Microsoft's First Seinfeld Ad Airs: Shoe Circus

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

As promised (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/21/microsoft-hiring-seinfeld-for-major-ad-campaign/), Microsoft has started running their new ads using comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The ad has already been spotted by a number of readers.

The first in presumably a series of ads show Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld in Shoe Carnival. A YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz6amk3P-hY) is available.

Seinfeld was reportedly paid $10 million for his work in this series of ads.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/04/microsofts-first-seinfeld-ad-airs-shoe-circus/)

[Sirobin]

Hmm, I still think it's weird that they chose Seinfeld for this.

[scottintosh]

I thought it was decent, but it doesn't say anything about Vista. If I just randomly saw that on TV, I think that I would be confused by it.

Edit: actually, after watching it again, I think it was a terrible ad.

[zap2]

Wasn't bad...I like Seinfeld, and it felt a lot like a quick burst of that, which is nice. The jump to Microsoft talk wasn't super smooth, but it was decent, over all an above average ad, I would watch it if it came on TV, I think

[fivepoint]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

[Tilpots]

Edible computers? What was the point? They must be using McCain's speech writers.

[Grimace]

Worst
Ad
Ever?

Seinfeld reminds me of the mid 1990s. Kinda like Microsoft...

[a1016neo]

I really don't get this ad at all

[iToaster]

That totally makes me want to go buy a copy of Vista.

Seriously though, that could be a commercial for anything until the end until they're like "oh, by the way, this is a commercial for Windows, we almost forgot."

[skillz1318]

I don't get it....so uh why should I buy Vista? If not Bill Gates will have to shop at Shoe Cirus?

[DaLurker]

Seems too clever for their own good, I imagine there will be a lot of very confused consumers after viewing this ad.

[APPLENEWBIE]

OK. A little background. I used to work for a large bank, producing it's TV commercials. Won some awards. I think I have an eye for good commercials. Anyway, I just watched it again. until the last 15 seconds, there is no indication what they are trying to sell. And I wonder if most viewers even recognize Gates until he flashes his "card."

The inference that microsoft (Bill) is all about discount merchandise is, uh, interesting... Is the idea that he walks in "everyman's" shoes supposed to tell us that what-ever-the-hell it is they are selling is for the masses? Man, I just don't get this at all.

On the other hand, I thought Bill actually did pretty well. Doing that much acting is harder than it looks. I would love to see what ended up on the "cutting room floor."

[powerbuddy]

Wow. Disappointing. Is this the best they can come up with? I hope there's more (more decent ones).

[ryanwarsaw]

I am going to run out and buy the new line of shoes from MS.

[DOUGHNUT]

10 million and this is what they could come up with? The I'm a Mac/I'm a PC ad from Apple is much much more effective IMO.

[Vanilla Thunder]

so stupid...

[Mykbibby]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

Let the games begin.

I wrote my thoughts on my blog. (http://macsoda.com/2008/09/05/the-easiest-10-million-bucks-ever-made/)

[Flanagan]

the answer is yes

[KingYaba]

Revamp Microsoft's image? Hahahahaha well, that ad was worth every dime. :)

[Ntombi]

Uh...no.

[Salavat23]

The ad has absolutely no substance.

Nothing on Vista.

Simply a pathetic attempt.

We should have at least seen some Vista features/benefits.

[tgildred]

Yeah. It was entertaining, but I'm not sure how far this goes to make Vista seem more appealing. Perhaps it's step one in a long series or Seinfeld/Gates ads that builds to a larger message. But so far, I'm not getting it. It made me want to watch Seinfeld, though. And buy shoes.

[APPLENEWBIE]

They must be using McCain's speech writers.

Easy Cowboy... McCain is a mac guy. So is Obama. Decisions decisions...

[dukebound85]

i thought the ad was for the conquistador shoe haha

[casik]

Jerry - "I'm Mac"

Bill - "and I'm PC".....

[Ha ze]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

Funny.. thats EXACTLY what I said

[Fearless Leader]

i was a little lost and confused. but some of the apple ads were off as well.

[herbalizer]

Wow, that was incredibly bad. Micro$oft has 90 quadrillion dollars and they can't hire someone to make them a decent add?

I can just picture the dopes at the MS board meeting that thought that add was a real knee slapper.

Maybe they hired the same folks that put on the republiscum convention. Great stuff...

[cere]

That really did not seem like a broadcast ad. It seemed more like a video shot quickly for a staff conf or dev meet. If it does air, I guess it is supposed to soften the MS image. The problem is it doesn't. It doesn't present another image. It doesn't present anything at all. It is really, a commercial about nothing with the star from a show about nothing, who happened to own Macs when doing the show. meh

[KAD]

What the crap is the point. First of all, is this supposed to make me want to buy Microsoft? Second, why does Bill Gates shake his :eek: at the end? I don't think anyone really wants to see that.

[jvlog]

while it wasn't torture to watch, how is that going to sell vista
p.s. may be the point is it's a commercial about nothing

[NT1440]

lol its essentially a "hold on and wait for windows 7" commercial

not a mention of vista, just "the future"

[Thedspeth]

I believe something I've heard the kids saying lately is "EPIC FAIL"

I think that applies here!:D

[samh004]

I am completely lost, I don't understand that ad at all.

[jvlog]

lol its essentially a "hold on and wait for windows 7" commercial

not a mention of vista, just "the future"

and cake computers
if windows 7 makes me cake im so switching, unless snow leopard can come up with a wider multitude of tasty baked confections:D

[MacGeekDC]

God that was a bad ad:eek:

[Warbrain]

Well, uh, that sucked.

[APPLENEWBIE]

There is a saying in advertising that one-half of every advertising budget is a complete waste of money. The only problem is, you don't know which half is wasted.

Tonight I think I saw which half.

[Prof.]

Ummmmm WTF was that? it has nothing to do with M$

[NAG]

Interesting ad. Not sure if it will have its intended effect (it is trying to revitalize their image, not sell anything...which is a weird move but whatever). At least it isn't ms telling their customers they're idiots this time.

[themoonisdown09]

I think the only thing this ad will do is get more people shopping at Shoe Circus.

[oacory]

I don't get it...
It kinda reminds me of the Yao Ming, Yogi Berra Commercial. But that commercial kinda made since. MS could never come up with a 1984 ad.

[betaboy78]

Yeah . . . if MS really wants to throw $$$ away, they can just email me and i can tell them where to send me a check.

