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Microsoft's First Seinfeld Ad Airs: Shoe Circus
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Didn't Britney Spears make the same vow? Hope the Jonas bros last longer than that.
I think this ad is chock full of metaphor that will only become apparent in hindsight after future ads are released. Anyone notice how many times "10" was mentioned?
Seinfeld: He's a 10.
Employee: 10
Seinfeld: That's a 10.
Seinfeld: Guess what Bill, you're a 10.
Hmm.
And what's with Gate's knowing look from :20 through :22 after:
Seinfeld: What is it?
Gates: Leather.
Leather...shuffle around a bit "The real" The real 10. The real X.
Just kidding. Truth be told, I think it was just another stupid commercial littering the wasteland that is American TV.
Seinfeld: He's a 10.
Employee: 10
Seinfeld: That's a 10.
Seinfeld: Guess what Bill, you're a 10.
Hmm.
And what's with Gate's knowing look from :20 through :22 after:
Seinfeld: What is it?
Gates: Leather.
Leather...shuffle around a bit "The real" The real 10. The real X.
Just kidding. Truth be told, I think it was just another stupid commercial littering the wasteland that is American TV.
Weak...Sad...Too bad...
Hackneyed attempt at a rebuke. I was hoping for more. The only real MS content was after they leave the mall (after 1 min. mark). They could have started the commercial around that point. Sorry, this was a time waster. Does anyone notice that there was a lot of background noise around the punchline? Certainly could have re-done that.
On another note, glad to see others focusing on the ad, and not flaming each other--why does that seem to happen eventually in forums?! Even if one is "rude" keep on message. By the way, just because we are talking about it doesn't make the commercial good content, just good fodder.
One last note, at least Steve Jobs doesn't feel the need to star in his ads. Both Seinfeld and Gates have awkward moments on camera, some dead air. I don't know who was worse. I like how Gates looks confused at Seinfeld's "shower+clothes" comment; an apt moment for the entire ad.
Hackneyed attempt at a rebuke. I was hoping for more. The only real MS content was after they leave the mall (after 1 min. mark). They could have started the commercial around that point. Sorry, this was a time waster. Does anyone notice that there was a lot of background noise around the punchline? Certainly could have re-done that.
On another note, glad to see others focusing on the ad, and not flaming each other--why does that seem to happen eventually in forums?! Even if one is "rude" keep on message. By the way, just because we are talking about it doesn't make the commercial good content, just good fodder.
One last note, at least Steve Jobs doesn't feel the need to star in his ads. Both Seinfeld and Gates have awkward moments on camera, some dead air. I don't know who was worse. I like how Gates looks confused at Seinfeld's "shower+clothes" comment; an apt moment for the entire ad.
Here's an extract from the MSNBC site:
What? Even a Microsoft copyrighted site is slamming Microsoft. Can things get any worse for them?
http://adblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/08/1362333.aspx
What? Even a Microsoft copyrighted site is slamming Microsoft. Can things get any worse for them?
http://adblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/08/1362333.aspx
Just enjoy the ad. I liked it. It's like having Seinfeld back on, even for only 90sec. Of course it won't likely have any effect as creative ads are not really the best way to sell a product... but that's not our problem! Just enjoy it. And if you don't... go watch something else.
Pep Rally
Wow, after suffering through that awful ad, and I had to balance things out. So I flipped over to the Apple ads and watched Pep Rally.
"PC's number 2, PC's number 2!"
Wow, after suffering through that awful ad, and I had to balance things out. So I flipped over to the Apple ads and watched Pep Rally.
"PC's number 2, PC's number 2!"
If you want a little more insight from a geekier stand point, check out TWIT 159 where Leo and the gang break down the symbolism of this commercial. I would have to say if they are wrong about their theory then I don't thing Microsoft will be able to explain it ever.
It launches a campaign - it wasn't meant to get into details yet.
Re blog quote: "The "I’m a Mac/I’m a PC" ads work because they are quick, funny and, most important, they entertain us while actually promoting the product in question."
The Apple ads are also taken in context of the entire campaign.
In isolation, some of them would be certain WTF moments - but they're not in isolation. Each one is a chapter in the dialogue between Mac and PC, each one has much implied by what you know about the characters.
Microsoft's campaign is just starting - and they're building the foundation for future ads.
weeeeird
Yeah, it's definetly like by the way the commerical is for this. I hate those commericals. Microsoft is just trying to make funny commercials like the mac. Sorry they can't, because we will always dominate, nothing on a pc is better than a mac.
Yeah, it's definetly like by the way the commerical is for this. I hate those commericals. Microsoft is just trying to make funny commercials like the mac. Sorry they can't, because we will always dominate, nothing on a pc is better than a mac.
...nothing on a pc is better than a mac.
What about Adobe CS4 -- 64-bit on Windows, still 32-bit on OSX...
I'd like to see a Mac/PC ad where PC is standing in front of a Brick Background with a drummer and a Microphone and he tells a bunch of non-sequiters while Mac attempts to talk about the new Macbook. It would be hilarious and would probably sink Microsoft's ad campaign.
Given the terrible reviews Microsoft will probably drop the ads completely,which would be sad,cos they sure are drumming up more interest in Apple.
*wiggles his butt*
Now in this new interface, is the butt wiggle CTRL+ALT+DEL or is it FORMAT STARTUP DISK?
Maybe. But I bet that most people "got it" the first time they saw the Apple ads, and it seems that most people don't after seeing the MS ad. If that is MS's strategy, they aren't doing a very good job with it. It's almost a microcosm of the whole Apple campaign: Macs are easy to "get it" right away, and Windows takes more time & energy - even right down to the ads. I agree with the MSNBC analysis that says these ads risk highlighting the very things that Apple is poking fun at them for.
Like these:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10034455-71.html?tag=rtcol;pop
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10033667-17.html?tag=mncol
I'm sure that CP+B were expecting a cool (but noisy) reception for the quirky starter ad.
I love your special photo you of Jerry Seinfeld,did anyone ever tell you his dresses a lot like Steve Jobs!!!!
MS is taking the right approach here. Clarity, coherence, functionality, and synchrony have never been attributes of their products or offerings. Many will likely be happily distracted by episodes such as these, in that they draw focus away from Windows, distracting viewers from one convoluted drama called Vista, into a parallel convoluted drama called 'Let's reinvent Seinfeld.' If distracting us from the shortfalls of Windows, and MS in general, in a complicated and redundant manner is the goal here, then this commercial ought to be deemed successful. This half-baked effort is certainly praise worthy, with consideration to it's sponsor.
Agreed. I think it actually makes Apple look bad. Whilst they've got an overly aggressive campaign Microsoft is being far more sedate. My hope is Apple moves onto a new campaign, Mac vs PC was entertaining for a while - the audacity was refreshing, but I think it's time to move on.
Why is it that the posters who try to defend this commercial as "Superb!" use the word "Rubbish!" all the time to describe the hugely successful Apple ads.Is it because they lack a broad vocabulary? Now Apple has planted it's teeth sharply into Microsoft with their advertising,much as you would like them to release,they wont,just wait for the next attacks-they'll be much more aggressive!Maybe by then Bill will be doing a lap dance!
What's not to get? In the future, you'll be able to eat computers like cake. Seems simple enough.
