Microsoft's new ad campaign

Buzzby · 09-25-2008, 02:30 AM

I've been trying to figure out where MS is going with this campaign. First there were a couple of commercials with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfled that mentioned nothing about computers Now they've got one with someone doing their John Hodgeman impression ("I'm a PC.") and then a bunch of people of all ages, races, economic statuses, and nationalities repeating "I'm a PC". What does that mean? That there are a lot more people using Windows than using MacOS? That's like saying you should be driving a Chevy instead of a Mercedes because more people drive Chevies.

Unless they start pointing out where the Windows OS is superior to the competitions' operating systems, why would these commercials induce more people to like Windows? (It's not as if they don't already control more than 90% of personal computers around the world.)

Trocisp · 09-25-2008, 02:30 AM

The attempt is to show that Windows is cool.

It is not.

Nor is OS X.

On either account, you're using an interface which has not been properly developed or optimized to run on the hardware configuration or applications which you most often use. You are simply settling for what's easiest for you.

If you wanted 'cool,' which in my opinion would be the best utilization of your resources, you would optimize your system based on the usages you wanted to get out of it.

On a personal computer (Laptop, Work Desktop), this isn't of any real need - since the vast majority of users will never require full utilization of resources. Which is where the real facts come into it; It's all a matter of personal choice, since neither option will offer a person a significant advantage over the other.

edit: /facepalm

This was about the advert campaign specifically.

Okay; and to go on about the actual topic of conversation, rather than my random thoughts....

The advert campaign, from what I read, was 'about nothing,' much like seinfeld, it was just to get microsofts name out there again.

**Vicki** · 09-25-2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trocisp

The attempt is to show that Windows is cool.

Yeah, I got that part, but wasn't fooled.

**Dark** · 09-25-2008, 03:04 AM

I personally think its good advertisement
They were eating shit for a while from Mac with their commercials.

The Seifeld commercials were..alright, but the point of these were to show that Microsoft is not all business as the Mac commercials try to show. Like Tro said, they are trying to be cool, which they aren't....but I still like the advertisements.

"I wear jeans"
"and I study genes"
"and I design jeans"
....

It's a simple message, and it's the first line in the commercial.
"I'm a PC, and I've been made into a stereotype". Where Mac is trying to send the image where every PC user is nothing but a geek, PC is sending a message that there are many groups that can enjoy the experience of the PC.
Simply a reply to Mac's advertisements, and IMO, a good one.

Trocisp · 09-25-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark

Simply a reply to Mac's advertisements, and IMO, a good one.

Hi, I'm a calender year, and my name is 2006.

I'm when the Mac Adverts started running.

**Dark** · 09-25-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trocisp

Hi, I'm a calender year, and my name is 2006.

I'm when the Mac Adverts started running.

And Mac is still coming out with new ones. The mac commercials turned out to be a popular commercial scheme

What exactly is your point.

**newcarcaviar** · 09-25-2008, 04:33 AM

I've seen some of the MS ads up on some video themed sites (Break, Ebaums, Collegehumor) but never bothered to watch them (I don't go there to watch ads). I can say, though, that the Mac commercials with John Hodgeman and Justin Long annoy the crap out of me! They're not funny and they're way too smug for for my liking. As far as I'm concerned it's just more pointless buy-this-buy-that drivel.

SpiralArchitect · 09-25-2008, 04:52 AM

Yeah, I think these commercials are parodying Seinfield, i.e. 'about nothing'.

Everyone knows what Windows is, why would they need to create a clever ad campaign or 'sell' their product, when they already the most popular OS by far?

**Vicki** · 09-25-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiralArchitect

Everyone knows what Windows is, why would they need to create a clever ad campaign or 'sell' their product, when they already the most popular OS by far?

True, but maybe Mac is taking more of their profits than they would like, and Gates is scared!

**ITG** · 09-25-2008, 02:18 PM

Frankly, I don't give a damn about how this plays out, as long as it kills those stupid "I'm a Mac/PC" ads by Apple. The simple facts are a) Mac is a PC too. Wonderful comprehension the people at Mac have, or perhaps the just think their target market is too stupid to know what a "personal computer" actually is, and b) If you know what you're doing, then you will have no problems doing anything you want to do on a PC. I haven't seen a BSOD or had my computer crash since XP came out; I can just as easily back up my files for transfer to Windows as I can for Mac, etc. The real message of the Mac ads seems to me to be "you're too stupid to know how to do this stuff yourself, so we'll do it for you."