Oh wait, isn't there some sort new technology they are working on that will track emails and they will send you like $10,348.29 if you forward it? Yeah, I think so. I should totally forward that to all of my friends. :rolleyes:

[skeep5]

Perhaps it's step one in a long series or Seinfeld/Gates ads that builds to a larger message.

i'd say its definitely the first in a long series, its for branding not for quick sales. they're trying to revamp the image, the brand, not sell the latest version of windows. and how do you do that? you get seinfeld to come do your spots and make you look cool instead of inept.

[angemon89]

The mugshot platinum card was awesome.

[mac 2005]

I don't get it. I just don't get it.

There's neither corporate branding nor product promotion, just an overpaid celebrity and a misled CEO.

[corbywan]

I'd want my money back if I paid for it.

Although, when you think about it, it does sum up the Windows experience. Mundane, trial error, something you have to do from time to time, and kinda white trash.

[skottichan]

That really did not seem like a broadcast ad. It seemed more like a video shot quickly for a staff conf or dev meet. If it does air, I guess it is supposed to soften the MS image. The problem is it doesn't. It doesn't present another image. It doesn't present anything at all. It is really, a commercial about nothing with the star from a show about nothing, who happened to own Macs when doing the show. meh



I caught it on the air, was watching stuff blow up on Discovery, and my girlfriend was like "wtf is Bill Gates doing with Seinfeld?".


I watched the commercial, and had I not noticed the windows logo at the end, I wouldn't have known it was a windows commercial.

[Mac OS X Ocelot]

I've seen it three times tonight, and I totally don't get the commercial. I also don't find it funny.

[lovetheduns]

It was just.... weird.

When I saw it come on, I actually stopped whatever I was doing and watched it (since I had first read about them here on macrumors). Then, I sat there kind of.. dumbfounded.

In my opinion, Bill seemed awkward-- and Jerry--- well I liked Seinfeld and all, but these days seeing him and his comedy is like a trip back to the 90s as someone else said.

I guess I kind of realized that they were trying to soften Microsoft's image-- but the whole idea of showing Bill Gates in a normal shoe store being a normal guy is a little too hard for me to suspend reality and consider that this is the same dude that lives in an almost 50k square foot house which cost around some 100 million dollars to just build.

So... when I thought of it in that way--- I felt more conned than anything else.

Poor Bill- I am sure he must be a nice guy and all, but he reminds me of those folks who are not really the true natural leaders, but they try ever so hard to be liked, lead, and innovative.

[jessica.]

Well, I don't get it. I mean I feel very compelled to eat a churro and buy some shoes. Was that the point? This isn't about windows either, I just didn't quite get the point of that long ass commercial.

[iCries]

really really boring to be honest. :(

[macloverg2007]

I want to eat a computer.... lol:D

[RRRize]

The concept of that commercial epitomizes the very essence of Vista - truly left me thinking, "Why did they do that?":confused:

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (16GB, 2.0.2 JB'd): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

They must be using McCain's speech writers.

Easy Cowboy... McCain is a mac guy. So is Obama. Decisions decisions...

Now see, that's FAR more interesting to me than this commercial, even as a Seinfeld fan who owns the entire series on DVD. ;)

Are they both Mac guys? Really? I would've thought that fossil McCain wouldn't know a computer from a hole in the ground, but maybe I was wrong.

[kwood]

I just don't get it...

[gavinjny]

I dont own a mac
Never post anything

I was taking a brake from the McSame speech and figured I'd blog dive.
I registered to say this...
<b>Seriously, THAT WAS TERRIBLE</b>

[illegalprelude]

umm...I 2nd the WTF.....Unless MS really how a Chewy Computer coming out soon that the 3rd add is going to lead up to or something...other wise...wtf....

[ayzee]

Cant understand what they are trying to achieve with this commercial, and im a technology fan. So what would the average non-tech person think about it?? Compared to the Mac adverts, this is so so poor its strange

[eff pc]

i thought i was watching an episode of seinfeld with bill gates as a guest star, not a windows commercial.

[TheAnswer]

So ten is a perfect fit for Gates, huh? Maybe he needs to try an OS of the same size/number. :D:D:D

An EPIC FAIL to Crispin Porter & Bogusky for letting that one slip through.

[fleshman03]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

Let me be the second to say
"WTF?"

Edible computers? What was the point? They must be using McCain's speech writers.

HaHa. Delicious.

Seriously, I have no idea what they are selling.

Are they comparing M$ to a ... discount ... shoe ... store? Am I the only one who has had bad experiences buying stuff from discount places? Redmond should have rethought this one.

[nagromme]

I found myself inadvertently doing an impression of Homer Simpson watching Bollywood.

[DPinTX]

Let me be the third to say it.

"WTF?"

Well I watched it on the local fox station and had to use the rewind and call the wife in to watch it... She was lost also I told her well everyone know who Bill Gates and Jerry Sinced is.. Just then my 8yr old said I dont know who he is then she ask why would you want to eat a computer that would taste yucky

[parkds]

That was really horrible. It was neither funny, edgy, nor compelling. I haven't seen Seinfeld that unfunny since the finale of his show.

[zzcoop]

Meh. I like Jerry and all, but that was just stupid.

Although, I am hungry for a churro now. Damn you, Seinfeld!

[sgntscrawn]

To be fair, the 1984 Apple commercial didn't exactly make much sense at first either. Not that I'm saying this ad is by any stretch of the imagination in the same league.

To be completely honest, I think the best thing M$ can do for itself is disassociate itself with Vista as much as possible, and look to the "future". Lets face it, Vista was terrible, everyone knows it, including Bill Gates. The quicker they can distance themselves from it and move on the better the company will be.

However, I still think that M$ will continue to make the same mistake, and that is not to innovate enough or properly. That is where Apple has succeeded time and time again. They've innovated and taken risks with new things that may or may not succeed. They've had incredible luck/success, mainly because they've got smart people there and they listen to them.

In the end, Steve Jobs said it right: "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose". A better Microsoft makes better competition for Apple, makes a better Apple. Which is better for all of us :)

[GNice]

Wow...99% consumers won't have a clue what this is about. Bad, bad, bad...

[thejadedmonkey]

But so far, I'm not getting it. It made me want to watch Seinfeld, though. And buy shoes.

Me too! :D

uh... wtf?

Hopefully it's just one of many that builds brand image, because that really... what's the word I'm looking for... SUCKED!

[avv4293]

Have you guys noticed that the end, with the small windows logo in a plain background clearly resembles the end of Apple ads?

[citi]

Microsoft doesn't have to sell ANYTHING. They sell the #1 OS in the world. They are pretty stable from a software standpoint. We Mac people don't make up that much of a base. What are we 3%?

Rebranding is not to be confused with selling a product. This is public relations, not to mention, when was the last time we saw Steve Jobs in a mac commercial.

