“While acknowledging Microsoft is in a tough spot in trying to recast Windows after years of attacks from Apple, one ad executive said she is highly skeptical of Microsoft’s new approach,” Ina Fried reports for CNET.
“Microsoft’s latest ad, which starts running tonight, features a Microsoft employee who looks very much like the PC guy from the Apple ads, saying ‘I’m a PC and I’ve been made into a stereotype,'” Fried reports.
“‘Casting Microsoft as a victim still doesn’t work for me,’ said Kathy Sharpe, CEO of New York-based interactive ad firm Sharpe Partners. ‘They aren’t victims. Apple just is smarter about this sort of thing,'” Fried reports. “The PC guy in Microsoft’s ads, by the way, is Sean Siller, who has been with Microsoft since 2005 and works as a senior program manager for networking in the Windows Core Operating System Division.”
“Sharpe was also skeptical that Microsoft really intended to end the Seinfeld bit so abruptly. She said that if, as Microsoft said, it didn’t film more Seinfeld ads, it’s probably because the first ads tested poorly. Microsoft insists that the shift was always part of the plan and the initial ads were simply an “ice-breaker,'” Fried reports. “Whatever the case, Sharpe said the Seinfeld bits clearly missed their mark.”
More in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Avoman” for the heads up.]
Doesn’t work?
Have you seen the face of a real Vista USER?
It may work…
What I read:
” She said that if, as Microsoft said, it didn’t film more Seinfeld ads, it’s probably because the first ads tested poorly. Microsoft insists that the shit was always part of the plan and the initial ads were simply an “ice-breaker,'” Fried reports. “Whatever the case, Sharpe said the Seinfeld bits clearly missed their mark.”
“
The second ad hit the mark with me. Bill Gates steals something from the host family. Perfect. I got that message loud and clear. LOL
MW: way as in Way to go Microsoft.
So, Jerry Seinfeld is just your ‘warm up’ act? Riiight.
Aside from the ludicrous claim the Microsoft is a victim, there is a fundamental problem in basing your identify on victim status. When you cease to be a victim, you lose your identity, therefore it is in your best interest to remain a victim.
Defining yourself as a victim or oppressed is entirely negative.
Microsoft should establish a positive identity and play to their strengths: they can crush your pitiful company if you dare question them.
Yeah, yeah, I see the typo.
MDN, are we ever going to get a preview feature?
Oh, poor, poor M$$$$$$$. Little Apple’s been picking on you? Now you’re a “stereotype”? Well, cry me a river!!!!
Just pathetic.
DISARRAY… the only possible description for yet another MS f@*k-up.
Apple is calling the shots on this one, because everything MS does is in reaction to their perception of what Apple is saying about them.
Funny…
M$ as über-supreme pummeler-of-all-things-good conquistador hasn’t been working very well, either.
Microsoft will be seen as a victim on the same day Ballmer is mistaken for Brad Pitt.
. . . Or Ballmer is mistaken for uncle festers left nad. . . Oh wait…
Microsoft is a victim of their own incompetence. Perfect!
@ Digital Mercenary
You either didn’t see the full-length version of the second ad, or you have suspect comprehension skills. Neither Gates nor Seinfeld stole anything. The “leather giraffe from Cabo” was planted in the backpack by one of the daughters after being grossed out by Jerry’s toenail clipping right on her bed.
Thanks for playing though, do come again
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When Ballmer gets nads as big as Uncle Fester.
I laughed out loud at the second commercial, didn’t get the first one. I’m gonna miss the Bill n Jerry show.
Recall that Jerry Sienfield had a Mac Classic on his desk in his apartment on his sitcom. It was also one of the props that was stolen and then returned in later episodes.
If PC is a stereotype, then Mac is one too. Can they both be victimized?
Billy Goat the Thief stole the pizza! They never paid the delivery guy but shut the door in his face after Billy the Liar said, “I have nothing.” Bull$#!+ as usual from the Crappy Thief.
