Understanding Marketing Gimmicks in Tech Branding

Key Points

• $4.7 Trillion Marketing Spend in 2025: Companies project to spend this much to capture consumer attention.
• Branding Beyond Ads: Significant marketing budgets go into branding elements like slogans, logos, and sounds.

Examples of Branding Strategies

1. AMD's Naming: The 'Ryzen' name signifies a comeback and involves strategic planning.
   • Confusing Nature by Design: Names are meant to appeal to gut feelings rather than inform.
   • Example: Ryzen 8640 vs 7736 — hard to differentiate.
2. Apple's Superlatives: Usage of terms like Ultra, Pro, Max to make products seem superior.
   • Example: Liquid Retina XDR — unclear naming.

Confusion in Product Naming

1. AMD's Mobile Processors: Incomprehensible naming scheme; difficult to know product capabilities.
   • Requires an independent Wikipedia section.
   • Example: Architecture number ≠ performance.
2. Intel's Naming: Also confusing with elements like HX, HK, H, P for power targets and integrated graphics.
3. Comparative Failure: Why incorrect naming can hurt brand loyalty.

Impact on Consumers

1. Misleading Purchases: Trusting 'bigger number is better' can lead to bad buys.
2. Role of Consumer Education: Important but complex and time-consuming.
3. Manufacturers’ Role: Need for truthful, clear branding for long-term loyalty.
   • Example: Rebasing old products as new should come with long-term support.

Final Thoughts

• Industry Standards: Need for better industry practices to avoid deceptive marketing.
• Consumer Protection: Encouraging regulatory measures and self-education.