Think of it like Wendys. Put a face with a pleasant demeanor on the screen to remove the "Microsoft is the devil" mentality.

[iknowyourider]

OK, I read the first 64 post's and I'll be the first to say, I like it! What's not to like? I thought we were artists here.

[ajlevine]

This commercial reminds me of the E*Trade commercial from the Super Bowl where they had a dancing monkey for 30 seconds and said "We just wasted 2 million bucks. What are you doing with your money?"

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQMq5wtZcg

It is either the worst commercial ever or the best commercial ever. If they are intentionally blowing millions for stupid commercials, the joke is on us.

-Andy

[Lesser Evets]

I. Uh....

Yeah.

Was this selling Bill Gate's ass?

[SleepyHead157]

lol its essentially a "hold on and wait for windows 7" commercial

not a mention of vista, just "the future"

i was thinking the same thing. :)

[gehrbox]

It's a commercial designed to sell soon to be released Microsoft hardware (Sep 9) and Vista to people on the fence.

The ad campaign will probably start to make more sense as more of the commercials are rolled out.

The first half dozen of the "PC vs Mac guy" commercials looked pretty lame to me. I look forward to them now.

[lemoncrsh]

It seems like a new sitcom that will feature Bill Gates as a featured guest... WHACK!

PS Is Jerry worth $10M in 2008?

[daveman235]

hmm.... that was odd

[Shotgun OS]

I didn't even think this was an ad at first. I don't find Seinfeld funny at all and Bill Gates just kinda doesn't mesh with him. The only reason people will watch this commercial is because of the fact that the idea is so absurd. "Seinfeld.....Bill Gates...shoe store?" Yeah. That's all I got out of it.

EDIT: 10 million? Really? Wow. Sad.

[michaelvoigt]

Is the point that you get more for you money with Vista? Doesn't Vista cost just as much as Mac OS X .... and vista doesn't come with iLife software?

I really, really don't get it .... but then again I'm biased, look at the site that I'm blogging on.

Wait maybe the meaning is that cheap people should pay the same for Vista as Mac OS X and get less? Wouldn't cheap people want more for less? But then again they can get a eMachine at WalMart with OEM vista installed.

I'm lost and don't care so can someone dig up the receipt of the last Macintosh Jerry bought, or find a picture of him using the MacBook that we all know he owns at least one of. I'm almost positive he is still Mac based, or was mac based before this ad deal. Then things will get interesting.

I mean Jerry was in Apple's Think Different campaign >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Different

[tpk2002]

Worst
Ad
Ever?

Seinfeld reminds me of the mid 1990s. Kinda like Microsoft...

You know I enjoyed the ad a lot until I read what you said. Very well put. Gates was still very good in the ad though.

[kkat69]

I'm curious if they're going to do another add where it starts off with the seinfeld theme, then Balmer bust in the door like Kramer. Only thing is, he doesn't have the Kramer hair... OH WAIT, they can cast Balmer as George... "I WAS IN THE POOL!!!! I WAS IN THE POOL!!!"

[kainjow]

All I know is I want a churro now.

[kcroy]

That commercial sucked.

Would have been a good shoe commercial though.

I bet they get better.

[Telp]

Uhm, as a minute and a half of Seinfeld (someone I like) a good commercial. As for a Microsoft commercial, I don't get it. They talk about shoes for a minute and then the last 10 seconds they say something about moist computers? Correct me if I am wrong but...this did not make any sense, and with hardly a mention to microsoft, I question how well it will work.

[swingerofbirch]

1.5 minute commercials run on TV?

Adjust your shorts.....I thought, he's wearing pants not shorts...then the ass wiggle..then I realize shorts=boxer shorts, then I am thinking why does Jerry Seinfeld know that Bill Gates is wearing boxer shorts...then I am thinking of adjusting boxer shorts, why would you "adjust" anything unless you had a wedgie, then I am thinking of wedgies and moist soft cakes, and I am disgusted. To top it off, who would believe Bill Gates has technology secrets he would have give codes about? Microsoft is the opposite of secretive. They talk out their asses about the most ridiculous technology concepts that are just ideas floating around in their heads.

Also, I don't like Jerry Seinfeld.

[jmingin]

pretty much the stupid thing I've ever seen

[California King]

Wow, I hope all of them aren't like this. It was entertaining, but it didn't even mention Vista! Don't they want to change the negative reputation Vista has gotten?

EDIT: and no, that mojave commercial was pretty stupid.

[KCMichaelB]

Microsoft doesn't have to sell ANYTHING. They sell the #1 OS in the world. They are pretty stable from a software standpoint. We Mac people don't make up that much of a base. What are we 3%?

Rebranding is not to be confused with selling a product. This is public relations, not to mention, when was the last time we saw Steve Jobs in a mac commercial.

Think of it like Wendys. Put a face with a pleasant demeanor on the screen to remove the "Microsoft is the devil" mentality.

You nailed it! It's not about selling Vista. It's all about PR.

[DMann]

Edible computers? What was the point? They must be using McCain's speech writers.

Write on! Worst SNL skit I've seen to date. Sad performances on both venues.

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

...remember when people thought Apple wasn't specific enough in their Get a Mac ads?

Yeah.

[zombitronic]

I really, really wanted to vote positive. Then I watched it.

[gwest]

The only ad that I've seen Microsoft do that was worse was that Springsteen rip-off for Vista SP1.

Seinfeld's an embarrassment in this.

"There's a fine line between clever and...stupid."- Spinal Tap

[donlphi]

A couple of quirky guys. I like the fact that Bill Gates embraces his nerdiness, showing that he's human and has a sense of humor. I certainly wouldn't call it the worst commercial ever.

I'm not sure what it was about, but I laughed.

[thejakill]

needed kramer!

[darthraige]

Cause that ad has to do with computers.

[dmelgar]

Wow. I wasn't expecting much but it was MUCH worse than I ever imagined.
The image of Bill in the shower with shoes on... eeek.

[Daiden]

Decent ad, I hope the future ones are better.

[NRose8989]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

That's exactly what was going through my head........

[gnikcjack]

This ad actually makes all the sense in the world. If you run it side by side with an Apple ad, you would see that they both reflect what we come to expect from either company.

The windows ad is long and confusing, and leaves you scratching your head trying to figure out if/why you wasted your time watching it. It stars an older comedian whos humor can only be characterized as "dry", and even had people speaking other languages.

Apple's ads are short and to the point, within 2 seconds of "I'm a mac" and "I'm a PC" you know exactly what's going on, what to expect, and you're satisfied with the experience the first time around.

