“Last year, Apple’s ad spend vaulted to US$133 million, surpassing Hewlett-Packard and IBM (according to the tracking firm TNS Media Intelligence),” Webster writes. “But Number One, of course, was Microsoft. Microsoft spent US$191 million.”
“Apple’s ads have fared well in ‘the war for consumers’ hearts,'” Webster writes. “They reiterate a common message, clear to every viewer.”
“Microsoft’s ‘Shoe Circus’ ad, in which the exceedingly well-paid Jerry Seinfeld helped the exceedingly well-heeled Bill Gates (the former CEO of Microsoft) buy shoes, really was a circus. It failed miserably with consumers. After seeing the ad, both Apple and Microsoft users polled in New York had more negative perceptions of Microsoft in the areas of innovation, technology, trouble-free design, warranty and pricing,” Webster writes. “I figured this must have been a bad thing for Microsoft at the time … until I figured out Microsoft’s exceedingly cunning plan: that’s what Microsoft wants you to think! How else do you differentiate from a company (Apple) that’s perceived as smart, click, clever, well designed and functional?”
“Microsoft, apparently not wanting to do things by half measures, has taken its approach right to the top of the firm,” Webster writes. “How do you come up with someone who is the complete opposite of Steve Jobs? Jobs is slick, a great presenter who has defined ‘smart-casual’ as top executive dress (hear hear – suits and ties are so last century). Jobs is almost worshipped by the Apple fans and has a clear cut, autocratic style that has stamped its mark on high-quality Apple-badged products for decades.”
Webster writes, “Enter stage right – Steve Ballmer! It’s pure genius! What lengths will Microsoft go to next?”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: May Steve Ballmer remain Microsoft CEO for as long as it takes!
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “iSteve” for the heads up.]
I didn’t know there were pictures on Bing. I NEVER Bing.
Very well said!
Dude, without these companies spending this money how many more people would be unemployed from ad agencies, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations, not to mention the people who put up billboards and ads at the bus stop. I won’t even go into how many people are employed due to the products that the ads sell. Think about it…
I thought Bing was a candy bar. Too many Bings will give you diarrhea.
@X
Make that Balmer and Bush!
@Steve Howe
“Last year, Apple’s ad spend vaulted to US$133 million, surpassing Hewlett-Packard and IBM. But Number One, of course, was Microsoft. Microsoft spent US$191 million.”
“And so many hungry, homeless, sick and ill-educated people in the world. Shame on both of you”
Helping people who are less fortunate is definitely worthwhile.
The fact that a wealthy corporation spends money on advertising doesn’t preclude it, or it’s stockholders and employees from charitable giving.
@macerroneous
“I didn’t know there were pictures on Bing. I NEVER Bing.”
Me neither!
To give the devil his due, windows 7 ain’t half bad. There. I said it.
That was the most sarcastically fun yet accurate article i’ve ever read. spot on!
Julian @ http://no-spamming/
@ Steve Howe
“Last year, Apple’s ad spend vaulted to US$133 million, surpassing Hewlett-Packard and IBM. But Number One, of course, was Microsoft. Microsoft spent US$191 million.”
And so many hungry, homeless, sick and ill-educated people in the world. Shame on both of you.
Um… you DO realize that money is being used to PAY PEOPLE who do the ad work, right? It’s not like it’s being thrown away. It’s keeping people employed in a meaningful way.
(Also, I resent the fact that you’re using the name of such a brilliant guitarist to post such idiocy. Thinking for just five seconds should have told you this.)
It is so refreshing to read professional quality satire of the vile and ridiculous Microsoft.
Regarding 7ista: It’s Microsoft’s promised Windows Vista, well mostly, finally delivered yet-another 2 years late.
If having Microsoft take 7 (S E V E N) (irony!) years to come up with a decent operating system replacement for Windows XP is *encouraging* to anyone, using the Mac is probably going to be a *little* bit too *speedy* for you. Stick with your PC.