Microsoft's First Seinfeld Ad Airs: Shoe Circus

[charlituna]

When I first saw the commercial, I thought, wow...that was pointless. Then I came here and it all clicked...the ad is a success. Over 300 posts...they definitely got people to talk about microsoft, myself included. Dammit!

but it's the wrong people. folks here are more likely to buy a Mac. or at the least buy a computer based on something other than a commercial.

it's the masses they need to reach and most of them are going to blink and forget about it. they aren't going to be thinking "I need to run out and get Windows for my computer" or "I was wrong, I should give Windows a second chance and go return this Mac I just bought"

 

[netdog]

Sorry guys, but a lot of the detractors here seemed to have missed the point.

It's a brand spot and it succeeds in a number of ways.

The spot presents Microsoft as a company that is bringing forth a somewhat magical future.

This is exactly what Microsoft needed, and I expect that their P/E ratio will go up significantly as a result of this campaign as it plays out.

While I respect anyone's right to disagree, I was on the IBM Brand team at Ogilvy when we first signed up all of IBM's global business and produced the Solutions for A Small Planet brand message across TV (the subtitles campaign), print, billboards, and Internet.

These spots are good. They are going to up Microsoft's brand (and market cap) enormously if the ensuing ads are as good as this one.

 

[charlituna]

These guys. They came up with the ad.

i can't believe that Microsoft went with them. their work is so hit and miss.

then again, this ad is not unlike their PSAs on second hand smoke. they tried to be cute and funny this those and missed on several. especially the one with the baby and the whole 'don't pass gas' line. it isn't until the end that you figure out that they were really talking about smoking.

the funniest part is to read the comments they make about themselves and their great ideas. the only thing that they did get right is that Diet Coke typically is marketed towards women so when pitching "coke zero' they tried to make a diet soda more manly. it's one of the few hits they have had

 

[charlituna]

From a Reuters news story.

that story should read more like "trying to copy Apple Retail by setting up corners in big box stores staffed with so called "windows geniuses" that they are calling gurus to avoid a lawsuit from apple. however unlike their folks they are copying, these so called experts are really just detailed sales people who will offer no tech support etc.

 

[charlituna]

do you see steve on get a mac commercials, i think not.

apple isn't selling Steve Jobs, they are selling macintosh computers, ipods etc.

so actually they are right on to have the product speak for itself and not rely on folks liking the face of the corporate office to sell things.

 

[AlexisV]

Sorry guys, but a lot of the detractors here seemed to have missed the point.

It's a brand spot and it succeeds in a number of ways.

The spot presents Microsoft as a company that is bringing forth a somewhat magical future.

This is exactly what Microsoft needed, and I expect that their P/E ratio will go up significantly as a result of this campaign as it plays out.

While I respect anyone's right to disagree, I was on the IBM Brand team at Ogilvy when we first signed up all of IBM's global business and produced the Solutions for A Small Planet brand message across TV (the subtitles campaign), print, billboards, and Internet.

That's assuming you think the world's head nerdlinger is somehow conjusive to building the brand.

Bill Gates shouldn't have been let anywhere near that advert - he's a relic who represents everything that is wrong with Windows.

However it is designed to build the brand, it doesn't change the fact that the ad is absurdly nonsensical.

This is just a convoluted sketch that doesn't work.

It's just a baffling piece of overly long footage.

 

[JW8725]

Bill Gates is great. Actually I liked that advert. Can't wait to see more. Its good that Microsoft have started to finally ease up on the seriousness and add some humour.

 

[koa]

I'm didn't read all 1077 comments so this might have been mentioned already. The fact that there's already 1077 comments might indicate it's going to be sucessful.

 

[AlexisV]

It's a myth that just because people talk about an ad, it's a success.

Sometimes the world saying something is crap really does mean it is a pile of crap.

 

[carloslegarda]

So Microsoft's next OS will be EDIBLE?

Yes, EDIBLE like Bill Gate's shorts.

 

[lfhdez]

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

I think that applies here!

Let me save you the trouble....


PS: I want my MINUTE AND A HALF BACK!

 

[seashellz]

$999,999.90 down the drain-the dime goes to Art Vandalay

 

[kolax]

Haha. I finally watched it, what a daft advert.

I couldn't even tell it was advertising anything - seemed like a sketch show to me, rather than an advert. There was no focus point on what they were trying to get across either.

And then they ring it out at the end that this is a Windows advert, and that the future of Windows is delicious?

Did they have some sort of competition at a primary school to see what kid could come up with the best Microsoft slogan? It must have been right before lunch break anyway when they asked the kids to come up with their ideas.

 

[fiftydollarshoe]

apple isn't selling Steve Jobs, they are selling macintosh computers, ipods etc.

so actually they are right on to have the product speak for itself and not rely on folks liking the face of the corporate office to sell things.

In saying that Bill is no longer at Microsoft.... that I don't understand.

 

[mac-man 2008]

wow...worst ad ever

 

[BongoBanger]

It's a myth that just because people talk about an ad, it's a success.

Actually it's not. If you talk about an ad that is about increasing awareness then it's succeeded. It's a fairly simple concept.

Over 1,000 posts already? Oh my!

 

[jghiesc]

Jerry is a flip-flopper

During the entire life of Seinfeld show, Macs were prominently featured on Jerry's desk. But, maybe Steve didn't offer him enough. This ad tries so hard to be as with it as "I'm a Mac..." but doesn't come close. NOT

 

[czachorski]

Actually it's not. If you talk about an ad that is about increasing awareness then it's succeeded. It's a fairly simple concept.

