Microsoft initiated the creation of the iPod packaging parody video that was first reported last month, according to The iPod Observer’s Brad Cook. “It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding,” Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla told Cook via email. ‘While MS did not release the video, it’s natural to share funny things with friends. So while we didn’t publicly share the video, it was shared with appropriate teams internally. We’re happy to see others enjoy the laugh as well.”
Full article at The iPod Observer here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Michael K.” for the heads up.]
Microsoft designs the iPod package video can be seen here.
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Related article:
What if Microsoft redesigned Apple iPod packaging? – February 27, 2006
I never considered Microsoft to be self deprecating. Even Evil has a sense of humour it seems.
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The last laugh will, of course, be on Microsoft
They’re angry on the inside. They definitely did not want that getting out.
Oh yeah, more funny stuff from funny people.
“It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding,”
—
TRANSLATION:
“We have no idea about marketing, design or innovation. We copy all our competitors and pay a fortune in employing crap agencies and under-qualified internal marketing executives that are paid an extortionate salary for doing fcuk all.”
At least some people are trying to get M$ to get it. They won’t, but at least some are trying to make a point.
At least some people are trying to get M$ to get it. They won’t, but at least some are trying to make a point.
—-
You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!
And Microsoft is one hell of a large pig!
a very very clear example of how closing microsoft follow apple, and how they look to them for guidance. (read: rip them off).
Maybe Microsoft is not as monolithic as officially projected. In the face of accusation, some within are speaking out, even if in mirth.
This could be the harbinger of renassiance.
MS can’t match Apple so they’re forced to make fun of their packaging?
What a bunch of ASS wipes!
This bodes well for Vista to be another unfocused trojan with intent to defraud the user into buying something that looks like Mac OS but performs like SHITE (that’s why they need the wipes).
Apple, let this be a wake up call, set up an off shore facility to create virus’s and trojans that expose the Swiss Cheese nature of that sickening poser OS known as Windows.
Give ’em a break. Someone at Microsoft can laugh at themselves. More than we can say for most people at this forum…
So, Microsoft initiated its creation, did not release it, but when they found out that it had leaked out they don’t seem to mind.
This video, although made to illustrate the contrast between Microsoft’s & Apple’s approach to packaging & branding, perfectly illustrates what’s wrong with the company in all areas. Change the iPod box to the whole Vista project for instance.
Microsoft just don’t understand that their business model is not set up for the 21st century. It lacks focus, and there are too many middle managers soiling what started out as a good idea (by Microsoft’s standards at least). By the time it gets to market, anything they produce looks just like the iPod box in the last few frames.
Microsoft’s other problems lie in the fact that they have a sales guy running the company (in contrast to a visionary with a long term game plan like Apple’s), and also that they are geeks, every last one of them from the guy emptying the trash cans all the way to Mr Gates himself.
Why are geeks the problem? Well everything that Microsoft creates is envisioned by geeks, designed by geeks, tested by geeks and marketed to geeks. But geeks aren’t the mass market anymore, consumers are.
This is why the iPod is so successful, it’s perfectly marketed at consumers. When Microsoft try to do the same, they go on, an on about the technology (file formats, number of features etc), not about the experience. The geeks lap it up, whilst the consumer looks on confused.
To misquote somebody who I can’t remember, “Microsoft understand a lot about computers, Apple understands a lot about people.”
The funny thing is, is that Microsoft obviously know that there is a problem with the way in which they communicate their message to the average consumer (not geek), otherwise they wouldn’t have commissioned this video, but they don’t understand that the problems that this video highlights are endemic in all departments of Microsoft and eventually, it will be their undoing.
I give them 5-10 years before they’re in serious trouble.
January 24th, I think your take is the best I’ve read here. If it is true that a team within the company managed to create this in order to spread the word of a realization that they’ve made, it is a sign of hope for Microsoft. I *hope* that MS can learn and come back from the horrid place to which it has driven itself. If at least some can recognize the truth of their situation, and they can survive long enough to actually spread that truth around, there is yet hope for the organization.
Remember, the elements of Apple that MS have ripped off so far have been merely cosmetic. If they ever manage to learn (and incorporate) the true secret of Apple’s recent success, it would be better for everyone. Simple user experiences that respond to real day-to-day needs and wants of the average person is a simple concept to see, but difficult to drive into a corporate culture and a product line. Maybe they have a chance after all.
Maybe Microsoft has a few people that are creative AND have a sense of humor. If it was shown on Comedy Central or SNL, people would be raving about it.
If only their software was as well done as that video!
“MS can’t match Apple so they’re forced to make fun of their packaging?
What a bunch of ASS wipes!
Their making fun of MS dumb ASS!
Hey – guess what everybody!
That FUNNY, well-designed, movie was really us!
See – we can be covert, and cool, just like Apple!
You should think we’re cool now!
I would not call it a parody. This is actually how MSucks markets everything!!!
Question: Why can’t MSucks create an MP3 player with all it’s money
that can give the iPod a run for it’s money?
Answer: MSucks creates nothing
Just a thought….
M
re: Oscar Wilde
Give ’em a break. Someone at Microsoft can laugh at themselves. More than we can say for most people at this forum…
—
LETS GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT – MICROSOFT DID NOT WANT THIS VIDEO TO GET OUT!
It got out, and being a global company had to release a press statement joking about it.
Believe me, I work in the communications dept in the 4th largest oil company in the world, and this sort of thing leaking out is VERY embarrassing to Microsoft.
AND they had NO INTENTION of this movie getting out either.
I doubt very much that MS commissioned the work on this. Likely, a creative individual or group working for MS produced it out of frustration with the normal packaging missions they were regulary given. No way Ballmer paid to have that poke in the eye made.
I don’t buy it… That video was _too_ good to have been made by Microsoft… It might have been ‘commissioned’ by MS, but would anyone really _pay_ for something that makes fun of them…?
there is no sound on that video
that sucks
MDN word”include” as in
next time dont forget to INCLUDE the audio track
What this really says about MS is the vast disconnect that their marketing people have with reality. I’d hate to be a designer within that company because you know every decent thing anyone comes up with there is bastardized by some dim wit marketing person that wouldnt know good design if it bit them in the ass.
What it says is, hey, we are designers here but we are forced to make our packging look like crap by people who don’t get it.
Unforunately for MS the biggest dim wit marketer is sitting in the CEO position.
Anyone know what that circus-like music was in the clip?
Just found out! The track is Breakfast Machine by Danny Elfman, from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure – an excellent piece of music, but an obvious rip-off of Nino Rota/Fellini music.