So in a sense, the commercial makes a hell of a lot of sense... would you expect anything else?

[Telp]

I'm lost and don't care so can someone dig up the receipt of the last Macintosh Jerry bought, or find a picture of him using the MacBook that we all know he owns at least one of. I'm almost positive he is still Mac based, or was mac based before this ad deal. Then things will get interesting.

I mean Jerry was in Apple's Think Different campaign >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Different

I think it's funny that Seinfeld would be a part of a campaign for both companies, at different times. I find it even more funny that Microsoft would pick someone that was in an Apple campaign, unless of course they were thinking, well we got Seinfeld, he WAS an Apple guy until we paid him the big bucks, I mean...until he used Vista...

[dwl017]

Sorry but I don't get :confused: shoes? snack food?

[Small White Car]

The American Express ads were great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcWNzN5wsss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6wNNVcmM0E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9IFeT2oyP0&feature=related

I can see that they're trying to emulate that here, and it works somewhat. By "works" I mean it's funny in a quirky way.

But it's not nearly as good as the AmEx ads, and doesn't even try to make a point. Overall I give it a C- as an ad, but an A- as a funny video. It WAS funny. I think everyone here is simply grading it as a Microsoft ad (not good) and not looking at it as pure entertainment (pretty good).

So it depends on how you look at it.

[TheNorthWaves]

dear god that was awful. I slap myself for even having remotely thought that ms could churn out anything decent, including an advertisement.

[lemoncrsh]

so wait...

The answer to what will become of Microsoft's future lies in Bill's ass?

Cun FUSED,
~Crsh

[Stang68]

I saw this on TV today during the Giants game and had no idea what it was for until they showed the little Microsoft logo at the end. It was funny, but didn't get one point across.

[DMann]

I'm curious if they're going to do another add where it starts off with the seinfeld theme, then Balmer bust in the door like Kramer. Only thing is, he doesn't have the Kramer hair... OH WAIT, they can cast Balmer as George... "I WAS IN THE POOL!!!! I WAS IN THE POOL!!!"

"Shrinkage, I swear.......... I WAS IN THE POOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!

Love Seinfeld - commercial was L-A-M-E.

[geerlingguy]

I didn't know the FailWhale® applied to Microsoft commercials... but I guess it does. I didn't know what the commercial was for until the last few seconds—even with Bill in it, I thought it could've been for just about anything (Viagra, Rolex, whatever).

And the humor must be for an older generation, because most of it was over my head (not that I'm an idiot, but I just didn't get all the references). Maybe you have to have watched Seinfeld to like Microsoft. If that's the case, I'm glad I don't have any Microsoft stock.

[eRondeau]

Makes perfect sense -- Microsoft and Seinfeld both peaked in 1993. :apple:

[ortuno2k]

WTH is this?
BORING...

[Tilpots]

...and did Bill Gates shake his booty or what? I don't think I ever want to see that one again. Maybe Newman's in the next one, as the Mac guy.

"Newman!":eek:

[Lepton]

Jerry: Let's do an ad about... nothing.

Bill: Nothing?

Jerry: NOTHING!

Bill: Really. Nothing?

Jerry: Absolutely NOTHING!!

[DMann]

so wait...

The answer to what will become of Microsoft's future lies in Bill's ass?

Cun FUSED,
~Crsh

This has always been the case.....why change things now?

[arn]

I actually disagree..

I think it's a fine ad.

Microsoft has an image problem. This is trying to make Microsoft warm/fuzzy. I enjoyed it. Even if it didn't sell a product.

arn

[born4sky]

what...... ??? I love mac commercials, but this is just something ridiculous.

[TruthMonger]

Edible computers? What was the point? They must be using McCain's speech writers.

Regardless of political preference, this is a computer-related forum. Please keep your political comments about the next president of the United States to yourself.

[Freis968]

What a piece of ****!

[nsbio]

That sounds like a profile message from a dating site. WTF

[benspratling]

They said Micro$oft paid Jerry Seinfeld $10 million. Judging from the ad, I'd say Steve (Jobs) paid him $20 million...

Micro$oft, you got screwed by Jerry. (Didn't you notice the Mac on his set?)

[Tilpots]

I actually disagree..

I think it's a fine ad.

Microsoft has an image problem. This is trying to make Microsoft warm/fuzzy. I enjoyed it. Even if it didn't sell a product.

arn


Dude, arn's getting a Dell!?:eek:

[rezonat0r]

You went full retard, Microsoft.

Never go full retard.

[nsbio]

I actually disagree..

I think it's a fine ad.


arn

It is a fine short film. They could certainly make some profit by selling a series of these. On iTunes. An ad? Hmmm...

[TEG]

1) The Ad was funny, but didn't say anything. It was mostly ego stroking for Seinfield and Bill Gates.

2) Anyone notice that the card used his mugshot from AZ?

3) The ad was filmed at "The Everett Mall" in Everett, WA, in a store space that has been no less than 10 things in the last 10 years. The Everett Mall, until recently was the lowest mall on the ladder around Seattle, and may still be due to the facelifts at other malls. I would have hoped that with M$ money they would have done it at "The Alderwood Mall", then they could have walked by the Apple Store and laughed.

TEG

[drumpat01]

I dont get it at all! I couldn't even tell it was a computer commerical until they flashed the Windows logo for 2 seconds at the very end. What was the point of that?

The Mac ads work because they clearly spell out the differences between OSX and Windows (well a lot of them do anyway) and they are actually funny. This was neither funny nor was it relevant to Windows Vista.

Come on Balmer, are you really that retarded?

[angelneo]

Personally I find the ad pretty boring and I'm not sure what kind of image are they selling. Warm & fuzzy? Not getting it. Maybe I'm not the demographics they are appealing to...

[sushi]

Enjoyed the ad. Thought that it was great for Shoe Circus.

Oh wait, it was for Vista. Guess I missed that part.

[Tilpots]

Regardless of political preference, this is a computer-related forum. Please keep your political comments about the next president of the United States to yourself.

Zing! Please, relax. It was a joke. McCain doesn't even use a computer.:)

[Vulcan]

Wow, just wow. Mac ads = 30 seconds, right to the point with a little humor. This ad, 90 seconds and I'm clueless.

[Lancetx]

I just saw it during the college football game on ESPN. I have to say that is almost certainly the worst commercial I have ever seen in my entire life. There is absolutely no point to it and it makes absolutely no sense. It's the most baffling and confusing excuse for a TV advertisement I can ever recall seeing. In all seriousness, if that's the best MS can come up with, they are truly done.

[nsbio]

Dell-licious .

