In the wake of Steve Jobs’ death, I’ve been reflecting on his role, not only as a revitalizing force in a once distressed company, but as an architect of our society.  He managed to shift people’s understanding of technology and its role in human edification.  How did he do this?  Jobs coupled superior products with a user-friendly brand that people could identify with.  Under his gaze, technology became not just a means to greater productivity and efficiencies, but a tool that could better our very existence.  At Marketfish we strive for something similar, to deliver a platform that effectively rearranges people’s perceptions of the list marketing industry.  So, while reading one of the hundreds of articles addressing Jobs’ death, it dawned on me that some striking comparisons exist between Apple and Marketfish.  Here’s how we stack up:

• Reinvigorating an Entire Industry: Over the last 10 years, Apple reshaped the technology industry.  In a cluttered and competitive market, Apple maintains their focus and consistently delivers clean, simple, and user-friendly technology solutions.  Similarly, Marketfish is taking on the vast world of list marketing.  In an industry where there are a countless number of outlets for obtaining marketing lists, Marketfish decided to shake up the game. Our simple, easy to use platform puts the power in the advertisers’ hands.  Marketers now have tools that revolutionize their ability to manage and analyze their email marketing campaigns.  What was once a clunky and inefficient industry, is now sleek and intuitive.
• Premium Product: Apple prices their products noticeably higher than their competitors.  There are plenty of less expensive PC alternatives out there, so why do so many people buy Apple computers?  Because it’s a great product!  Their computers offer superior performance, great design, and ample support for any technical issues. Similarly, with Marketfish, there are many alternatives for buying or renting lists.  So why choose Marketfish?  Our partnerships with brand name lists like Tennis Magazine allow us to ensure the highest quality and performance for our advertisers.  When you work with Marketfish, you also have access to our creative and marketing talent.  These gurus can guide you through every step of the campaign process, offering feedback and assistance at any time.
• The Cool Factor: Apple has that “X” factor.  Sure, their products are great, everything is user friendly, and the performance is top notch.  But Apple’s obvious cool factor is a little harder to evaluate.  Their brand occupies an incredible amount of consumer mind share, and it’s all related to their impeccable design.  Their products are so appealing and intuitive that users are unavoidably drawn in.  Here at Marketfish, the first thing customers always tell me is, “Wow, I love this design.” Our multi-talented Creative Director, Jonathan Chicquette, uses his skills to create a sleek platform that delivers a seamless user experience.

We strongly stand behind our product, and firmly believe that we have a platform that will change the list marketing industry forever.  If you feel the same way, or just want to share your thoughts, please leave a comment.