 10:53PM on 10-29-2007
Is that Lion supposed to represent Microsoft?
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Crash1105 said 11:56PM on 10-29-2007
just goes to show you what the world of microsloth has done to the average consumer at least apple uses cat names that say sleek fast and clean not microsloth come on vista means view something they dont have zune ??????? xbox what a cheesy bite on genx and last but not least office???? get an imagination microsloth stop putting out junk and try for once to come up with something original that you thought of
sorry for the rant but i read something earlier from some moron thar said vista was better than leopard wonder how much he was paid to say that
he obviously sold his soul to satan OOPs i mean redmond
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Tom Hesser said 1:06AM on 10-30-2007
Looks like Apple decided it didn't want people knowing they stole their ads from an 18 year old. The video was yanked!
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Tom Hesser said 1:07AM on 10-30-2007
My bad...I was getting a message that the video wasn't available anymore. NM
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tim said 6:57AM on 10-30-2007
OMFG!!! You called it the iTouch. It's not the iTouch!!
My god get a grip people. It's an easy slip to make, my dad does it too. Bet ya apple changes the name since it's easier to say.
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nosebag said 8:53AM on 10-30-2007
The Microsoft ad is cool - shame the zune is not..
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da-met said 9:49AM on 10-30-2007
A lot of people call it the iTouch for short. I personally like calling it the TouchPod :)
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da-met said 9:49AM on 10-30-2007
Oh, and very cool story about the ad. APparently they flew him into California where they helped him recreate the HD version of the ad we see on TV. He got the little details right, the flips and turns, and quick camera movements. Nice job dude, congrats.
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