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The CEO of Apple visited India to inaugurate the launch of the first flagship stores of Apple in India.
To create buzz around the recent Apple store launch in India, it seems like Tim did cook up a wave of organic coverage and earned media that transcended beyond the conventional reporting of technology and general news publishers for any major multinational technology company. This resulted in wider reach for the store launch.
Apple BKC, Mumbai
The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible! We are so excited to open Apple BKC — our first store in India. pic.twitter.com/talx2ZQEMl
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2023
Apple Saket, Delhi
What an incredible reception, Delhi, thank you! We’re delighted to welcome our customers to our newest store—Apple Saket! pic.twitter.com/5Jmi79ixzl
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 20, 2023
His visit to India turned out to be successful for launching its first flagship store in Mumbai. The launch received tons of organic coverage from more regional and global publishers too.
This coverage was over and above the conventional reporting from general and technology news publishers. It covered Tim Cook's whole expedition in India and built brand equity for Apple products.
2023 has already been the best year for Apple in India according to the shipment statistics, and the public image of the brand's products being a status symbol attracted substantial footfall to the store, which was further bolstered by the CEO.
"Apple BKC is a reflection of Mumbai’s vibrant culture and brings together the best of Apple in a beautiful, welcoming space for connection and community", said Deirdre O’Brien, Senior VP - Retail.
The Adventures Of Tim (Tim)
Tim Cook's journey remained truly local. Rather than Americanizing the Indian, he Indianized the American. Right from the promotional images dawning our cultural nuances, the people and places he brought forth also offered authenticity.
He visited the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy and conversed with Dattaraj Naik, Mural Artist at Lodhi Art District highlighting the creative process of designing murals on Apple products. This was followed by a stop at the Akanksha Foundation School where teachers and members of the educational institution remain hard at work to educate the underprivileged.
I met the most incredible group of students and teachers at an Akanksha Foundation school, where children that might not have otherwise had the opportunity are given the chance to reach for their dreams. These students embody perseverance and hope! We’re proud to support them. pic.twitter.com/jFBWLGdqtP
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 19, 2023
I really enjoyed seeing the many ways that Kiddopia is helping preschoolers learn! And Sandeep Ranade from Naadsadhana gave such a moving performance of the song Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. The vibrant developer community here in India is making such an impact on the world! pic.twitter.com/ja7wDrN92t
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2023
A game of badminton with the ace athletes Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kidambi, Chirag Shetty, Parupalli Kashyap, and Coach Gopichand was also on the books. Along with that, his activities included finding out how Kiddopia helps preschoolers learn, and getting moved by the performance of Sandeep Ranade from Naadsadhana of the song Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.
Great meeting Coach Gopichand and badminton champions Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kidambi, Chirag Shetty, and Parupalli Kashyap, who have played a part in putting badminton on the map for India. We served, smashed, and talked about how Apple Watch helps them train! 🏸⌚️ pic.twitter.com/C9dghWK6XO
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2023
Connecting With Celebrities
Tim's journey in India started with a stop at Swati Snacks paired with the Maharashtrian snack, in the company of the iconic actress Madhuri Dixit Nene. This meet-up and a match-viewing session with Sonam Kapoor Ahuja triggered coverage on entertainment and film-industry-specific publishers and pages.
Madhuri Dixit Nene X Tim Cook X Swati Snacks
Can’t think of a better welcome to Mumbai than Vada Pav! pic.twitter.com/ZA7TuDfUrv
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) April 17, 2023
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja X Tim Cook X IPL
@tim_cook and entire @apple team - we hope you’ve had a lovely stay here and leave encouraged and positive on Apple’s outlook in the country. We’re so grateful for the care and attention you’ve given to creating your signature world class experience here. 🙏 🤗 cc @anandahuja pic.twitter.com/Ph8nfvKorr
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) April 20, 2023
Bonding With Businesses
When Tim tweeted an image of his meeting with Madhuri, Pooja Dhingra, Founder & CEO, Le15 Patisserie greeted Tim with an offer to scoop some desserts at her bakery, and Tim did not miss out on this opportunity.
It was a treat to spend time in Pooja’s kitchen. Her passion for baking and the business she’s created is a reminder of what’s possible when you follow your dreams. Great to see how she uses iPhone and Mac in her creative process. Best macaron I’ve ever had! https://t.co/pMcBxXJK4x pic.twitter.com/IZSpcihZow
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023
Over the course of this trip, Tim bonded with several businesses and developers, including Hitwicket, a cricket app, Prayoga, an AR-based yoga app, and LookUp, a dictionary app.
It’s great to see so many developers across India pursuing their passion and sharing their ideas with users around the world. I had the pleasure of meeting Hitwicket, India’s top-rated cricket app, Prayoga, an AR-based yoga app, and LookUp, an easy to use dictionary app! 🏏 🧘 📖 pic.twitter.com/f6zGfv2dMA
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023
Conversations With Creators
Conversations with creators amplified the use of Apple products such as iPhones and Macbooks for artistic creations and its impact on the quality of creative output. The creators, having some of the biggest follower and subscriber bases, also created and posted a slate of content, whether its video properties in the creators' native style or the ones that contribute to the #ShotOniPhone online movement.
Tim Cook X Technical Guruji
Tim Cook X Mali Manoj, Music Artist
Thank you to the enormously talented @Malimanojmusic for showing me all the ways you’re using Apple products to create music—from songwriting with iPhone to developing unique beats on MacBook Pro. I loved the sneak peek of your new song in Spatial Audio! pic.twitter.com/AOpYLeTFv6
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 19, 2023
Tim Cook X Arati Kadav
"The Astronaut and His Parrot” is a story of hope and connection. Today, I met one of India's best sci-fi filmmakers @AratiKadav, who created this beautiful award-winning short film using only her iPhone and MacBook Pro. pic.twitter.com/QzxCh3tMqc
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023
Tim Cook X Apeksha Maker & Joshua Karthik
These amazing rangoli and kolam designs are so vibrant and beautiful. Flower petals, rice, and colored sand weaved together in perfect harmony—then captured brilliantly on iPhone by Apeksha Maker and Joshua Karthik in these photos. #ShotOniPhone pic.twitter.com/peFPWUbI3f
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 21, 2023
Organic Coverage
This expedition and the fan-driven instances led to a wave of memes, and creator content, along with global, national, and regional publishers.
Memes
Global Coverage
Creator Content
Tim Cook's visit to India helped Indian audiences connect with the man behind the brand, Indianizing Apple further.