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Creative, I won't say "I told you so..."
Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, 11:46 p.m.
"IT WAS a sleepless night for Li Guoli, 13, who camped out at Creative Technology's Jurong East headquarters for 14 hours so he would be among the first few to get a free Creative Zen Micro MP3 player.
The Creative deal was a free Zen Micro in exchange for an iPod for the first five in line when Creative's warehouse sale opened yesterday at 11am.
Guoli led a queue of 20 people who came early to do the trade-in. The Secondary 1 student said: 'I just bought this iPod Mini at Sim Lim Square last week, but I've used it a lot of times. But I thought I'll exchange it for the Zen Micro as it's smaller, and I like to try new things.'
'I'm very excited as it's a good exchange. I paid $464 for my iPod Mini,' he added.
Another happy customer was undergraduate Chris Chua, 23, who said: 'My iPod is already three years old. The Zen Micro is newer, smaller and has a better battery life.'
He, Guoli and three others got a free Zen Micro MP3 player worth $529. The rest who wanted to trade in their iPod for the Zen Micro paid discounted prices starting from $99.
By the time the shutters came down at 7pm, Creative had collected 20 iPods.
Mr Sim Wong Hoo, Creative chief executive officer, said: 'I'm pleased with the outcome and it was as we expected. We will put the iPods to productive and meaningful use, like for marketing comparison. We are not afraid to compare!'
Apple Singapore declined to comment on Creative's publicity stunt.
For those who missed out on the free Zen Micros, the party is not over yet.
Creative is running an online contest at its website sg.creative.com contestzen.asp
The top prize is a collector's set of Zen Micros, in all 10 colours, autographed by Mr Sim.
The well-advertised trade-in offer comes on the heels of a combative Creative attacking the Apple iPod's dominant share of the global MP3 player market. Creative recently announced a US$100 million (S$166 million) budget to out-market Apple worldwide. "
- The Straits Times (Nov 20)
I wonder what happens if Apple did a "Trade in a Zen Micro for a free iPod mini!" I bet you'll get... 20,000 people?? Even when the Zen Micro costs $100 more than the iPod mini!!
Oh, and here's my favourite part: "Mr Sim Wong Hoo, Creative chief executive officer, said: 'I'm pleased with the outcome and it was as we expected. We will put the iPods to productive and meaningful use, like for marketing comparison. We are not afraid to compare!'" Means 2 things: 1. They admitted they can't beat Apple. 2. They're scared to compare.
Creative, you're not gonna make it... Even Inexus' Portable Video Player can thrash the Creative Zen PMC hands down!
- Daniel
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