That Jerry Seinfeld - Bill Gates Commercial

[Logan]

WTF?

[sabotai]

I've seen it a few times and...I can't remember what it was for.

[Jas_lov]

I think it had something to do with shoes but why would those two be promoting shoes?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I have no idea what you're talking about. Did this air during a shitty Mets game or something?

[Swaggs]

I'm guessing it is a counter to the John Hodgeman/Justin Long Mac ads.

I found it to be very weird and very long.

[Swaggs]

It is a Windows commercial, I believe.

[sabotai]

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[Logan]

Googled and found this:

Seinfeld and Gates' Microsoft misfire | Web Scout | Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/09/seinfeld-and-ga.html)

[samifan24]

A very strange ad. Why would anyone think this ad was a good idea?

[EagleFan]

With Seinfeld doing all those American Express commercials before I had just assumed it was another of those without really paying attention to it. At least it could potentially make more sense it it was an American Express commercial. It makes no sense as a Microsoft commercial.

[Young Drachma]

It was entertaining, strange and uniquely Microsoft.

Misfire ftw.

[Matthean]

I'm guessing it is a counter to the John Hodgeman/Justin Long Mac ads.

Gates has never come across as a good sales pitch guy, or he would have been doing this a long time ago. One only need to look at Seinfeld's over promotion of the Bee movie to know Jerry isn't your pitch man either. On the other hand, I get a little excited every time I see a new Mac/PC ad.

My goal this Christmas is being able to get a super cheap laptop and slapping Ubuntu Server edition in it and that will be pretty close to being my main computer outside of doing some stuff on my PC. I'll probably go the cheap route down the road for a Mac as well. As long as I can port over certain Windows applications, and it's only getting easier, then there is less and less reason to have a PC. I have no problem playing older games due to any limitation my computers might have due to getting them on the cheap. Oddly enough, the laptops I would be looking at pretty much match what I currently have as a PC so I wouldn't be losing out on anything, and I might be actually gaining. And yes, the Mac ads along with Vista were big factors in making the future switch.

[Phototropic]

This further confirms my belief that Seinfeld has never been funny outside the context of his own show.

[ISiddiqui]

That's fucking hilarious commercial.

Come on, folks, it's a commercial about nothing! And Gates also showed a sense of humor. I can't wait for the rest of them :D.

[MJ4H]

I have laughed my ass off at Seinfeld's stand-up before. He is very funny to me (and millions of others).

[sterlingice]

I never liked the show Seinfeld- I think we've trod this ground on the board before (unlikeable characters, proprietary humor, east coast wannabes, etc). Tho I have found his standup to be pretty funny.

This commercial... well, wtf

SI

[Karlifornia]

Better than those douchey Mac ads featuring Justin Long. They're beloved by the advertising community...yeah..because the advertising community is a bunch of douchebags.

This one was off the wall..and that scores points for guts...better than li,p-wristed Mac yuppies.

[Poli]

Personally, I'm looking forward to my first edible computer.

[digamma]

Delicious.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

The sheer weirdness of that commercial made it hilarious to me

[Drake]

I actually liked it.

[SFL Cat]

I think they both came across as "wtf am I doing in this commercial?"

[EagleFan]

Better than those douchey Mac ads featuring Justin Long. They're beloved by the advertising community...yeah..because the advertising community is a bunch of douchebags.

This one was off the wall..and that scores points for guts...better than li,p-wristed Mac yuppies.

I find this very amusing, especially since someone basically already said in the thread that these commercials are partly responsible for that person wanting a Mac (I guess that makes the person a possible easy cult inductee).

I agree with you about those commercials and find it funny that these commercials would actually convince someone to get a Mac.

[Swaggs]

I find this very amusing, especially since someone basically already said in the thread that these commercials are partly responsible for that person wanting a Mac (I guess that makes the person a possible easy cult inductee).

I agree with you about those commercials and find it funny that these commercials would actually convince someone to get a Mac.

I think the commercials, at this time, have a familiar feel to them and are used pretty well to keep people informed of what is topical.

They made fun of Vista's bugs when it first came out. They are currently, in a to-the-point yet fun way, letting the word spread that MS Office now works on a Mac and that Apple's specialists (or whatever trendy name they have for their support) will convert all your PC files to your new Mac.

I've never owned a Mac and am pretty pleased with Windows XP, but I think these commercials are very effective (and probably even moreso if you are a dissatisfied PC user).

