The iPad Madness in the Netherlands

From the adverts that come through the post, one that surprised me was from one of the leading dailies; the NRC Handelsblad. It aims at young, well-educated (graduate) readers in the 20-39 age group, most of whom currently do not read a newspaper, or only read the free tabloids Metro and Spits.

The newspaper is intended for "the new generation of interested media-users who use news and information in a different way", according to NRC executive editor Folkert Jensma. The news is delivered in concise format, because it is assumed that the readers have already picked up the basics from other sources. For the same reason, some news items are not covered at all. Background, analysis and opinion are thus the main focus of the paper. It is "a newspaper for people who don't read paid newspapers." It costs one euro and ten cents, less than other paid newspapers. Regular readers can take a weekday subscription, or they can opt for a subscription for ofnrc•next on weekdays and the NRC Handelsblad on Saturday. (Wikipedia). New subscribers earn themselves an iPad. One can chose which one; a mini or iPad 4th generation!

The NRC handelsblad newspaper 

The iPad Mini

I found a sense of madness and desire for the iPad in the Netherlands. it seems to be the gadget of appeal today and it is across all generations. The iPad mini is very common with the youth. On the trains, bus, metro and trams, you find most of them very busy with the gadget. Human conversation is almost non existent. 

In most promotions, the deals are sweetened with an iPad for the winner or new subscriber. A few days ago, my front doorbell rung, I went to open and found a guy promoting Oxxio energy company. The deal was changing from a competing energy provider (supplying gas and electricity) to theirs. They were willing to pay the fine (of about 200Eur) for leaving before the contract was over in addition to offering a free iPad 4th generation (the latest).

Meanwhile, as I was looking through the folders that are delivered during the weekend, I again saw a promotion where buying yourself a sofa set earns you an iPad!  Purchase of a sofa set over 1000Eur, you get an iPad 4th generation, 16GB. (see advert below)

Advert in a folder promoting sofa sets with iPad

In the same package of folders, I found the one below. It was from the organization that packs folders and distributes them at our houses. This one was saying you scan on the QR code using a smart phone to take you to their website where you are supposed to vote on the best folder among the ones they deliver. For those who answer the questions, there is a chance of winning an iPad!