John S. Rajeski, Ed.D.

U2’s surprise album release as a part of Apple’s Launch Event could signify a number of variables ranging from iTunes hitting the decline phase of the product life-cycle (which based on declining downloads of music is a valid argument); a major push for a band whose seemingly now (based on early reviews) plateaued with the release of their last two albums; a marketing ploy whereas the band is going to release a quick follow-up exclusive _____ via iTunes in conjunction with launching a major world tour; a sign of a firm that’s running short of new / innovative marketing ideas; something else; and/or all of the above. Whatever the case may be, giving away 500 million copies of an album (however, mediocre the reviews) to an act of U2’s stature (even if their star is waning) cost Apple no small amount of money… and, if what’s behind the curtain is either already revealed or is still pending the firm is clearly using star-power to launch products – which is a far-cry from how far they’ve come since their 1984 ad.