[ISiddiqui]

Though I'm not the only person I know who thinks that the Mac v. PC commercials backfire a bit because the Mac guy seems like a prick.

[JetsIn06]

Fwiw, I loved this commercial.

[Galaxy]

That's fucking hilarious commercial.

Come on, folks, it's a commercial about nothing! And Gates also showed a sense of humor. I can't wait for the rest of them :D.

I agree. It's not so much about Windows, the 360, Zune, and or even really about Microsoft directly. I think it shows Gates in a lighter light, and creates a buzz with two high-profile personalities in a commercial together. I do wonder if the weirdness of the commercial was one of the goals. Maybe it was intended to be a mock "Seinfeld" episode with Jerry and Bill, which was a show based on nothing.

I think it depends on if this is a "story" of commercials, and this is a set-up ad.

[Eaglesfan27]

I thought the 1st commercial was meh, although it was clearly going for that "Seinfeld" vibe (surely I can't be the only person who immediately thought of Kramer cooking in the shower when Seinfeld made the reference about wearing the shoes/clothes in the shower.) But, it seems like even if the experts think it "missed the mark" that it succeeded in getting people talking about the commercials. As far as the product, are there really many people out there who don't know that Gates is trying to sell Microsoft products and not shoes?

[Galaxy]

I thought the 1st commercial was meh, although it was clearly going for that "Seinfeld" vibe (surely I can't be the only person who immediately thought of Kramer cooking in the shower when Seinfeld made the reference about wearing the shoes/clothes in the shower.) But, it seems like even if the experts think it "missed the mark" that it succeeded in getting people talking about the commercials. As far as the product, are there really many people out there who don't know that Gates is trying to sell Microsoft products and not shoes?

Usually the first set of ads in a major advertising campaign aren't really about much in particular. Most of the time don't get high marks. They are off-the-mark, yet aiming to create buzz and get people talking. The following ads will zone in on crafting the message better. So far, Microsoft has scored big time in the first step.

[Lathum]

I found it a little disturbing.

and I liked it

[Lathum]

the only thing worse then bad publicity is no publicity

[Drake]

Question: Did Seinfeld look about 65 in that commercial, or was it just me? Either that or he's the victim of a really evil tanning bed + a couple of horribly botched plastic surgeries.

[Neon_Chaos]

I actually found it funny. :D

[KWhit]

I thought it was hysterical.

[Fidatelo]

I enjoyed it.

[Terps]

My favorite commercial right now.

[Mustang]

Though I'm not the only person I know who thinks that the Mac v. PC commercials backfire a bit because the Mac guy seems like a prick.

I generally have an immense distaste for commercials that try to paint you as an idiot for liking a different product. I have it to the level that I make it a point to not buy their products.

Might as well just have a guy come out and go - "Buy a Mac. If you don't, that just proves you are a big fat retarded douchebag. Don't say we didn't warn you. Fuckers"

[JPhillips]

Isn't that true with any kind of comparison commercial? How could you possibly buy that soap when our soap is so clearly superior!

[Mustang]

Isn't that true with any kind of comparison commercial? How could you possibly buy that soap when our soap is so clearly superior!

We need advertising like in Crazy People.

Metamucil: We help you go to the toilet so you won't get cancer and die.

Paramount Pictures presents 'The Freak.' This movie won't just scare you, it will fuck you up for life."

[Daimyo]

When was the last time Microsoft had a negative commercial or advertising campaign against a competitor? I think the Mac commercials are entertaining and almost always stop fast forwarding to watch them, but it is a bit unfair. If Microsoft used similar tactics the uproar would be significant.

[Dr. Sak]

Question: Did Seinfeld look about 65 in that commercial, or was it just me? Either that or he's the victim of a really evil tanning bed + a couple of horribly botched plastic surgeries.

Looks like he has a beer gut too!

[Fidatelo]

I generally have an immense distaste for commercials that try to paint you as an idiot for liking a different product. I have it to the level that I make it a point to not buy their products.

Might as well just have a guy come out and go - "Buy a Mac. If you don't, that just proves you are a big fat retarded douchebag. Don't say we didn't warn you. Fuckers"

I agree, sell your products on their own merit, don't tear the other guy(s) down.

[BishopMVP]

When was the last time Microsoft had a negative commercial or advertising campaign against a competitor? I think the Mac commercials are entertaining and almost always stop fast forwarding to watch them, but it is a bit unfair. If Microsoft used similar tactics the uproar would be significant.It's also Marketing 101 - if you're a brand leader, don't ever associate yourself with the weaker competitors, and if you're that weaker competitor, do everything you can. It's why Pepsi always talks about Coca-Cola for example.

