Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sony Walkman Vs. Apple iPod

I find it very interesting that it took Sony thirty years to sell 385 million Walkmans, but Apple has sold more than 210 million iPods worldwide in only eight years.

Not only does that mean that Apple will surpass Sony's peak in another year or so, but it also means that Sony didn't maximize on their potential. At this rate, in thirty years, Apple will have sold nearly one billion iPods.

In my opinion, the Walkman of the 80's and 90's only appealed to younger people. I think that Sony made the mistake of assuming that only teenagers would be interested, and marketing mostly to that group.

Apple, however, figured out early to make the iPod appeal to many generations. It appeals to teenagers and adults, including many seniors. This is why Apple has been able to gain so much market share in so little time.

Even more, Apple figured out how to take a consumer group and expand it. In other words, they managed to get people to buy iPods who didn't previously buy portable music players.

Now, Sony who dominated that market for 20+ years, is struggling to catch up as they attempt to introduce new lines of MP3 players.

Sadly, they will probably end up retiring the "Walkman" brand. I believe that one day they will regain a market share, but I think it will take a new brand and a new marketing strategy.

3 comments:

  1. And the new line of walkmans suck! They'd do well, if they make the models updatable (if that's a word.)

    LOL

    Still I prefer the Zune to iPod

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  2. Whats with the bashing of the Walkman brand?
    It's sold over 380 million products - this shows that it's a massive brand that ANY business would be jealous of.

    Do you think the iPod will be the hottest
    product forever? It appears to me that you're just a trend follower rather than looking at the longer term business implications.

    The iPod is the leader of the market (and rightly so due to the simple interface, large capacity, the visual attractivness and as you say; the appeal to many generations), however, as I'm sure you can appreciation by reading Walkman's history - a company will not stay ontop forever.

    I think that you're article is too critical of the Walkman brand.

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  3. perhaps its becuase alot of people had hang-ups about buying japanese, and needed something american. just like ps3 and xbox360. etc it's more exceptable.

    not to me tho i always buy sony music gear its superior

    ReplyDelete