Microsoft Corp. today kicked off a new global awareness campaign designed to “showcase how people can explore, enhance and pursue their passions with Windows XP and related technology.” It’s sort of an “ignore that Apple Mac OS X Tiger stuff” misdirection play.
Microsoft so thoughtfully posted one of the new “Start Something” ads that’s part of the new global awareness campaign for Microsoft Windows XP and invited users to click the image for high-res version.
Well, various MacDailyNews readers clicked to view the image, downloaded it and checked the file’s info by using iPhoto’s “Get Info” and other methods to view the file’s EXIF information which shows it was created with “Adobe Photoshop CS Macintosh.”
As one reader wrote, “Isn’t it ironic? A picture launching their big campaign designed to steal the thunder from Apple – was made on a Mac!”
Microsoft’s press release can be found here.
The direct link to the “Start Something” ad (7.4MB) is here.
MacDailyNews Take: Hey, they asked us to “start something,” so we did!
“it was created with ‘Adobe Photoshop CS Macintosh.'”
Adobe on a Mac? Doesn’t MS even use Windows in-house? Hmmm maybe that explains the REAL reason Office X is still around….
Even if the ad stinks, the software that made it reflects rather poorly on MS. It’s exactly like Boeing flying sales reps around to close deals… on an Airbus! As the saying goes, “Eat your own dog food”. If MS won’t even use their own products why should anyone else?
We’ll start something alright… start watching more people switch to Apple!
“It’s a Portuguese Man o’War, not an octopus!”
I guess I’d better “start” my zoology lessons. But that still doesn’t explain why it’s hanging out with an astronaut.
Have you guys checked out that site, windows.com? It’s a freakin’ product catalog. Whoop-de-do. They strong-arm you into buying crap from their partners. No thanks. I’ll just do a Google search instead.
The kids expression says it all.
Looks like he’s not really interested:
“I already have a Mac at home daddy”
“But this picture is for selling PC’s son”
” Oh, is that all… wish I had my iPod here.”
Either that or he’s like everyone else about the whole affair – ho hum.
And I just read somewhere that the new Dell ad campaign graphics were inspired by the front grill of the designer’s G5! I didnt see the connection in the accompanying photo, but anyways it’s kinda funny too. But not surprising, since it is rather large.
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Pale Rider, point taken.
[worse] was kinda the wrong word. Guess I’m one of those frustrated industry designers who’d love to spend more time working on X. :/
You wouldn’t believe the amounts of “potential switchers” I’ve learnt to know in my field.
On a sidenote; I’d love to know how Apple will advertise OSX for the masses. Sure, they might have a certain momentum, but the “no virii” or “no malware/sniffers” talk is kinda absurd IMHO.
Funny, potentially embarassing for MS. Probably will be ratified by tomorrow. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Not really any big deal, but you just know it irritates Gates and Ballmer just the same.
The windows appear to be surgical devices for pulling bullshit out of your chest. I’m sure it works both ways so it can also blow smoke up your ass.
OHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYY GODDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!
I’m really spanking the monkey now. These ads give me such a hard-on.
Is it just me or is that design really… oh I dunno, craptacular!
It has been know for years that Microsoft’s Graphic Department is about 90% Macs. No one in Redmond has ever denied it. Their annual report is done on Mac and ever year this same thing happens, “oh look what I found!”. Bill Gates is a lot of things but he is not stupid.
Hmm…
The only question I have is why does your date last modified show today, yet the date last modified in the EXIF tag is 04/07/2005? It looks fishy when the DLM is today, guys…
But, yes, there it is: The software tag clearly says “Adobe Photoshop CS Macintosh”
Maybe iPhoto modifies the file?
Yes, I agree with everyone- the kid looks stoned. What terrible advertising!!!
As Sara mentioned above there seems to be some sort of tracking job number on the Photoshop file. Its probally from their PR or advertising agency (who use Macs). Guess someone will catch hell for this in the morning!
What crap!
<sarcasm>Oh – – I get it ! START something …. like the START menu !!!! Wow ! What an incredible concept! This ad should win an award!</sarcasm>
For a job as important as marketing Windows XP, Microsoft will obviously trust nothing but the best OS. All the graphic needs now is a “Made on a Mac” logo in the corner.
“Start Something” ….
At least it’s better than their last ‘slogan’;
“Your potential inspires us to create the software to help you reach it”
That one still makes me shudder.
Let me get this straight … there are people in the world who download pictures just so they can see what OS they were made on ?
That is soooooo sad!
Maybe there should be a cull on Apple Zealots before they pollute the gene pool too much …
Mark Smith: I suspect it’s probably too late…
wow what an ugly ad!
The sad reality is that we are talking about how bad the Microsoft ad is, but there is still no ad for the Mac or OSX to talk about.
Sad.
And I thought they would never be able to top “Plays for Sure”
Hell, they took craptastic to new heights.
We can joke and call it lame all we want … but $200,000,000 of advertising is still $200,000,000 of advertising. don’t be naive … a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.
I hope Apple’s marketing captures the imagination … again and again.
i have a feeling that Microsofts Ad campaign is going to be the most parodied ad campaign ever. With all those creative mac people out there and just so many headlines to write it could be a field day for funny ads.
Start praying
creeative companies out there using Windows that MS can’t simply demand that?
“Oh – – I get it ! START something …. like the START menu!!!! Wow! What an incredible concept! This ad should win an award!”
Yeah, it’s not like they didn’t use the same concept for Windows 95’s “Start Me Up” campaign…
Kind of like finding out that the CEO of BMW drives a Lexus. Maybe that’s why the new BMW’s all look like Toyotas.