[DanGarion]

I agree, sell your products on their own merit, don't tear the other guy(s) down.

If only politicians, specifically those running for president this term practiced this philosophy... :(

[JonInMiddleGA]

"Buy a Mac. If you don't, that just proves you are a big fat retarded douchebag. Don't say we didn't warn you. Fuckers"

That's pretty much been Mac's positioning for quite a while now I'd say. Even as they now try to move out of the niches they'd retained some strength in, I think it's difficult for them to get beyond that mindset (since it's pretty much how they look at it IMO).

[Fidatelo]

If only politicians, specifically those running for president this term practiced this philosophy... :(

Which is exactly why I hate politics. I always end up voting for the people I hate the least, rather than the people I like the most.

[SFL Cat]

Question: Did Seinfeld look about 65 in that commercial, or was it just me? Either that or he's the victim of a really evil tanning bed + a couple of horribly botched plastic surgeries.

You're not the only one. I thought Gates looked like he had aged better than Seinfeld.

[Glengoyne]

I found it a little disturbing.

and I liked it
What he said

[fantom1979]

I really like this commercial. It shows a side of Gates that is not shown very often. Its a commercial about nothing (Seinfeld) with the richest guy in the world shaking his behind.

[AgustusM]

I found it odd, disturbing and brilliant all at the same time.

first commercial I have rewound BACK in the 2 years I have had my DVR.

[Neon_Chaos]

I really like this commercial. It shows a side of Gates that is not shown very often. Its a commercial about nothing (Seinfeld) with the richest guy in the world shaking his behind.

He ain't the richest anymore. ;)

[Galaxy]

He ain't the richest anymore. ;)

:)

[TazFTW]

New one (well, if 4 1/2 minutes is a commercial).

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[fantom1979]

He ain't the richest anymore. ;)

I had no idea. Who is?

[fantom1979]

New one (well, if 4 1/2 minutes is a commercial.

I saw this on ESPN tonight. I think it was 30 seconds on TV

[sterlingice]

I had no idea. Who is?

Warren Buffet. Gates "plummeted" to 3rd this past year ;)

SI

[Galaxy]

Warren Buffet. Gates "plummeted" to 3rd this past year ;)

SI

Carlos Slim, of Mexico, is No. 2.

[sterlingice]

Carlos Slim- that has to be a stage name or porn name or something ;)

SI

[fantom1979]

I worked for CompUSA when he bought that company out. If I remember correctly, if you used a phone in Mexico, you were giving him money. Also, I believe he owns a chunk of quite a few major retailers in the US.

[MikeVic]

New one (well, if 4 1/2 minutes is a commercial).

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These commercials make me feel stupid. I just don't get the metaphors.

[ISiddiqui]

I like the second one even better than the first. These things rock... I hope they make them forever :D.

[Fidatelo]

These commercials make me feel stupid. I just don't get the metaphors.

The fact that you are trying to find metaphors makes me feel stupid. I just think they are funny for some reason, and then go back to thinking about my fake sports team.

[-apoc-]

I thought this summed it up

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2008/20080915.jpg

[MikeVic]

The fact that you are trying to find metaphors makes me feel stupid. I just think they are funny for some reason, and then go back to thinking about my fake sports team.

I don't know, I thought the stuff they're talking about was supposed to be referring to Windows and Mac? Maybe I'm looking too much into it.

[Galaxy]

I don't know, I thought the stuff they're talking about was supposed to be referring to Windows and Mac? Maybe I'm looking too much into it.

I got the subtle hints of it (like are the monsters won't get in because of the firewall). If you go back to the first commercial, they have very subtle hints and digs at Apple (such as shopping at the discount store, the red sign in the store that says, "Why Pay More"). However, I think they are trying to show Bill Gates and Microsoft in a more causal, funnier way.

[albionmoonlight]

A thread discussing a commercial has reached 60+ posts.

On some very basic level, that means that the commercial worked.

[Logan]

A thread discussing a commercial has reached 60+ posts.

On some very basic level, that means that the commercial worked.

1) Threads on here that talk about crap - literally - reach 1000 posts. :) This is no success.

2) The ad campaign costs something like $330 million. That's a lot of Windows products to be sold to people like us who either already have them and don't feel a need to upgrade, or prefer Macs.

