Opinion: New Windows Ads – Confusing or Genius?
Even though the Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld ads were almost immediately deemed confusing, ineffective and worse yet – unfunny, it appears they did manage to at least get people’s attention. However, the new hot rumor running rampant on the internet is that Seinfeld was fired and Microsoft is now panicking to push out their next step. Other “sources” from within Microsoft are insisting it’s all part of a multi-phase ad campaign and they are simply moving on to the next phase.
But with the new “I’m a PC” ads, it looks like they scrambled to put something together that doesn’t really set or match the tone of the original commercials/message. To make matters worse, the new commercial opens with a John-Hodgman look-a-like saying “I’m a PC and I’ve been made into a stereotype.” They paid over $300 million for the Seinfeld ads and this was the best they could do? A swipe at the competition?
Don’t get me wrong- it’s a better commercial than the Seinfeld spots but it’s not as effective as if I had seen it with a clean frame of mind. Instead, I’m sitting here wondering what the possible phases Microsoft could have planned since these first two don’t seem like they intertwine at all.
Which leads to the question – even if no one likes these commercials, does the fact that everyone is talking about them, mean they are effective? In my opinion, other than reminding everyone that Microsoft is alive and well, I can’t seem to recognize a call to action. There’s not even a mention of Vista in the second phase.
No one will really know until there’s been more time to measure the results but ask yourself this – are you any more inclined to try Vista (against public opinion, outcry and perception) based on Jerry Seinfeld buying discount shoes or Eva Longoria sitting poolside?
I’ll withhold final judgment until I’ve seen everything but so far I’m not convinced…
You can read more here, here and here.
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