[msheldrick]

Maybe they're trying to tell us that vista is a tight fit and has to be worn in?
or that it's experience is like a cheap shoe...

[jlange]

I'm just going to go out on a limb here, and flame all over this post if you want.


WHAT THE F&$K?


It just needed to be said.






False advertising written all over it...I can see it now...millions of zombie PC users sinking their teeth into their shiny new Dells.

Since I use PCs from time to time, I suppose that would include a part of me, then? I'll grab some silverware, maybe a little salt. Last time I remembered, Windows seemed a little bland.





All in good fun.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Jerry: Let's do an ad about... nothing.

Bill: Nothing?

Jerry: NOTHING!

Bill: Really. Nothing?

Jerry: Absolutely NOTHING!!

haha YES! Surely that is how it went!

[DMann]

Jerry: Let's do an ad about... nothing.

Bill: Nothing?

Jerry: NOTHING!

Bill: Really. Nothing?

Jerry: Absolutely NOTHING!!

Bill: It's gotta be about something

Jerry: Nothing, it's about NOTHING.
What did you do today?

Bill: I went to the shoe store....

Jerry: There's a commercial, right there.

Bill: Then, why would we be watching it.

Jerry: Because it's on TV.

Bill: Not YET, it isn't ........ (holy vista, they actually aired it....)

Now, who can we find to play Susan?

[crees!]

What the heck was that crap. At 1:30 minutes that has to be for online only. This ad reinforces again that MS just doesn't get it. Why, at no point during it did they have my attention. I was literally spaced out saying "Whaaaaaa....t?" What ever the point was I didn't get it. Apple commercials, on the other hand, are short, to the point, and entertaining. How do you know they're successful? When you're called in from another room saying there's a new Apple ad on TV.

[brad.c]

Microsoft has an image problem. This is trying to make Microsoft warm/fuzzy. I enjoyed it. Even if it didn't sell a product.


Without seeing any more spots, I have to agree. I think they are setting the groundwork for a larger concept on which future creatives will elaborate different MS offerings, both current and future.

If successful, the chemistry will evolve into a believable pairing.
If not, Bee Movie 2: Honey I spent the ad budget.

What I don't get is why Bill is involved, when he so recently and publicly withdrew from the day-to-day operations. It's Balmer that really needs an image make-over.

[iVoid]

So it's an ad about... nothing.


Money well spent there, Shoe Carnival.

[robbyx]

Shockingly weak. Nothing about that ad makes Windows even remotely attractive. The ad is long; it's slow; it's dull; the feeble attempts at humor are rather embarrassing. Wow. I'm really shocked that Microsoft can't do better.

[pohl]

I can't wait until someone out there uploads a youtube video or a photoshop image of what a Microsoft Cake(tm) might turn out like.

[TruthMonger]

I thought it was entertaining and attempted to make Gate look human (billionaire shopping at a discount shoe store). But, as a tool for offsetting the damage done by a hip, tongue-in-cheek ad campaign from your main competitor...no way.

[Roller]

I was hoping that MS would rise up to the challenge posed by Apple's ad campaign (which itself is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth), but I was underwhelmed.

I wonder if the "ad about nothing" was intentional...

[reckless_0001]

I didn't get it, either... :confused:

[trd1282]

wait, I get it, Conquistador=Vista

He is trying on 'shoes' (different versions of vista) and the fit is 'tight' (performance/usability limited), Circus Clown Club (Microsoft).

These are all admissions that Vista...kinda blows, alright it blows.

They are obviously Windows 7 ads. They have finally forfeited...

[D-Love]

Microsoft paid $10 million for that? :confused:

[batchtaster]

That was so boring, obtuse and not even slightly funny.

Two thumbs up to Microsoft.

[jshbckr]

I literally laughed out loud at:

"Is that your toe?"

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"Leather."

[Veritas&Equitas]

Easy Cowboy... McCain is a mac guy. So is Obama. Decisions decisions...
Actually, McCain said about a month ago he's never used a computer. True story.

[DPinTX]

You went full retard, Microsoft.

Never go full retard.

Now that's funny

[Maczamillion]

i thought the ad was for the conquistador shoe haha

You know they run tight. :apple:

[scharlston]

dude? what the h#$@ was the big M thinking? shoe circus? you've got to be kidding me. Makes me glad I don't work for them anymore!!

[nemaslov]

Microsoft should demand 9 million 9 thousand and 9 hundred dollars back right away!!!

[BiikeMike]

I saw it today during the Redskins game on NBC. If I hadn't read the rumors on here beforehand, I would have been EXTREMELY confused why Sienfeld and Gates were in a Shoe commercial. As it stands, I'm just somewhat confused. I knew it was a Windows commercial from the start just because of the cast, but I still don't get what they are advertising...

Delicious? It didn't mention Vista at all. VERY odd.

[Phormic]

A warm and fuzzy attempt to repair a brand hated by almost everybody, which says absolutely nothing whatsoever.

[bdkennedy1]

I think the point of the commercial is to show Microsoft relaxed and jovial...

and to remind everyone that it's middle-aged by using aged sitcom comedians, and that people that stood in line for Windows 95 are 13 years older.

[macguy7325]

All this ad is going to do is sell fictional shoes, because when you try to print in Windows and it fails, you're going to need new shoes to walk the hand-written memo over to your colleague on the other side of the office.

Microsoft *needs* to get their money back from this unmitigated fiasco. In fact, that's being too generous. There aren't words strong enough to describe how badly this ad fails on every level.

I hate Microsoft, and yet my heart weeps for them...

[thulsmans]

entertaining... but what is it about and why do they flash thier logo like apple does at the end of their commericals?

[msheldrick]

This Commercial was "Short and Jocular"

[ingenious]

I don't get it.

I know what it's supposed to advertise, but what does it really?

It has horrid.

[tekcor]

My brain hurt at the sheer uselessness of that ad. Took too long to say absolutely nothing.

So, in short:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u224/SaneMadness/Failboat.jpg

[fjguerra]

Is that supposed to be funny?

[trd1282]

Conquistador = Vista

[TruthMonger]

Zing! Please, relax. It was a joke. McCain doesn't even use a computer.:)

...and the only reason Obama does is to Google himself... ;-)

[queshy]

$10 M? they should have dumped that wad of cash into R&D to make vista not suck so much anymore.

[Foxer]

It was random and I like random.

I'm a mac addict to the last, but I don't hate MS (I love my Xbox 360, after all), so I was willing to watch.

Moderately creative and totally non sequitor. Bill Gates wasn't nearly as wooden as he might have been.

