• 34 Comments
  • February 19th 2007

The iPod and cigarettes

This is one of those random rants I’m allowed to have every once and a while thoughts that came to mind, bear with me.

The iPod and cigarettes:

Both tell a story visually.

They represent a counter-culture.

Both are items of limited access. Legal smoking age and high-price point of iPods, must be old enough and must be rich enough.

Ironically, both are white in colour (for the most part).

Some would say equally addictive.

Many can’t live without either for an elongated period of time.

Both instantly include you into exclusive social clubs.

Influential teenagers are the advertising target of both products.

Both products advertise themselves while in use; cigarettes via smoking, iPod via headphones.

Coincidences? I think not.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Eric

    I would argue that the majority of smokers are broke, and broke because of it.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Eric

    I would argue that the majority of smokers are broke, and broke because of it.

  • http://www.letutor.com/lessons Aaron

    I agree Eric. If you added up how much an average smoker spends per year on cigarettes, related illness, work hours lost, etc.. I’m amazed that anyone can afford to smoke.

    I would argue one counter point that Ipods don’t kill the user or those around them.

  • http://www.letutor.com/lessons Aaron

    I agree Eric. If you added up how much an average smoker spends per year on cigarettes, related illness, work hours lost, etc.. I’m amazed that anyone can afford to smoke.

    I would argue one counter point that Ipods don’t kill the user or those around them.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    I agree with both of you.

    Price wise, I didn’t mean to compare the products in that regard. I think both are prime examples of edgecraft in a positive and negative way.

    Are Philip Morris and Apple working on a cross promotion? Of course not. But cigarettes are an icon of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations while the iPod is of ours.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    I agree with both of you.

    Price wise, I didn’t mean to compare the products in that regard. I think both are prime examples of edgecraft in a positive and negative way.

    Are Philip Morris and Apple working on a cross promotion? Of course not. But cigarettes are an icon of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations while the iPod is of ours.

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    A lot of people use cigarettes to get away form life - I feel bad for the poor people with horrible lives who would like to have a cigarette to take the edge off but can’t because they’re broke.

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    A lot of people use cigarettes to get away from life for at least one minute- I feel bad for the poor people with horrible lives who would like to have a cigarette to take the edge off but can’t because they’re broke.

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    A lot of people use cigarettes to get away form life - I feel bad for the poor people with horrible lives who would like to have a cigarette to take the edge off but can’t because they’re broke.

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    A lot of people use cigarettes to get away from life for at least one minute- I feel bad for the poor people with horrible lives who would like to have a cigarette to take the edge off but can’t because they’re broke.

  • http://www.wantsy.com Robert Dewey

    I don’t get it… What’s the “rant”? This blog entry makes some pretty valid points and is far from ranting, IMO. Ranting is a term that applies to blog entries that degenerate into pure bitching from the author.

    I agree with the basic premise that Apple has an awesome marketing tactic on their hands… It’s a good thing that’s it’s healthy to use :)

  • http://www.wantsy.com Robert Dewey

    I don’t get it… What’s the “rant”? This blog entry makes some pretty valid points and is far from ranting, IMO. Ranting is a term that applies to blog entries that degenerate into pure bitching from the author.

    I agree with the basic premise that Apple has an awesome marketing tactic on their hands… It’s a good thing that’s it’s healthy to use :)

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Good point Jenny.

    So do you think in the future that the true face of iPods will equate to that of cigarettes present day?

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Good point Jenny.

    So do you think in the future that the true face of iPods will equate to that of cigarettes present day?

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Robert,
    Call it a rant or frost from a mid-morning brain freeze, I just found it somewhat interesting how the two relate in the dominent sense of marketing and visual branding.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Robert,
    Call it a rant or frost from a mid-morning brain freeze, I just found it somewhat interesting how the two relate in the dominent sense of marketing and visual branding.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Eric

    Very interesting comparison, and I in no way was alluding to the fact that Apple and PM are in bed together.

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Eric

    Very interesting comparison, and I in no way was alluding to the fact that Apple and PM are in bed together.

  • http://kasrak.com Kasra

    You make some interesting points, I definitely wouldn’t call this a rant.

  • http://www.wantsy.com Robert Dewey

    I suppose you can call it whatever you want, but I usually go by the dictionary ;)

  • http://kasrak.com Kasra

    You make some interesting points, I definitely wouldn’t call this a rant.

