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Microsoft enlists Jerry Seinfeld to counter Apple’s deceptive and unethical advertising
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious problem with Apple’s “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads. I think the whole campaign incredibly deceptive and unethical. Its one of the main reasons I have never made the switch to Apple - and I have been tempted on several occasions.
Microsoft is finally fighting back. Yeah, its about time, Bill. They’ve enlisted Jerry Seinfeld in a $300 million anti-apple ad campaign. From CrunchGear:
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Microsoft is launching a $300 million ad campaign starting September 4th. The ads will star none other than Jerry Seinfeld, who’s reported to be receiving about $10 million. Not bad, eh?
The campaign is being developed to combat the negative image that many consumers have about Windows Vista and also to finally push back against Apple’s popular Mac vs. PC campaign.
So who will star opposite of Seinfeld in the Microsoft commercials? Bill Gates himself! While that could be seen as a bold and potentially dangerous move, the ad campaign will be the brainchild of agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the company behind Burger King ads (The King), Coke Zero (Coke wants to sue Coke Zero for taste infringement), and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
The campaign will play off the slogan “Windows, Not Walls” and push the idea of “breaking down barriers that prevent people and ideas from connecting.” That doesn’t sound all that funny, but here’s to hoping from some hilarity on September 4th.
I’m excited to see the ads. The Coke Zero lawsuit ad campaign was absolutely brilliant.
This announcement also comes right on the heals of Mike Arrington’s recent lamenting of Apple’s service and quality problems. Arrington said of Apple:
They need to get their house in order or they risk alienating all these new customers they’ve added over the last few years. The new buyers aren’t Apple fanatics and won’t sit quietly as they try to access broken services via failing hardware.
Indeed. Apple’s new customers are mostly a bunch of “me too” college kids who won’t sit quietly while their overpriced Apple products crash and break. Wait, I thought Macs didn’t crash? Oh, and then there’s also the issue with all the iPhone problems. Apple is promising a fix by September.
Whatever.
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times: stay above the fray and away from the hype.
Apple is the perfect case study in brand hype.
I hope Jerry brings his “A” game to the commercials. Bee Movie was pathetic (though Seinfeld’s recent show in SLC was great). Should be fun to watch.
Left by Blake on 08/21/2008I wrote a tongue in cheek article on my blog about two weeks ago listing my top ten reasons why Jerry Seinfeld should not be punting Windows Vista.
Here are some highlights:
* The campaign is badly positioned. Jerry is 54 years old. He is basically only representing 7% of the global computer users.
* Making me laugh at witty quips is not going to sway any business decision I make, regarding the future direction of my IT department for the next 3-5 years. Also his jokes and good humor will not cover the ever escalating license costs from Microsoft.
Here is the link:
http://bossmanthe.blogspot.com/2008/08/10-reasons-why-jerry-seinfeld-should.html
Enjoy the laughs!
Left by Rexmanthe on 09/11/2008