Hello, iPhone 4 – When is it Cool to Steal Someone’s Thunder?

by Social Media Commando on June 16, 2010

Android could be taking a cue from Apple by stealing some of the iPhone 4 marketing thunder.The iPhone 4 will be the hottest release of the summer, right? Google is banking on it with a new announcement about the arrival of their latest Android phone.

See, Google is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, but they still know how to party like a startup. I have to admire their lack of ‘shame in their game’ when it comes to launching a new mobile device on the heels of Apple’s big release.

In case you haven’t heard, Google posted a statement about the new ‘Droid X‘ smartphone that is to be unveiled the day before Apple’s iPhone 4 goes on sale across the country. Apple is still married to AT&T, while the Droid X will run on Verizon.

*Techie Alert: Check out the iPhone 4 vs Droid X head to head comparison

Guerrilla Marketing is Acceptable, IF…

Your company has a kick ass product, but your competitor is the darling of the industry. They announce a cool new product, and you wait until the initial launch has died down a tad before grabbing the spotlight to reveal an even more ass kicking product (so you say).

How ethical is this?

Well, did you…

  • Disparage the competition?
  • Lie about the details of either product?
  • Use proprietary information to establish your launch date?

No? Cool, then it sounds like ‘Game On’ to me. There’s a difference between being unethical and using a little smooth to get your message across — and encourage the PR wires to pick up on the ‘Brand Battle’.

How else can you spread the word?

  • Create a Facebook Page and use their advertising program to target specific customer demographics
  • Two Words: Google AdWords
  • Feed the press, even better — a specific reporter, a good story about the big company vs. your tiny startup (David vs Goliath always makes great copy)

What do YOU think? Stealing thunder a good idea…horrible and despicable? Leave a comment below.

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