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Last week on this blog, I discussed how Apple had closed the market capitalization gap with Microsoft. I attributed much of this reversal of fortunes to a difference in vision. A few days later on the CNET blog, Chris Matyszczyk offered another interesting perspective on what effect the advertising for both companies contributed to the headway that Apple has made against Microsoft.

Chris makes some excellent points about the contrasting marketing approaches for both companies, and he concludes the disparity in success between Apple and Microsoft has much to do with the advertising. However, Chis redefines advertising by saying the best advertising Apple has in its arsenal are its products. I applaud him for that conclusion, and I think it gets back to the same point I was making about the difference in vision. Part of the reason Apple’s advertising and marketing are great is because they are built around a wonderful strategy and vision with the customer experience at its core. That type of outstanding customer interface creates considerable word-of-mouth advertising, which most people know is the most powerful marketing in the world. According to Satmetrix, Apple has an amazing 2009 net promoter score (NPS) of 77!

Add it up, and it is easy to see why great vision, advertising, and products at Apple have created successful marketing results.