By the way, John Hodgman is a self-professed Machead. Leo Laporte is trying to get him on MacBreak Weekly.
I don’t know. I think I liked this new ad better. It sort of says that PC users are real people. Everyday people.
But my thought is …… so what. Ford people are everyday people but that does not make them better or smarter than toyota people…. Well it does mean that they pay more for vehicles that get worse milage and do not last as long. (actual data and admissions from Ford and GM).
But the commercial is better. Vista is not, but the commercial, well its better but that is not saying much.
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Check out this image. It tries to say that Windows opens the world and everyone else puts up a wall. You know like linux, Apple, and well just everyone else that does not kiss the feet of Microsoft.
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And of course, only windows users using pcs do any good cause, well, you know, they are average people like those sitting in front of a tv vegging out. LOL Just plain LOL.
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Just a thought,
en
Right now Microsoft reminds me of a blind man shooting at random in hopes of hitting something.
They claim that first two commercials were NOT a failure but a “feature” of their well thought-out strategy! Brings back memories.
The problem with Microsoft going with their “I’m a PC” ad campaign, is that it overlooks an important point: a Mac is a PC too.
And Apple made that point over two years ago.
Hah, you know what? After watching it again, I’m thinking Apple could simply re-air that 2006 “Touché” ad, in response to Microsoft’s current ad campaign. That’d take the wind out of Microsoft’s sails a bit, wouldn’t it?
Basic flaw with this new ad campaign…”walls and windows”. Wait until someone points out that once you don’t have walls, you don’t need windows. Yikes!
Ice breaker? Is that a euphemism for ‘abject failure’? Complete waste of time and money?
Many times in my life I have wondered how someone could be so stupid as to believe that a product (e.g., Seinfeld ad for Windows) was worth the time and resources to develop. How in heck did the first two ads make it through to actually see the light of day?
And yet again, MSFT actions in any endeavor, like these ads, just parallels their whole plan for their OS – no cohesive long range plan or dedication to the consumers, just fly-by-night reactionary copycat imitation of latest tech fad and passe senior management opinions. 2005? They can search the whole company for real geeks and all they can find is a manager that’s only been there for <3 years and probably responsible for the hated Vista OS!!!??? If MSFT has any sense they’d realize the Mac heads taking their money and making their ads are purposefully trying to ruin them with incompetent products – wait, that is the definition of trying to do anything with MSFT.
In the new MS ad some people say “I’m a PC” but why do some sound like they are saying “I’m a pissy”?
Balmer is supposed to be a seller’s world product? Damn it! The whole MS campaign is a perfect marketing error! MS totally fails and misses the point here!
This all thing makes MS look too ridiculous…
Please Balmer, agree with that and take back that money to make a better OS!
The ad shouts this….
“LOOK. SOME PEOPLE HAVEN’T TRIED A MAC YET..!”
Saw the “new” I’m a Pee Sea ad last night.
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
But the message is pretty pathetic: We’re sort of cool too. We really are!
What is this supposed to be, a feel good moment for victims of Microsoft’s rapacity?
Their first test campaign was “I chose Vista”, but they couldn’t find anyone as a case study.
Their second test campaign was “I chose Windows”, but everyone they chose were already switching to Mac.
Personally, “I am a Parallel” and “I am a BootCamp” (for games)…
“Microsoft will be seen as a victim on the same day Ballmer is mistaken for Brad Pitt.”
LMAO.
The whole affair is ridiculous…
Also
Advertising 101…
Talk about YOUR COMPANYS BENIFITS
Micro$hit is NOT a PC… and never has been. DUH!
Micro$hit makes SOFTWARE, not Personal Computers. DUH!
“I’m a PC”… Isn’t that part of an ad campaign from Apple Inc. DUH!
Again they copy Apple,
and Again they only get it half right.
I must go short the stock.