[ISiddiqui]

On other hand, every forum I post on has a thread devoted to these ads. That means they are generating extra excitement and discussion than most ads.

[Anthony]

if all the threads talk about is mostly how stupid the commercial is, i don't see that as a success.

[Subby]

Seeing Bill Gates do the robot is worth ~$340 million to me, so...SUCCESS!

[Sun Tzu]

domo arigato mr roboto

[ISiddiqui]

if all the threads talk about is mostly how stupid the commercial is, i don't see that as a success.

They mostly talk about its brilliance.

[ISiddiqui]

Good article by the Economist on the commericials:

http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=12209073

I love the last two paragraphs:


Is Mr Gates’s shopping spree with Mr Seinfeld another misjudgment? Perhaps not. The ad appears to have set up the forthcoming campaign with an ingenious twist that its critics have missed. Its viewers, Crispin assumes, have been watching Apple’s ads, in which a nerdy, pale, chubby and hapless “PC”, played by the actor John Hodgman, talks to a hip, suave and unruffled “Mac”. Ironically, however, it is the PC who has become famous and won hearts, despite being the butt of all the jokes, whereas the Mac character is cool but smug, and would not get invited to anybody’s dinner.

Mr Gates, Crispin’s creative types must have realised, is the authentic embodiment of the PC character: geeky, awkward, dressed for a cubicle rather than a bar, unglamorous but unpretentious, able to get the job done, if not excitingly. And like the PC in Apple’s ads, the Bill Gates in Microsoft’s spot has an impish side that occasionally peeks out. One of the world’s richest men comes across as unassuming and approachable, the antithesis of Apple’s aspirational cool, which some find annoying and snooty. In a country that loves to poke fun at “elitists” (especially during elections), it would be wrong to write off Microsoft’s new campaign just yet.

[Anthony]

i can agree with that, actually. however, this would've been a bigger hit if they had a Jake Long "Mac" representative character, where the Mac guy is so unncessarily snooty and condescending that he misses out on all the fun and is left standing on the outside looking in cuz he's too elitist while Bill Gates, the more personable and "real" character, engages and interacts with people. that would've been a better campaign, and a clear answer to the Mac commercials.

[ISiddiqui]

i can agree with that, actually. however, this would've been a bigger hit if they had a Jake Long "Mac" representative character, where the Mac guy is so unncessarily snooty and condescending that he misses out on all the fun and is left standing on the outside looking in cuz he's too elitist while Bill Gates, the more personable and "real" character, engages and interacts with people. that would've been a better campaign, and a clear answer to the Mac commercials.

Recall that this is an 8 part commerical series... I can see it building up to where Jerry gets left behind.

Though you don't want it to follow too much and make it too obvious a response. I'm just enjoying the humor in it myself... then again, I think Seinfeld is the greatest gift TV has ever given us.

[JediKooter]

I heard the last commercial in the series has Kramer running out of a store calling everyone the N word.

[Galaxy]

Recall that this is an 8 part commerical series... I can see it building up to where Jerry gets left behind.

Though you don't want it to follow too much and make it too obvious a response. I'm just enjoying the humor in it myself... then again, I think Seinfeld is the greatest gift TV has ever given us.

I'm not a Seinfeld fan, but I do like the commercials so far. I haven't seen the second one air yet, however.

[Fidatelo]

i can agree with that, actually. however, this would've been a bigger hit if they had a Jake Long "Mac" representative character, where the Mac guy is so unncessarily snooty and condescending that he misses out on all the fun and is left standing on the outside looking in cuz he's too elitist while Bill Gates, the more personable and "real" character, engages and interacts with people. that would've been a better campaign, and a clear answer to the Mac commercials.

No, that would be too obvious, juvenile, and likely come off as sour grapes. MS doesn't need to get into a slap-fest with Apple, and I think what they are doing is a good direction.

[Galaxy]

Good article by the Economist on the commericials:

http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=12209073

I love the last two paragraphs:

Do you think they are being too subtle?

[ISiddiqui]

No... like Fidetelo said, you don't want to get into a slapfest with Apple. You are the dominant company, you don't even have to make it too much a response. A little subtle jab is good enough, while making people like Gates.

