Say what you like about the Microsoft advertising campaign in the US featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld, but at least it got people talking.
The ad, which premiered in the US earlier this month (see the YouTube clip here), puzzled tech analysts by neglecting to mention any Microsoft product, apart from one (probably) tongue-in-cheek future venture - see Baffling Microsoft advert promises edible PCs.
But after much hype surrounding the recruitment of Seinfeld as the face of the Microsoft campaign, news arrives today that he's been dropped. Fair enough, you might think, but I found the campaign's effort to portray Bill Gates, who remains the face of Microsoft to most people despite stepping down from his full-time position earlier this year, as a quirky but lovable character a sensible move given that Microsoft usually plays the role of the evil monopolist.
But what's most strange about the decision to drop Seinfeld is the campaign that's been chosen to replace it. Apparently, one of the new adverts will feature someone who looks like the 'PC' character in the US version of Apple's 'Get A Mac' ads. It'll start with the character saying "Hello, I'm a PC and I've been made into a stereotype".
So, just when we've finally seen the back of those Apple ads, Microsoft hits back with a 'me too' advert that mimics the campaign run by its much smaller rival. Can it really be that Microsoft gave millions of dollars to an advertising agency to develop a clever campaign, and all they could come up with something that copied the ad that did all the damage in the first place?
The counterattack strategy is said to be typical for the ad agency, Crispin Porter & Bogusky, behind the campaign. And who knows, perhaps it will do the trick.
But I have to admit, I was keen to see the next instalment (or instalments) of the Seinfeld ad, just to see where it was going - there must have been some grand plan behind the first, baffling instalment. Am I alone?
Comments
murphyman said: no you are not alone it showed a new side to billbless him-
warrenC said: Well theres Mac OS v Windows safari versus internet explorer iphone versus windows mobile Apple and Microsoft are competitors Lets not get carried away with what are just adverts but the Seinfield advert was at least entertaining and different
elgarak said: The biggest problem with directly acknowledging Apples campaign is this Apple is not a direct competitor of Microsoft Microsoft makes software for the most part Apple makes hardware which incidentally can run all of Microsofts products Apple can attack the PC ecosystem Microsoft cannot strike back using the same methodIMO a continuation of the Bill amp Jerry commercials would be a wiser move Theyre weird true but I can see them working for what Microsoft wants to achieve