  • http://www.wantsy.com Robert Dewey

    I suppose you can call it whatever you want, but I usually go by the dictionary ;)

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    The two are definitely iconic of different generationsand eras - Travis, as far as iPods equating to cigarettes present day I can see youths using them as an escape - and its nice there are lower priced models of ipods - I know some of my younger students that I teach part itme ( as young as 10) came in with nano’s strapped to their belts… purchased by their parents’ - I Don’t know if my parents would buy me a carton of Marlboros… It almost seems the ipods appeal is a little farther reaching and more socially acceptable. Price points don’t seem to be a big issue with the lower end models that they offer such as the shuffle or nanos for about $140 - It seems in order to be cool with the tweens you need 2 things: pods and heelys. You are most definitely right- Both products are very clever in their marketing appeal and advertising savvy.

  • http://buza.wordpress.com Jenny

    The two are definitely iconic of different generationsand eras - Travis, as far as iPods equating to cigarettes present day I can see youths using them as an escape - and its nice there are lower priced models of ipods - I know some of my younger students that I teach part itme ( as young as 10) came in with nano’s strapped to their belts… purchased by their parents’ - I Don’t know if my parents would buy me a carton of Marlboros… It almost seems the ipods appeal is a little farther reaching and more socially acceptable. Price points don’t seem to be a big issue with the lower end models that they offer such as the shuffle or nanos for about $140 - It seems in order to be cool with the tweens you need 2 things: pods and heelys. You are most definitely right- Both products are very clever in their marketing appeal and advertising savvy.

  • http://www.netbusinessblog.com Matt Coddington

    Now we just need a cigarette-dispensing iPod. 4GB and 10 cigs storage space.

  • http://www.netbusinessblog.com Matt Coddington

    Now we just need a cigarette-dispensing iPod. 4GB and 10 cigs storage space.

  • http://www.letutor.com/lessons Aaron

    Do you ever think that Plugging in your I Pod will ever replace lighting up a smoke in a movie?

    Like post sex they roll over and put on their I pods and cuddle?

    The cool guy puts on his I pod as he says something witty?

    Or the bad guy puts on his I Pod before he does something bad?

  • http://www.letutor.com/lessons Aaron

    Do you ever think that Plugging in your I Pod will ever replace lighting up a smoke in a movie?

    Like post sex they roll over and put on their I pods and cuddle?

    The cool guy puts on his I pod as he says something witty?

    Or the bad guy puts on his I Pod before he does something bad?

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Good questions Aaron.

    Ten years from now, will the iPod or whatever Apple’s next iProducts are, surpass the cameo count of cigarettes?

  • http://www.younggogetter.com/ Travis

    Good questions Aaron.

    Ten years from now, will the iPod or whatever Apple’s next iProducts are, surpass the cameo count of cigarettes?

  • http://www.soundimages.com Amy

    I hope that they one day make a movie Thank You For I-Podding, because the smoking version of the movie was wonderful. We’ll get to explore the product placement of ipods and how there are lobbyists in Washington trying to get Congress members to endorse an Apple monopoly. Call Aaron Ekhart…I think we’ve got something…

  • http://www.soundimages.com Amy

    I hope that they one day make a movie Thank You For I-Podding, because the smoking version of the movie was wonderful. We’ll get to explore the product placement of ipods and how there are lobbyists in Washington trying to get Congress members to endorse an Apple monopoly. Call Aaron Ekhart…I think we’ve got something…

  • http://customcigs.blogspot.com/ clarence walker

    If more would smoke cigarettes with a better aroma, there would be far less bitching by those nearby. While not advocating smoking, if one chooses to smoke they can at least smoke cigarettes that provide a truly delicious flavor, aftertaste and pleasurable aroma. With the discovery of premium tobaccos and the pleasure, not to mention HUGE savings, of making their own custom cigarettes with the inexpensive and simple tools and blends now available, they would also find that they actuall smoke far less. Custom blended cigarettes are so much better that one simply finds satisfaction with far fewer smokes and NO additives. Visit us at http://customcigs.blogspot.com/ NOT a commercial site.

  • http://customcigs.blogspot.com/ clarence walker

    If more would smoke cigarettes with a better aroma, there would be far less bitching by those nearby. While not advocating smoking, if one chooses to smoke they can at least smoke cigarettes that provide a truly delicious flavor, aftertaste and pleasurable aroma. With the discovery of premium tobaccos and the pleasure, not to mention HUGE savings, of making their own custom cigarettes with the inexpensive and simple tools and blends now available, they would also find that they actuall smoke far less. Custom blended cigarettes are so much better that one simply finds satisfaction with far fewer smokes and NO additives. Visit us at http://customcigs.blogspot.com/ NOT a commercial site.