[Anthony]

the jab was so subtle i didn't even notice it. with people DVRing shows and fast forwarding commercials or texting while watching tv, you have such a miniscule window to get your point across that for the person who devotes the little attention, if any, to a commercial they aren't going to get it and simply fast forward it. and i wouldn't even say these commercials are an answer to the Mac campaign, only because at least with the Mac commercials you get what the point is behind them.

i do agree with the notion that the PC guy in the Mac commercials is actually stealing the show. Jake Long always looks so clammy and pale, like he's some geek who resides in his parents' basement and never sees the light of day. exactly the kind of guy i want to appeal to the 18-39 year old demographic.

[Fidatelo]

the jab was so subtle i didn't even notice it. with people DVRing shows and fast forwarding commercials or texting while watching tv, you have such a miniscule window to get your point across that for the person who devotes the little attention, if any, to a commercial they aren't going to get it and simply fast forward it. and i wouldn't even say these commercials are an answer to the Mac campaign, only because at least with the Mac commercials you get what the point is behind them.

You don't think that all of the word of mouth surrounding these ads is getting people to give them a full viewing when they come across them? Or even seek them out on YouTube or wherever? I don't think MS needs to worry about missing that little window on this one.

[Anthony]

the ads aren't entertaining enough that i would actively seek them out to view them in their entirety. i saw the entire 2nd commercial (all 6 minutes of it). it goes nowhere. it's not a good campaign.

if they wanted to do this, they should've released the full lenght commercials as tiny webisodes/youtube segments. that would make a lot more sense. the point of every commercial is to answer the same few questions:

1. what is the product
2. what does your product do that another existing product doesn't do
3. why do i need the product

you only know the answer to #1 in the Seinfeld/Gates commercials cuz they show the MS logo at the end of them.

you don't look for subtlety in commercials. the amount of time to capture an audience's attention doesn't lend itself to character development and plot twists.

[Anthony]

agree to disagree then. sometimes doing nothing (no publicity) is better than bad publicity. its better to be silent and everyone think you're dumb than to open your mouth and confirm the fact, as they say.

[RedKingGold]

Listen to Anthony, kids. He's sold a lot of products.

[ISiddiqui]

Seriously people are discussing it all over the place. Articles on it are on all the big online newspapers. It's seriously everywhere.

And after "Seinfeld" (the show), people seem to absolutely love Jerry Seinfeld.

As for what is the product, what does it do, and why do you need it? It's freaking Windows! Everyone knows the answers to question #2 and #3 after they know #1!

[Galaxy]

Seriously people are discussing it all over the place. Articles on it are on all the big online newspapers. It's seriously everywhere.

And after "Seinfeld" (the show), people seem to absolutely love Jerry Seinfeld.

As for what is the product, what does it do, and why do you need it? It's freaking Windows! Everyone knows the answers to question #2 and #3 after they know #1!

I agree. They don't need to "sell" anything. It's about the brand, not the product in particular. Do you see this evolving to cover other Microsoft products in general (as you notice, the second commercial had Gates playing video games and such).

[Anthony]

Listen to Anthony, kids. He's sold a lot of products.

that's the beautiful thing, you don't have to be the world's greatest artist to be an art critic. just need an opinion. and my opinion is the ads are stupid, not funny and despite all the chitter chatter on the internet, its not of the "oh wow, this is awesome, i want to go buy me some" sort. i already knew MS existed, i don't need a pointless commercial that tries too hard to be a pointless commercial to remind me of that. :)

[molson]

the point of every commercial is to answer the same few questions:

1. what is the product
2. what does your product do that another existing product doesn't do
3. why do i need the product



That was definitely the prevailing advertising philosophy through at least 1958.

[gstelmack]

That was definitely the prevailing advertising philosophy through at least 1958.

And this change in philosophy led to a new invention lovingly referred to as a "DVR" as advertising became much less useful...

[Maple Leafs]

Apparently the campaign has been cancelled.

Microsoft announcement tomorrow: No more Seinfeld ads! (http://valleywag.com/5051455/microsoft-announcement-tomorrow-no-more-seinfeld-ads)

[fantom1979]

Remember those awful Microsoft ads with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates (http://valleywag.com/5048804/bill-gates-spending-retirement-awkwardly-starring-in-commercials)? Well, now you can forget them. Microsoft flacks are desperately dialing reporters to spin them about "phase two" of the ad campaign — a phase, due to be announced tomorrow, which will drop the aging comic altogether. Microsoft's version of the story: Redmond had always planned to drop Seinfeld. The awkward reality: The ads only reminded us how out of touch with consumers Microsoft is — and that Bill Gates's company has millions of dollars to waste on hiring a has-been funnyman to keep him company. Update: In a phone call, Waggener Edstrom flack Frank Shaw confirms that Microsoft is not going on with Seinfeld, and echoes his underlings' spin that the move was planned. There is the "potential to do other things" with Seinfeld, which Shaw says is still "possible." He adds: "People would have been happier if everyone loved the ads, but this was not unexpected."