Don't get me wrong, Mac is just as viable and useful a system as Windows. But damn do I hate their marketing.

09-25-2008, 02:30 AM	#1
Buzzby Buddhist Curmudgeon Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 16,796 Grams: 91,121.27 Thanks: 995 Thanked 6,788 Times in 3,136 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Microsoft's new ad campaign I've been trying to figure out where MS is going with this campaign. First there were a couple of commercials with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfled that mentioned nothing about computers Now they've got one with someone doing their John Hodgeman impression ("I'm a PC.") and then a bunch of people of all ages, races, economic statuses, and nationalities repeating "I'm a PC". What does that mean? That there are a lot more people using Windows than using MacOS? That's like saying you should be driving a Chevy instead of a Mercedes because more people drive Chevies. Unless they start pointing out where the Windows OS is superior to the competitions' operating systems, why would these commercials induce more people to like Windows? (It's not as if they don't already control more than 90% of personal computers around the world.) __________________ 60% of the people of America now say we are heading toward a depression. Not a recession, a depression. We are in desperate need of profitable industries that we can tax. Um... Now can we legalize pot? ~ Bill Maher Theocracy Watch

09-25-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
Trocisp Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,214 Grams: 49,800.68 Thanks: 783 Thanked 1,452 Times in 890 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	The attempt is to show that Windows is cool. It is not. Nor is OS X. On either account, you're using an interface which has not been properly developed or optimized to run on the hardware configuration or applications which you most often use. You are simply settling for what's easiest for you. If you wanted 'cool,' which in my opinion would be the best utilization of your resources, you would optimize your system based on the usages you wanted to get out of it. On a personal computer (Laptop, Work Desktop), this isn't of any real need - since the vast majority of users will never require full utilization of resources. Which is where the real facts come into it; It's all a matter of personal choice, since neither option will offer a person a significant advantage over the other. edit: /facepalm This was about the advert campaign specifically. Okay; and to go on about the actual topic of conversation, rather than my random thoughts.... The advert campaign, from what I read, was 'about nothing,' much like seinfeld, it was just to get microsofts name out there again. Last edited by Trocisp : 09-25-2008 at 02:43 AM.

09-25-2008, 03:04 AM	#4
Dark Fool on the Hill Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5,466 Grams: 21,872.02 Thanks: 1,591 Thanked 2,489 Times in 1,314 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I personally think its good advertisement They were eating shit for a while from Mac with their commercials. The Seifeld commercials were..alright, but the point of these were to show that Microsoft is not all business as the Mac commercials try to show. Like Tro said, they are trying to be cool, which they aren't....but I still like the advertisements. "I wear jeans" "and I study genes" "and I design jeans" .... It's a simple message, and it's the first line in the commercial. "I'm a PC, and I've been made into a stereotype". Where Mac is trying to send the image where every PC user is nothing but a geek, PC is sending a message that there are many groups that can enjoy the experience of the PC. Simply a reply to Mac's advertisements, and IMO, a good one. __________________ Dear Ndugu, *Sometimes you have to lose your mind before you come to your senses*

09-25-2008, 04:33 AM	#7
newcarcaviar Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,832 Grams: 20,840.55 Thanks: 981 Thanked 815 Times in 457 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	I've seen some of the MS ads up on some video themed sites (Break, Ebaums, Collegehumor) but never bothered to watch them (I don't go there to watch ads). I can say, though, that the Mac commercials with John Hodgeman and Justin Long annoy the crap out of me! They're not funny and they're way too smug for for my liking. As far as I'm concerned it's just more pointless buy-this-buy-that drivel. __________________ Shine on, Syd. 1946-2006

09-25-2008, 04:52 AM	#8
SpiralArchitect The Cosmic Chronic Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,861 Grams: 53,853.22 Thanks: 5,020 Thanked 3,991 Times in 2,033 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: -1.000%	Yeah, I think these commercials are parodying Seinfield, i.e. 'about nothing'. Everyone knows what Windows is, why would they need to create a clever ad campaign or 'sell' their product, when they already the most popular OS by far? __________________ . . Posting Guidelines ~ The Art of Searching ~ Drug Testing ~ Drug War Headlines ~ Fuck Combustion ~ The Garden's Cure ~ Marijuana Chat~ ShowMeTheFacts

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