Over 1,000 posts already? Oh my!

You're assuming that "awareness" means more sales. Why is it appropriate to make that assumption? What if more people are "aware" of problems with Windows? I don't see why awareness = success. It seems to me, more sales = success. It's a fairly simple concept.

 

[MacOldTimer!]

Loved the commercial. Not sure if it is on Target for the younger generation.

I've been a Seinfeld fan for years and you'd have to understand that the show was about nothing. Random acts of plots and characters that had a very large fan base.

As the follow up articles have said this is the first in a series of commercials so they're just following the Seinfeld theme and giving you bits at at a time.

Loved the part with BG showing his rewards card. Not a Microsoft fan but I have nothing but respect for Bill Gates. He along with many others have changed the world and made this site possible.

 

[MacNoobie]

I think that Bill Gates shopping at shoe circus was a metaphor for he may be Bill Gates a billionaire but he's kinda this down to earth kinda guy.

Honestly the whole ad was a flop for me.. I mean if these are designed to improve Microsoft's image then WTF?!?!?! The only thing I liked was when Seinfeld wore in the size 10 shoe and mentioned that Bill "was a 10" that part I got but then all of a sudden it moves into conversations of our computers becoming moist and chewy like cake.. ... wtf.. seriously

I think Microsoft needs the apple writers for their ad's aka Microsoft NEED's Apple as much as Apple NEED's Microsoft (remember Windows is the reason why a lot of people switch to Mac)

 

[Trajectory]

The ad needs more cowbell.

 

[seashellz]

RUN! HIDE!! THEYRE COMING TO GET YOU, BAHBARAH!! THEYRE HERE!!
THERES ONE OF THEM NOW!
MS VISTA ARM TWISTER SQUADS SOON AT A STORE NEAR YOU

In case you missed the completely baffling Gates / Seinfeld ad, here's the skinny: Microsoft is getting serious about polishing the tarnished Vista brand (it's his words, not ours). According to new reports, that aforementioned spot is just the beginning of Redmond's costly push to "change consumers' perception of Windows," and soon you'll be seeing Microsoft Gurus in your favorite B&M locations. These so-called experts will be there to "explain the benefits of Windows," but we're not sure if they'll only be around to answer inquiries or if they'll be actively approaching you in an uncomfortable attempt to talk about Aero and ReadyBoost. We're hearing that some 155 representatives will be deployed before the year's end at stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, so at least you now know where not to shop if you're terrified of confrontation.


Engadget

 

[MacOldTimer!]

RUN! HIDE!! THEYRE COMING TO GET YOU, BAHBARAH!! THEYRE HERE!!
THERES ONE OF THEM NOW!
MS VISTA ARM TWISTER SQUADS SOON AT A STORE NEAR YOU

In case you missed the completely baffling Gates / Seinfeld ad, here's the skinny: Microsoft is getting serious about polishing the tarnished Vista brand (it's his words, not ours). According to new reports, that aforementioned spot is just the beginning of Redmond's costly push to "change consumers' perception of Windows," and soon you'll be seeing Microsoft Gurus in your favorite B&M locations. These so-called experts will be there to "explain the benefits of Windows," but we're not sure if they'll only be around to answer inquiries or if they'll be actively approaching you in an uncomfortable attempt to talk about Aero and ReadyBoost. We're hearing that some 155 representatives will be deployed before the year's end at stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, so at least you now know where not to shop if you're terrified of confrontation.


Engadget

Microsoft nor Apple is going to determine where or what I shop for because of staff of MS is going to be in the store.

Are you seriously telling people not to Shop at two of the most popular electronics stores in the US because of fear of confrontation?

If you are a Mac user your are VERY unlikely to switch platforms because of MS staff on site. If you are a windows user the help will probably be greatly appreciated. Most Windows users know little more than if you turn on your computer you can work or surf.

Apple users tend to be more technically savvy where as PC users depend more on the help desk at work.

I see it everyday I go to work.

 

[DMann]

so bill gates adjusts his jocks and shakes his arse and the next thing the voice over says 'delicious'? WRONGO!! Yuk! Puke! an almost 60 year old greiatric's arse is covered with an adult nappie. what were they thinking? Maybe they haired Jerry to write this and Jerry's secretly sabotaging the whole thing!

Not too far from the truth........

 

[flottenheimer]

If in fact you are an "INdustry Professional" you understand the importance of listening to the people you are trying to impress with your ad campaign, and if nobody "gets" your message" then it doesn't work no matter what is loaded down the pipe.
Also one thing I would like to point out is the ad was designed for "Mac" users, and it just doesnt work. Its lame and its desperate, not too far off from what MS has always done.

I belive it is a far superior tactic to do what you believe in than it is to try and guess what the public wants.

“If I had asked my customers what they wanted,” Ford said, “they would have said a faster horse”.
Henry Ford on the danger of listening too closely to customers.

It's far too early to tell if people "gets the message" or if this campaign will change their oppinion towards Microsoft. This new movie only represents the first glimpse of a huge campaign. If you had shut off your TV after having watched the first 3 minutes of, say, The Godfather, would you have "gotten the message"? Like I said, have patience. We don't know what we are judging yet.

From where have you learned that this campaign was "designed for Mac users"?