The article is a little harsh.

[ISiddiqui]

Apparently the campaign has been cancelled.

Microsoft announcement tomorrow: No more Seinfeld ads! (http://valleywag.com/5051455/microsoft-announcement-tomorrow-no-more-seinfeld-ads)

Not quite.

Advertising - Echoing the Campaign of a Rival, Microsoft Aims to Redefine ‘I’m a PC’ - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/business/media/18adco.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin)


The campaign, which begins Thursday and carries the theme “Windows. Life without walls,” will move away from the enigmatic teaser commercials that featured Bill Gates (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/bill_gates/index.html?inline=nyt-per) and Jerry Seinfeld (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/jerry_seinfeld/index.html?inline=nyt-per) in offbeat conversations about shopping, shoes, suburbia and the potential of computing to improve life. The teaser ads have generated considerable discussion since they started on Sept. 4, not all of it positive.

What follows is an audacious embrace of the disdainful label that Apple (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/apple_computer_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org), Microsoft’s rival, has gleefully — and successfully — affixed onto users of Microsoft products: “I’m a PC.”

One new Microsoft commercial even begins with a company engineer who resembles John Hodgman, the comedian portraying the loser PC character in the Apple campaign. “Hello, I’m a PC,” the engineer says, echoing Mr. Hodgman’s recurring line, “and I’ve been made into a stereotype.”

The strategy to use the Apple attack as the basis for a counterstrike is typical for the agency behind the campaign, Crispin Porter & Bogusky.

[Maple Leafs]

Not quite.
Well, sure. They're going to spin it as an "adjustment" or even that it was the plan all along. These are advertisers, of course they're going to find a way to pretend this is good news.

But you don't spend millions to bring in Jerry Seinfeld and buy up all the ad space on NFL broadcasts just to do a "teaser".

[Honolulu_Blue]

But you don't spend millions to bring in Jerry Seinfeld and buy up all the ad space on NFL broadcasts just to do a "teaser".

I'm pretty sure John Ferguson Jr. would have.

[Maple Leafs]

I'm pretty sure John Ferguson Jr. would have.
Ferguson's not involved here. If he was, Seinfeld would have a "no-cancellation" clause he'd be refusing to waive.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Ferguson's not involved here. If he was, Seinfeld would have a "no-cancellation" clause he'd be refusing to waive.

Good point.

[ISiddiqui]

But you don't spend millions to bring in Jerry Seinfeld and buy up all the ad space on NFL broadcasts just to do a "teaser".

It sounds about par for the course for Crispin Porter & Bogusky.

[Klinglerware]

I am kind of curious to see how the spoofs of the Apple commercials will work out...

[Rizon]

I saw the robot one last night ... just simply awful. I'm thinking about billing Microsoft for the time I threw away by watching it.

[Anthony]

The campaign, which begins Thursday and carries the theme “Windows. Life without walls,” will move away from the enigmatic teaser commercials that featured Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld in offbeat conversations about shopping, shoes, suburbia and the potential of computing to improve life. The teaser ads have generated considerable discussion since they started on Sept. 4, not all of it positive.

What follows is an audacious embrace of the disdainful label that Apple, Microsoft’s rival, has gleefully — and successfully — affixed onto users of Microsoft products: “I’m a PC.”

One new Microsoft commercial even begins with a company engineer who resembles John Hodgman, the comedian portraying the loser PC character in the Apple campaign. “Hello, I’m a PC,” the engineer says, echoing Mr. Hodgman’s recurring line, “and I’ve been made into a stereotype.”

The strategy to use the Apple attack as the basis for a counterstrike is typical for the agency behind the campaign, Crispin Porter & Bogusky.

so, basically i know what i'm talking about. please refrain from responding to this, i wouldn't want to have to prove more people wrong and make a mockery of their incorrect opinions.

i can agree with that, actually. however, this would've been a bigger hit if they had a Jake Long "Mac" representative character, where the Mac guy is so unncessarily snooty and condescending that he misses out on all the fun and is left standing on the outside looking in cuz he's too elitist while Bill Gates, the more personable and "real" character, engages and interacts with people. that would've been a better campaign, and a clear answer to the Mac commercials.

