Marketing Strategy of Apple Inc

Apple Inc. is an American multinational company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. 

The company is widely recognized for its constant work on technology innovation. Apple’s main business depends on specialization in manufacturing, producing, developing, improving, and selling software, smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices. In 2004, the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct was established to ensure suppliers meet their standards for labor and human rights, health and safety, and environmental responsibility.

Situation Analysis

Apple has a strong brand image and reputation, innovative technology, and a strong financial position. However, the company faces challenges such as high prices of products, dependence on a limited number of suppliers, and intense competition in the technology industry. Apple can take advantage of opportunities such as expansion into emerging markets, development of new products and services, and strategic alliances and partnerships to continue to grow and innovate.

Strengths:

• Strong brand image and reputation
• Consistent customer growth and high customer retention rate
• Innovative and cutting-edge technology
• Strong financial position with a market cap of $2.676 trillion

Weaknesses:

• High prices of products
• Dependence on a limited number of suppliers
• Limited product line compared to competitors

Opportunities:

• Expansion into emerging markets
• Development of new products and services
• Strategic alliances and partnerships

Threats:

• Intense competition in the technology industry
• Rapid technological changes
• Supply chain disruptions

Marketing Goals of Apple Company

Apple’s marketing goals include growing sales and market share, increasing market share from 10% to 20% in the next 3 years, introducing new variants of the iPhone, retaining current customers while building new relationships with future customers, focusing on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products, and creating products for their target market.

These goals are in line with Apple’s overall strategy of innovation and quality leadership.

Marketing Goals of Apple Company:

1. Grow sales and market share
2. Increase market share from 10% to 20% in the next 3 years
3. Introduce new variants of the iPhone
4. Retain current customers while building new relationships with future customers
5. Focus on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products
6. Create products for their target market, loyal customers that believe make these products life better, easier, more fun, and cooler

Apple’s Target Audience

Apple’s target audience consists of middle-class and upper-class users who can pay higher for products that provide them with an incredible user experience.

The typical Apple customer profile is of middle to high economic status, enjoys the small luxuries in life, and appreciates technology and design. Apple primarily markets its devices and services toward young professionals and college students, with a focus on hip and trendy marketing. The company’s products are more popular among females than males.

Apple’s target audience varies depending on the particular product, for example, teenagers, college and university students, and business people.

Target Audience of Apple Company:

• Middle-class and upper-class users who can pay higher for products that provide them with an incredible user experience
• Younger to middle-aged consumers
• Females more than males
• Well-off individuals who are willing to pay extra for technology products and services with advanced design, functions, and capabilities
• Teenagers
• College and university students
• Business people

Marketing Strategy

Apple’s marketing strategy is based on creating an experience ecosystem, fostering a community of evangelists, organizing sales and marketing by customer, not product, and controlling the message. The company focuses on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products, which is the combination of well-designed products with the right user experience, promotional campaigns, distribution, and pricing.

Apple uses digital marketing, experiential marketing, and influencer marketing to reach its target audience. The company also focuses on an attractive value proposition and product placement (especially with celebrities and in popular shows) and the buzz created by positive reviews in the media. Overall, Apple’s marketing strategy is centered around creating a unique and memorable experience for its customers and building a loyal community of brand evangelists.

Marketing Strategy of Apple:

1. Create an experience ecosystem
2. Foster a community of evangelists
3. Organize sales and marketing by customer, not product
4. Control the message
5. Focus on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products
6. Use digital marketing, experiential marketing, and influencer marketing
7. Focus on attractive value proposition
8. Product placement (especially with celebrities and in popular shows) and the buzz created by positive reviews in the media

Marketing Budget of Apple Company

Apple’s marketing budget varies from year to year, depending on the company’s marketing and advertising strategy. According to sources:

Apple spent $1.8 billion on advertising, marketing, and promotions in 2020. This figure includes all marketing and promotional materials, not just advertising alone. As reported by Statista, In 2022, Apple generated $4.7 billion with its global advertising business. 

Apple spent $64.8 million on paid search ads in 2020, ranking 12th overall among Fortune 100 companies. According to, Apple spent over $100 million on advertising in digital, print, and national TV in the last year. However, Apple stopped sharing how much it spends on advertising in 2016. According to, Apple’s advertising business is now worth over $3.7 billion per year, having grown by 238% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Overall, Apple’s marketing budget is significant, with billions of dollars spent on advertising, marketing, and promotions. The company invests in premium ad units and advertised on over 250 platforms. Apple’s advertising business is growing, and the company is expanding its presence in advertising as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams.

Marketing Tactics of Apple Company

Apple’s marketing tactics include creating mystery around products and initiatives, figuring out exactly how to appeal to customers, creating unique buying channels, and product placement.

The company avoids sales promotions and instead focuses on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products. Apple uses storytelling through advertising to create an emotional connection with its customers and foster a community of brand evangelists.

The company uses minimum advertised price (MAP) to control pricing and uses print and media advertising and personal selling in Apple Stores. Overall, Apple’s marketing tactics are centered around creating a unique and memorable experience for its customers and building a loyal community of brand evangelists.

Marketing Tactics of Apple Company:

1. Create mystery around products and initiatives
2. Figure out exactly how to appeal to customers
3. Create unique buying channels
4. Product placement
5. Avoid sales promotions
6. Focus on the Unique Value Proposition (UVP) of Apple products
7. Use storytelling through advertising
8. Foster a community of brand evangelists
9. Use minimum advertised price (MAP) to control pricing
10. Use print and media advertising and personal selling in Apple Stores

Measurement and Evaluation

Apple’s marketing strategy can be evaluated using marketing metrics such as memory metrics, behavioral metrics, financial metrics, customer profile metrics, and physical availability metrics.

Financial metrics such as sales, market share, revenue, net income, diluted earnings per share, and gross margin can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of Apple’s marketing strategy. 

Apple’s focus on its Unique Value Proposition (UVP), captivating visuals, and product placement are also important aspects of its marketing strategy. 

Using an established methodology to evaluate marketing effectiveness can help companies accurately measure performance and assess business needs. 

A comprehensive analysis of Apple’s marketing situation can be generated using strategic frameworks such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis, Ansoff Matrix, and McKinsey 7S Model. 

Overall, Apple’s marketing strategy can be evaluated using a combination of financial metrics, marketing metrics, and strategic frameworks to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.