Apple debuted a touchscreen tablet computer yesterday, following months of building fervor and anticipation. By the time Steve Jobs took the stage at the iPad event, the rumor mill had hit a frenzied pitch and it was almost impossible to travel the Web without stumbling over counterfeits and alleged leaks.

Now, Apple’s hype machine is like a well-oiled Rube Goldberg. Steve Jobs is notorious for demanding secrecy and retaining a tight-gripped control of the company’s media presence. Announcements, timing and even “leaks” all fit into a finely engineered plan to excite consumers and the media — and in the last few years each announcement and event has been more exciting and more anticipated than the next.

So, it’s worth taking a look at Apple’s media strategy around the iPad in the last month to see if there are any lessons for marketers to take away.

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