[Logan]

Yeah so what about those people who were saying Microsoft wouldn't "stoop down" to Apple's level?

edit: HA beat me to it.

[Anthony]

I am kind of curious to see how the spoofs of the Apple commercials will work out...

they will be more successful.

why?

because the point of the commercial will be more transparent. they'll show you why their product is better than the competition and why you should have it, which, as i disclosed before, the answers to 2 important questions posed in advertising.

the Seinfeld/Gates commercials were so vague and enigmatic they must've been written by the writers of Lost.

[Anthony]

Yeah so what about those people who were saying Microsoft wouldn't "stoop down" to Apple's level?

edit: HA beat me to it.

rest assured, i waste no time in showing people how i was right and they were wrong. everything would be much easier if everyone just took everything i said as the Bible. we'd save so much time.

[Neon_Chaos]

Yeah so what about those people who were saying Microsoft wouldn't "stoop down" to Apple's level?

edit: HA beat me to it.

Are they going negative on their ads? I thought they were only going to acknowledge the derogatory label that Apple gave them and put a positive spin on it, to take the label and make it their own.

[Galaxy]

Are they going negative on their ads? I thought they were only going to acknowledge the derogatory label that Apple gave them and put a positive spin on it, to take the label and make it their own.

That's how I read it.

[Logan]

Are they going negative on their ads? I thought they were only going to acknowledge the derogatory label that Apple gave them and put a positive spin on it, to take the label and make it their own.

Sorry, not how I meant it. People earlier were saying that it never makes sense for the market leader to acknowledge the existence of the poorer-selling product. I think these new commercials would definitely be doing that.

[Fidatelo]

Ya, I stand corrected. I don't necessarily agree with the switch in tactics, but clearly the people in charge of the ad campaigns agree with HA.

[Anthony]

Ya, I stand corrected. I don't necessarily agree with the switch in tactics, but clearly the people in charge of the ad campaigns agree with HA.

you are a breath of fresh air, and a rarity in the internet - someone who can admit they were wrong and that someone else was correct. i respect you and now look forward to future posts from such an honest and upstanding human. good day, sir.

[ISiddiqui]

Sorry, not how I meant it. People earlier were saying that it never makes sense for the market leader to acknowledge the existence of the poorer-selling product. I think these new commercials would definitely be doing that.

Some were, but on the other hand, one can acknowledge the competitor without getting into an in the trenches fight.

[Anthony]

Sorry, not how I meant it. People earlier were saying that it never makes sense for the market leader to acknowledge the existence of the poorer-selling product. I think these new commercials would definitely be doing that.

yeah, i meant MS should've went with spoofing the Mac commercials, turning it around so that no one wants to be the smarmy, elitist Mac guy and positioning the "PC guy" as the character people can relate to and embracing it.

the funniest thing in the world would be if they offered the guy who plays the PC guy in the Mac commercials more money to be the PC guy in the MS commercials. that'd be awesome.

[Galaxy]

I love how the PC guy looks very much like Gates.

[Galaxy]

yeah, i meant MS should've went with spoofing the Mac commercials, turning it around so that no one wants to be the smarmy, elitist Mac guy and positioning the "PC guy" as the character people can relate to and embracing it.

the funniest thing in the world would be if they offered the guy who plays the PC guy in the Mac commercials more money to be the PC guy in the MS commercials. that'd be awesome.

I'm sure Apple has a pretty stiff contract with him that would forbid him from doing that.

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting:

New Microsoft ads directly target Apple | Beyond Binary - A blog by Ina Fried - CNET News (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10045384-56.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0)

Despite some reports to the contrary, Brooks insists the plan was always to shift away from the Seinfeld-centered ads. He said that the company did not film any other spots with Seinfeld.

That is consistent with what Brooks told me in an initial conversation a couple weeks ago, though I must say the shift in conversation seems quite abrupt with little connection between the first ads and the new pitch.

[Buccaneer]

The article is a little harsh.

The only thing harsh about it was that it didn't use more negative adjectives to describe the "aging", "has-been" so-called comic. :)

[ISiddiqui]

The only thing harsh about it was that it didn't use more negative adjectives to describe the funniest man in the world

Fixed.

