AppleMasters

Apple Masters was launched in 1996, conceived and managed by Kanwal Sharma to resurrect the then dying Apple brand. The global participants were iconic thought leaders from a diverse field of educators, artists, designers, writers, producers, architects, inventors, scientists, business leaders, humanitarians, musicians, athletes, and others who Think different."[1]

At the launch event in Cupertino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUu1BYi_WuA participants included, Muhammad Ali, Gregory Hines, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sinbad, Michael Crichton, Howard Bingham, Douglas Adams, Harry Marks, Jim Ludtke, Dana Atchley, Russell Brown, Dr Mae Jemison, Tom Clancy, Michael Kamen, Richard Dreyfuss, Dr Murray Gell Man, Dr Donald Glaser, shared how the Mac played a pivotal role in their endeavors to changes the status quo and push the human race forward.

This was not a sponsorship, participants were not paid any fees, the fact that they gave their time without any financial gain, is a testament to their values, and a belief in what Apple's brand and products meant to them. The cause marketing program was launched in Australia, London and Asia, bridging cultures using technology as a catalyst for social change.

The Apple Masters campaign leveraged the celebrity and charisma of influential Macintosh users. Participants such as Richard Dreyfuss, Muhammad Ali, and Geoff Goldblum, participated in Apple’s Think Different campaign and iconic product launches including iMac, iBook, MacBook Pro, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie that helped Apple rebuild its luster.

Sadly some of these crazy geniuses are no longer with us, but their impact on human endeavor will be long felt. In quoting Apple Master Douglas Adams "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish".