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Buying a Clue (7/30/98)
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Okay, so the coupon book was undeniably lame. CompUSA offering iMac buyers a $5 discount on a 50-pack of floppy disks probably ranks as one of the most atrocious marketing gaffes in the history of the computer industry. Still, there are signs of real marketing afoot...
Several AtAT viewers have written in to say that they've heard the new CompUSA radio ad that touts the awesome speed and unbeatable industrial design of the iMac. Reports are popping up all over (such as at MacCentral) indicating that the iMac will be featured quite prominently in the Sunday circulars for the next two weekends. (After that, though, all bets are off.) Various banners and posters are also going up, to help raise awareness of Apple's new machine. And on the 15th, the iMac's intro date, CompUSA plans to hold a big hype event, similar to what happened when Windows 98 was finally released a month or so ago.
If you're an AtAT viewer who's actually a frustrated TV actor trapped in the body of a Mac geek, you may want to be at your local CompUSA on the day of the big launch. Given how much press the iMac's gotten over the last two and a half months since the revelation of the system, it's a pretty safe bet that at least a few camera crews from the local news shows will turn up to grab some footage. Now's your chance to plan your attention-stealing media hijacking. When you force your way on camera, remember: always smile, and don't reveal your bare rump to thousands of viewers unless: 1) it's absolutely necessary in order to save a human life; 2) the situation dictates that it's an artistically valid means of self-expression; or 3) you really, really want to. Words to live by, kiddies.
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SceneLink (900)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 7/30/98 episode: July 30, 1998: What's this? Apple has reportedly stopped production of its entire product line in order to devote all its resources to crank out iMac after iMac. Meanwhile, Compaq and Radio Shack win the first annual "CompUSA and Apple Retail Lookalike Contest," while CompUSA prepares iMac ad campaigns a little less dorky than that inexplicable coupon book...
Other scenes from that episode: 898: Cramming for Finals (7/30/98) While reminiscing about the heady days of college, your AtAT staff members recall the adrenaline-and-caffeine-drenched thrill of skipping class all semester long, only to spend the last nine days before the final permanently camped out in the 24-hour coffee house, desperately trying to cram three or four months' worth of learning into a week and a half before exam time... 899: Anything Seem Familiar? (7/30/98) We're pretty sure there isn't a single soul tuning in to watch this show who isn't aware at how the rest of the PC industry tends to treat Apple as a free source of excellent research and development...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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