[watravaler]

If they are trying to market Microsoft as "cool"(taking direct aim at the 18-35 year-olds), don't pick two of the "un-coolest" men walking the planet next time. I hate Seinfeld with a passion...Larry David MADE him...

For all the money Microsoft has, they seem to be relying on the "brainwashing" they did back in the 90's...they need to fire pretty much everyone in their marketing/advertising/PR division. Unlike Apple, who seem to have no problem meshing the the fields of neuroscience and marketing, Microsoft is losing significant ground in this arena.

[ISiddiqui]

Wait a sec... what was Larry David before Seinfeld?! He worked for SNL for two years and couldn't get sketch on the show!

At least Seinfeld was a very good stand up comedian (and was a regular on Letterman and Merv Griffin). They undoubtedly made each other.

[watravaler]

Wait a sec... what was Larry David before Seinfeld?! He worked for SNL for two years and couldn't get sketch on the show!

At least Seinfeld was a very good stand up comedian (and was a regular on Letterman and Merv Griffin). They undoubtedly made each other.

I can agree with that.

I loved the Seinfeld show, had no idea who Larry David was/or that he had a show till last year. I was just a little stunned when I stumbled upon it...

[Pyser]

$10 mil for 2 commercials is pretty damn good work

[ISiddiqui]

From the article I linked (the CNet one):


As for whether it got the value of the reported $10 million it spent to hire Seinfeld, Brooks had several things to say.



"We spent nowhere near $10 million for Jerry," Brooks said. "We've got options with Jerry and we consider Jerry to be a very good friend of Windows and Microsoft. Right now, we are entering a new phase, but it's not to say we might not bring back (Seinfeld). We've got our options open with Jerry."

[Galaxy]

If they are trying to market Microsoft as "cool"(taking direct aim at the 18-35 year-olds), don't pick two of the "un-coolest" men walking the planet next time. I hate Seinfeld with a passion...Larry David MADE him...

For all the money Microsoft has, they seem to be relying on the "brainwashing" they did back in the 90's...they need to fire pretty much everyone in their marketing/advertising/PR division. Unlike Apple, who seem to have no problem meshing the the fields of neuroscience and marketing, Microsoft is losing significant ground in this arena.

I don't think Microsoft is trying to be "cool". In fact, it sounds like they are going to embrace the tag that Apple has given them.

[ISiddiqui]

It almost reminds me of the ending of "Revenge of the Nerds" with people coming out from the stands saying 'I'm a Nerd'!!

[fantom1979]

If they are trying to market Microsoft as "cool"(taking direct aim at the 18-35 year-olds), don't pick two of the "un-coolest" men walking the planet next time.

Whoa, it was Jerry Seinfeld, not Jason Alexander. :)

[TazFTW]

The new commercials.

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Bring back Jerry!

[fantom1979]

Not impressed

[Neon_Chaos]

Great spin on the mac commercials.

They just took what Mac gave them and spun it into a very positive ad.

[Klinglerware]

Great spin on the mac commercials.

They just took what Mac gave them and spun it into a very positive ad.

Agree. The way they subverted the Apple campaign ads with the "PC is for a more diverse group of people" angle is kind of clever. I liked how they even put in a "hipster" who sort of looks likes the Mac guy in there...

[Logan]

I know HA works downtown, but I can still hear him laughing at his own foresight.

[ISiddiqui]

Great spin on the mac commercials.

They just took what Mac gave them and spun it into a very positive ad.

Yep, exactly... these aren't meant to be funny like the Seinfeld ads, but to put a real face on "I'm a PC". Very well done.

[Neuqua]

Haha.

Irony: Microsoft 'I'm a PC' Ads Were Created Using a Mac (http://gizmodo.com/5052790/microsoft-im-a-pc-ads-were-created-using-a-mac)

[lordscarlet]

Yep, exactly... these aren't meant to be funny like the Seinfeld ads, but to put a real face on "I'm a PC". Very well done.

The Seinfeld ads were meant to be funny?

[ISiddiqui]

Yes and they were hilarious.

[lordscarlet]

Yes and they were hilarious.

And by that I must assume you mean "not funny in the least." Unless, perhaps, the sadness of how bad they were made you laugh.

[ISiddiqui]

And by that I must assume you mean that they were utterly hilarious and anyone who didn't think so has lost their humor gene :).

I done and fixed it!

[lordscarlet]

Yeah, no.

[Subby]

Yeah, no.
Oh well I guess that settles it. RendeR is going to be pissed that there is another expert on everything around here.