No, it didn't sell Vista. I don't think it was trying to sell Vista. It's an effort to make the average folk think favourably about MS.

All in all, better than another car, viagra or cell phone commercial.

[toshiba1]

That membership card was his mug shot from being arrested in 1977!!

[Low]

i thought bill did a great job for not being an actor. good move by MS imo.

[sushi]

What I don't get is why Bill is involved, when he so recently and publicly withdrew from the day-to-day operations. It's Balmer that really needs an image make-over.
Disagree here. While Balmer may be in charge now, Bill Gates is the image of Microsoft.

wait, I get it, Conquistador=Vista

He is trying on 'shoes' (different versions of vista) and the fit is 'tight' (performance/usability limited), Circus Clown Club (Microsoft).
A stretch for sure, but it actually makes sense ... or does it.

If I knew nothing about computers, I would think that the ad was related to shoes or what Shoe Circus has to offer.

On a side note, I am not a fan of Seinfeld at all. I must admit, that he was at least tolerable in the ad.

[Enigmafan420]

Maybe I am tired-but it was LAME and I don't get it-it doesn't even mention Windows (which may not be a bad thing)-but it sure as hell doesn't make me want to go out and buy a PC either... :confused:

[zombitronic]

By the way,

http://www.tuaw.com/media/2006/03/apple1cake.jpg

http://bp1.blogger.com/_jHFsYHRLBSM/RdHTPwjPhOI/AAAAAAAAAP8/EVpEBlci8s4/s400/apple-cake.JPG

[w8ing4intelmacs]

The ad was 90 seconds. Would M$ really pay for three 30 sec slots to show this?

[DMann]

entertaining... but what is it about and why do they flash thier logo like apple does at the end of their commericals?

Typical MS clone-job - Replicate the surface, patch the system, and market, market, market.

[katanna]

Wow, that is the worst ad ever!

Bad jokes, terrible lines, awkward silence, and NOTHING about their product.

Wow... just, wow...

Matthew

[lgoodlove]

I watched this and almost thought it was a fake! I think they are trying to get bill and jerey to look like friends. When I saw the ending I though this is horrible but now that I think about it, it's better than most ads.

also it's kinda nice there not like shoving BUY VISTA in your face

[citi]

I literally laughed out loud at:

"Is that your toe?"

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"Leather."

I think he says, "Pleather" which makes it funnier.

[dornoforpyros]

huh??? :confused:

So the point of the campaign is to prove bill gates has a sense of humor? I thought that had been established.

I guess the hope is this goes viral or something, but right now I'm just scratching my head.

[brad.c]

Disagree here. While Balmer may be in charge now, Bill Gates is the image of Microsoft.

And at one point, Seinfeld was the image of NBC. ;)

[wheelhot]

Wow, thats the stupidest ad in my life. I dont even know what are they trying to tell even though I watch it for the second time.

OMG! I just watch the worst ad in my life for the second time :eek:

[Yvan256]

The photo on the membership card was a funny reference. Other than that, I can only wonder if Microsoft is going to start selling discount shoes or something.

"Eat our computers?" What?

[alchemistmuffin]

I BETTER expect that Apple would make another GET A MAC ad to combat this HORRIBLE AD.....

[1984]

Are they both Mac guys? Really? I would've thought that fossil McCain wouldn't know a computer from a hole in the ground, but maybe I was wrong.

Back during the primaries the Republicans running were asked whether they used a Mac or a PC. [VIDEO] (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-admits-he-doesnt-k_n_106478.html) They all said PC except Mitt Romney who said he used a PC but would probably convert to a Mac because that's what his kids use.

McCain said "Neither. I am an illiterate who has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance I can get."

I just saw the Microsoft commercial. What on earth was that? It wasn't even the slightest bit funny. Not at all what I was expecting.

[lemoncrsh]

just throwing this out there.

Vista should have been marketed in CURRENT media: Batman's BatMobile,new 007 "Gadgets" and various SUCCESSFUL movies and TV shows.

They could have focused on what they have recently done that has been positive like MS Surface. They need more branding and exposure in popular culture.

IMO, Their motto should be:

Enjoy the new. Vista.

-Crsh

[stagi]

That ad just sucked, I love it! Keep em coming microsoft.

[lgoodlove]

Typical MS clone-job - Replicate the surface, patch the system, and market, market, market.

not really they didn't copy apple a whole lot.
1. no side by side comparison
2. No negatives thrown at other company

and vista has been all about the lego for awhile now...soo just because they flash it at the end really isn't that much of a deal.

[miamialley]

They could make some funny, clever ads with Seinfeld. This was not an example of those attributes, however. This gets an F in my book.

[Joe The Dragon]

They should do a soup nazi ad makeing fun of the lack of choice on mac hardware.

Can I get get a headless mac tower

MAC TOWER $2300!

Can I get a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB EXTRA $150.00

Can I get get a 15" laptop

15" LAPTOP $2000

Can I run mac osx on my custom build tower

NO MAC OS X FOR YOU NEXT!

Can I run mac osx on my dell

NO MAC OS X FOR YOU NEXT!

and so on.

[DMann]

I don't get it.

I know what it's supposed to advertise, but what does it really?

It has horrid.

It was quite clear, after several viewings, that they were advertising for the new Conquistador Zune shoe-phone. I can understand, however, how this flew over our heads at first. Man, gotta give 'em credit for that.

[APPLENEWBIE]

this reminds me of the play WAiting for godot, in which nothing happens, twice!

[msheldrick]

Developer-Cake, Developer-Cake, Developer-Cake, Developer-Cake, Developer-Ca--, Develop-------, Deve----------,

[rwhite1917]

Does no one else understand this ad? You are all blind, they are making fun of Mac users at the end and how they hold on to steve jobs every word/motion/blink of the eye...

[amac4me]

What the heck was that? Horrible.

[Nieval]

Just to be clear, Apple wasn't the first company to flash their logo at the end of a commercial (think Nike, Mc Donalds, among many others).

[oftheheavens]

did i miss something or was that just really stupid? i dont get it at all. Well maybe they will just keep wasting money and then they will just go away for ever...

[sprice25]

lame. i don't see how this can revamp their image. did they have a positive image? doesn't work for me.

[katanna]

you get seinfeld to come do your spots and make you look cool instead of inept.

The problem is, this ad was NOT cool, it WAS inept.

Matthew

[ingenious]

I think the point of the commercial is to show Microsoft relaxed and jovial...

and to remind everyone that it's middle-aged by using aged sitcom comedians, and that people that stood in line for Windows 95 are 18 years older.

not quite eighteen... I'm eighteen, and Win95 came out when I was four or five...:D

[Master Atrus]

I'm sorry, I watched it wanting to like it, but it didn't make any sense. The only thought is like everyone else ... it is part of a larger series.

