Steve Jobs, iconic Apple executive, went through a peculiar situation in his career when famous director Michael Bay showed interest in including the iPod in the “Transformers” film franchise.
At that time, Apple already had a habit of allowing its products to appear in series and films, as long as they were in line with the standards established by Jobs to preserve the brand’s reputation.
Under Jobs’ visionary leadership, Apple experienced a remarkable renaissance, fueled by revolutionary products like the iMac and the legendary iPod, which were instrumental in the transition from physical music to the digital age.
O The success of the iPod was so impactful that streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music would not be what they are today without its influence.
So it was only natural that many would want to incorporate Apple’s iconic music player into their productions.
Apple x ‘Transformers’
However, the “Transformers” case triggered a surprising and even explosive reaction from Jobs.
During the filming of the first film in the franchise, in 2007, director Michael Bay considered the idea of one of the characters displaying an iPod, in order to convey a modern and connected image.
The mere mention of including the iPod in the film prompted Steve Jobs to personally contact Bay. Jobs was known for his dedication to every detail related to Apple products and the company’s reputation.
He was furious and apprehensive, as he considered the “Transformers” franchise a waste of time and money, and he did not want Apple to be associated with it.
Consequently, in the “Transformers” franchise films, the characters ended up using Nokia-branded devices instead of Apple’s acclaimed iPod, as mentioned in an article on the Internet Movie Database.
This anecdote illustrates Steve Jobs’ passion and tireless determination to constantly protect Apple’s image and reputation. And indeed, Nokia’s devices don’t seem to have been as successful as Apple’s…