Right now otherwise ... it didn't help Microsoft at all in my opinion.

[AgingGeek]

Guys guys guys...

This is just typical Seinfeld! Instead of a "show about nothing", it's
and....AD....ABOUT.....NOTHING.

Unfortunately, that's not what MS needs!

[rstone3]

That really did not seem like a broadcast ad. It seemed more like a video shot quickly for a staff conf or dev meet. If it does air, I guess it is supposed to soften the MS image. The problem is it doesn't. It doesn't present another image. It doesn't present anything at all. It is really, a commercial about nothing with the star from a show about nothing, who happened to own Macs when doing the show. meh

Well stated.

[yojitani]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

Another WTF from Iowa here.

[deannnnn]

I did not understand a single second of that ad.

Why would I want my computer to be moist and chewy?
I prefer durable plastics & metals.

[rumrunner]

You heard it here first folks! Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld do commercial for Carnival Shoes! Seinfeld reportedly got $10 million to do the ad and Gates, philanthropist that he is, reportedly did it for a pair of pleather shoes!

In other news, Vista still sucks... :D

[joeshell383]

I don't get it. I just don't get it.

There's neither corporate branding nor product promotion, just an overpaid celebrity and a misled CEO.

I didn't see any CEOs in the ad.

[k'five]

Haha, cute ad.

Vista's a quivering mass of squalid crap balanced precariously over its users heads though.

Oh well. More cute ads Microsoft, that'll win em.




Apple shareholders should rejoice at every attempt to get people to migrate from XP to Vista. The more copies of vista they sell, the more Macs Apple sells three months later.

[Eidorian]

I found the commercial amusing and light hearted.

The only problem was that I have no idea what the commercial was for... :rolleyes:

[jackjason]

it's very good ad.

leather is very tight: leopard and tiger's leather..
windows have more room for more stuff..

windows pc are cheaper.like the shoes .."why pay more"

and some other good points..

[WillJS]

so unintuitive.

[jburgme]

I've seen that photo on his card before:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/gatesmug1.html

[deannnnn]

The Apple ad with Seinfeld is still one of my favorite commercials ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZuOtNwa-jk

[LagunaSol]

Maybe they hired the same folks that put on the republiscum convention. Great stuff...

Leave it to a liberal to turn a discussion about a Microsoft television commercial into a political rant.

FAIL.

[Yvan256]

I found the commercial amusing and light hearted.

The only problem was that I have no idea what the commercial was for... :rolleyes:

I thought it was pretty obvious. Microsoft is now selling discount shoes that you have to wear in the shower in order to break then so that you can eat a moist computer later. :confused:

[maclamb]

Originally Posted by fivepoint
Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"
Funny.. thats EXACTLY what I said

and me

My wife said "boy, they look really OLD"

[ijoyner]

It was a very effective ad – I'm going to buy shoes from Shoe Circus in the future! On second thoughts, if I might bump into Bill Gates there, maybe not.

[jackjason]

the whole thing is not about vista.
it's about the future..

[deannnnn]

it's very good ad.

leather is very tight: leopard and tiger's leather..
windows have more room for more stuff..

windows pc are cheaper.like the shoes .."why pay more"

and some other good points..

See now I didn't get those things at all.
I do like it a little better now that you've pointed out those things,
but I really don't think it'd obvious enough to the average user.
I mean, I consider myself to be well educated and I didn't get it.

[LanPhantom]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

EXACTLY!!

I just saw the video on TV and it sucked as back as it did on YouTube. I can't believe M$ spent that kind of money and that is all they could come up with, well, it just goes along with the OS's the produce.

I have to admin, my iPhone crashed twice while trying to respond to this post so I had to move over to my MBP and do it. Oh well, the competition continues!

LanPhantom

[DMann]

it's very good ad.

leather is very tight: leopard and tiger's leather..
windows have more room for more stuff..

windows pc are cheaper.like the shoes .."why pay more"

and some other good points..

Not to mention, Big Top Points (Microsoft Points for the Zune)

[elgruga]

I thought this was an ad for Bill Gates. He seems almost human.
.
.

Almost.

[maclamb]

actually I think it captures the spirit of MS well
not funny
not clever
not creative
annoying
and you wonder what the point is.

Now, the fact Seinfeld had a mac in his house all those years just adds to it.

[ayeying]

that wasnt even funny.. im sorry.

[NotFound]

What the hell is the point to this ad??

It beats around the bush so much that someone without a solid interest in computers isn't going to get it.

To be honest, I don't think I'm quite sure what the ad is about besides Windows...or shoes...

[DMann]

so unintuitive.

Yet, not at all surprising, coming from MS.

[angelneo]

Actually, as someone posted earlier, an ad about how Seinfeld convinces Bill Gates to do an ad about nothing is going to be much more interesting that this...

[WindowsGuy]

I thought it was decent, but it doesn't say anything about Vista. If I just randomly saw that on TV, I think that I would be confused by it.

You say this as opposed to in iPod or iPhone commercial that tells you nothing at all other than a digital guy or girl dancing with white (crappy) ear phones that have shipped since the 1st Gen iPod and a 2nd Gen iPhone that ads nothing but 3G (useless in the US) and GPS (Useless without turn by turn directions). I can see a blue dot of myself on my phone. I must be cool.

I can see why you'd be confused. Neither commercials say anything but hype and try and get the target Market.

[MrCrowbar]

So... If I'm a fan of he 1990s I should go Microsoft? That would work for some companies, but not for the technology division.

...

Let me illustrate my reaction:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_0NMEQfi2OW4/SAlZQepkV8I/AAAAAAAAAvg/cvOJF0ONH2g/s400/FacePalm_picard.jpg

[LanPhantom]

it's very good ad.

leather is very tight: leopard and tiger's leather..
windows have more room for more stuff..

windows pc are cheaper.like the shoes .."why pay more"

and some other good points..

It's an OLD age argument that only holds water in the low budget and business worlds (and when I reference business, I'm talking about CTO that are only concerned about saving money and getting the least possible product to do the job).

You want quality (with lots of room to do fun stuff) you choose Apple, hands down.

LanPhantom

[TheBobcat]

You say this as opposed to in iPod or iPhone commercial that tells you nothing at all other than a digital guy or girl dancing with white (crappy) ear phones that have shipped since the 1st Gen iPod.

I can see why you'd be confused. Neither commercials say anything but hype and try and get the target Market.

But only one shows a product and a use for said product.

[amac4me]

Bill Gates seems best suited in this ad ... as Kermit the Frog praising the Macintosh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhSbb0EWxWI

[jicon]

Gotta be the first a series of many commercials. Bill Gates comes off looking rather frugal, buying shoes at a discount shoe store, and in that sense, a little more human and relatable.

I expect future commercials to start focusing on what Microsoft would like to achieve in an ideal MS world one day.

[acvball92]

i want a churro now...:D

[Geek 2.0]

See, when I was watching it, I almost started thinking it was a series of ads just playing pieces of it b/c it didn't make any sense! I mean, it was totally random (edible computers??? I know it's a joke, but for a 7 year old!) and, like the millions before me have stated, it doesn't say anything about the product it's advertising until the very end, and, well, I think they're just expecting Seinfeld to be enough to convince people to buy Microsoft products! Not a good ad at all... Although I am not a big fan of the Mac/PC ads anymore (I think they've gotten a little too "Bash Vista because we can" compared to it's old "Hey, people watching TV, Macs can do what PC's can and more!") this ad makes the Mac/PC ads look amazing. Microsoft made a 1 minute and 30 second mistake.

[QCassidy352]

What on earth did I just watch? :confused:

[DMann]

You say this as opposed to in iPod or iPhone commercial that tells you nothing at all other than a digital guy or girl dancing with white (crappy) ear phones that have shipped since the 1st Gen iPod.

I can see why you'd be confused. Neither commercials say anything but hype and try and get the target Market.

Actually, the earbuds have been updated since the 1st generation iPods. If ONLY this commercial HAD any hype to speak of...........

[bboucher790]

The only thing that resembled a computer during the entire ad was @ 1:15 when the guy walking in the background looked like he was holding an iMac. Subliminal message to buy a Mac? Hehe.

Not funny, not smart, stupid and confusing. Unless this was the "non-edited" version, that was one of the worst commercials I've ever seen.

[jswright2005]

That was honestly one of the worst commercials I've ever seen. It's REALLY long, too and I can't really see what benefit they'll get out of airing clips of that. They threw in the only relevant dialogue in the last 10 seconds as if it were an afterthought. I work on PCs every single day, love them for the most part, love macs, too, and I'm trying to look at this with an unbiased eye...but wow - big miss.

[ventro]

It's funny but it doesn't really address the Mac vs PC ads. If this is first in a series of ads featuring Bill and Jerry, then I can see the potential.

[Pikemann Urge]

I like that ad a lot. As a short film. So whoever made it, well done. More please.

But as for its effectiveness as an advertisement... who cares what it's advertising?!

[RoDe]

I don't get it, just like I don't get Windows.

[dangleheart]

My first reaction was WTF? Watching it a second time, I got a bit curious about the direction this will take. It is such an odd ball and weird add that it will attract people's attention and wonder about what this is about even if the reaction is WTF.

I think it is a series of ads to paint microsoft as company with a lot of upcoming great products and innovations. I think the goal is about softening the image a bit and put in some respect back as a high tech company.

Seinfeld humor is always about absurd exaggerations and silliness. That is what this commercial is about, especially the eatable delicious computers part:)

[esaleris]

An EPIC FAIL to Crispin Porter & Bogusky for letting that one slip through.
Sure, but some Creative exec at Microsoft approved it. Shame...

[macjiro]

So, Seinfeld received 10mil for the commercials for MS.
I was just thinking out there...., when you get alot of money like that, what bank or place do you deposit such a large amount? BoA/Wells Fargo, etc only insure 100K.

[JackAxe]

Was this add trying to get me to upgrade from XP to vista or something? :confused:

<]=)

[TESEV]

Let me be the first to say it.

"WTF?"

What he said.

...

And I'd like to provide a possible answer. Episodic commercials.
Yea I made that up but unless M$ really does have it's foot in it's mouth they will make a sort of a sequel.
I guess like The Zany Adventures of Bill and Seinfeld or something corny like that.

So stay tuned for the next episode!! and for their sake i hope the next one has a little more meat and a little less corny

[branjosef]

I didn't get it all. I thought it would be funny but instead I thought I was watching some new reality tv show. I kept waiting for gary coleman or bobby brown to appear. I just don't get it. No talk of potential upcoming windows features like the vagina port or pre-bundled prostate examination software optimized for use with core duo technology. It just made we want to go to the shoe circus and buy some shoes- maybe get a big mac and stop by walmart to look at underwear. :rolleyes:

[Nodnarb]

Some of my realizations after watching this thing:

1. - Bill should have taken a bite of Jerry's churro
2. - I wouldn't shop at Shoe Circus
3. - WTF was the point of Hispanics at the window staring inside
4. - Don't shower with your clothes on
5. - "Is that your toe?"..."no it's leather"....wtf?
6. - Computers = cake.... no.... Mac = piece-of-cake
7. - Bill's defiant, shakes his rump instead of his shoulders

Could MS beat around the bush any more than this?!?! Too many subtleties and metaphors, the average consumer would not get it at all.

[redking31591]

The funniest thing about this commercial was remembering that on the show didn't Seinfeld have a 20th aniversary Mac?

[Silentwave]

Is the idea that he walks in "everyman's" shoes supposed to tell us that what-ever-the-hell it is they are selling is for the masses? Man, I just don't get this at all.

Neither do I. SJ runs around in off the shelf New Balances. If those aren't everyman's shoes, then I am not an everyman.

[DMann]

The only thing that resembled a computer during the entire ad was @ 1:15 when the guy walking in the background looked like he was holding an iMac. Subliminal message to buy a Mac? Hehe.

Not funny, not smart, stupid and confusing. Unless this was the "non-edited" version, that was one of the worst commercials I've ever seen.

Pretty amazing, spotting that. Having a bona fide Mac user convincing BG to wear a tighter shoe, while having a boxed iMac flashed across the screen certainly transcends subliminal.

[k2k koos]

but am I missing something, aren't they supposed to plug microsoft stuff, or are they trying to say that microsoft (in the persona of Bill G) isn't the big bad company we think they are..... :apple:

[branjosef]

So, Seinfeld received 10mil for the commercials for MS.
I was just thinking out there...., when you get alot of money like that, what bank or place do you deposit such a large amount? BoA/Wells Fargo, etc only insure 100K.

After reading the script, he probably invested it all in apple stock. :eek:

[ant-macyourself]

I love Seinfeld and think he's a genius, but I just didn't get it. I knew what it was supposed to be about and I was still confused what they were trying to get at. I can only imagine what the average viewer on TV is going to think.

If this is what Microsoft thinks is going to take down the Get A Mac ads, they're even more out of touch than any of us thought.