Oh, so you didn't try to diagnose anything. Do you also do that when something is wrong with your Mac: Go blame steve jobs for being a greedy bastar who doesn't care about the quality of his products, only that he makes a stupidly high amount of profit? Wait, that might actually have some merit when it comes to Apple.
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Microsoft's "I'm a PC" Ad Airs
- Thread starter davepelz
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Oh, so you didn't try to diagnose anything. Do you also do that when something is wrong with your Mac: Go blame steve jobs for being a greedy bastar who doesn't care about the quality of his products, only that he makes a stupidly high amount of profit? Wait, that might actually have some merit when it comes to Apple.
PowerFullMac
macrumors 601
Yeah, one store stopped selling em', anyway, cant remember which one as I dont know much about US retailers except that Wal-Mart is evil.
Well, as he made the software, along with Ballmer who I also blamed, it is their fault.
I dont need to worry about that as my Mac dosent constantly have problems, its only vary rarely something happens, and most of that is me tampering with things.
Eidorian
macrumors Penryn
I'm sure there are plenty of forum users here who have had constant problems with their Macs.
When was the last time Bill Gates even touched Windows code?
PowerFullMac
macrumors 601
Yes, I do, I get Vista, in my own personal experience, goes wrong a lot, whereas my Mac has very few problems and is very reliable.
Its like comparing a Honda to a TVR... Yeah, the TVR (Vista) is expensive and flashy, but it will break down everyday.
They may have lemons, bad luck, or dodgy software installed that may be buggy... Or perhaps they are running Parallels? 🙄
Which is why I mentioned Ballmer, he still works with M$, and have you seen the guy?
Also, its Gates with all the ca$h and he dosent even have to touch the code of his own ****ing OS! WTF?
Eidorian
macrumors Penryn
Apple can't be held responsible for the hardware and software they sell then?
I'm sure Steve Jobs is a code monkey like the corporate officers/management of Microsoft.
Topher15
macrumors 6502a
I don't see how anyone can conclude that Microsoft want their customers to should the blame. Maybe you can elaborate how to arrived at that view?
The reference to the Mac ads was merely to introduce/remind the viewers of the Apple created stereotype, and then they refuted that stereotype by showing how diverse the PC/Windows user base actually is.
In Apple's ads Hodgeman represented a PC. In Microsoft's ads PC was represented by a diverse group of people, which is far more accurate depiction of the PC user base. Where Apple's ads were accurate was in showing the downfalls of Windows (the problems, viruses and other difficulties a Windows user faces.) But the image of PC they presented was not as accurate. Anyone can take the best of their own product and the worst of their competitors, but it isn't entirely accurate. Just as it wouldn't be accurate to use the Apple dicks who can't see past their own nose as a representation of Macs.
PowerFullMac
macrumors 601
Sure they can, but they cant be held responsible for buggy 3rd party apps.
The CEO of Microsoft is this guy. 'Nuff said.
Eidorian
macrumors Penryn
Keep in mind that I did say Apple for what they produce and sell.
I fail to see how his antics are in correlation with the quality of software from Microsoft and its programmers.
Topher15
macrumors 6502a
PowerFullMac
So you're saying the problems with your PC are Microsoft's fault? And Apple isn't at fault because you've not had a problem of your Mac.
Do you realise just how short sighted that is?!
What about the PC users who never really have problems? And what about the Mac users who DO have problems.
I'm guessing your argument will be that Mac problems are user created whereas Windows problems are Microsoft created. 🙄
How about the more likely fact that this is technology, so sometimes it works, and sometimes it has problems. The problems some people have with Windows are not always down to Microsoft's mistakes, although sometimes they are. Likewise, the problems some people have with Mac's are not always down to Apple's mistakes, although sometimes they are.
So you're saying the problems with your PC are Microsoft's fault? And Apple isn't at fault because you've not had a problem of your Mac.
Do you realise just how short sighted that is?!
What about the PC users who never really have problems? And what about the Mac users who DO have problems.
I'm guessing your argument will be that Mac problems are user created whereas Windows problems are Microsoft created. 🙄
How about the more likely fact that this is technology, so sometimes it works, and sometimes it has problems. The problems some people have with Windows are not always down to Microsoft's mistakes, although sometimes they are. Likewise, the problems some people have with Mac's are not always down to Apple's mistakes, although sometimes they are.
PowerFullMac
macrumors 601
Ya know what, I'll agree there.
I still think Macs are better than PCs, but I s'pose ya cant always expect technology to work flawlessly all the time.
I do think M$ dropped the ball with Vista, but in the same way Apple did with Leopard.
Simple,MS,whilst under a serious and prolonged attack by the Apple ads, drags it's users out in front of the cameras and says look at them,there healthy and strong people with no problems at all.MS can deflect blame,through it's users but it can't deflect criticism of it's users experiences.
Topher15
macrumors 6502a
What are you talking about?!!
Microsoft are not putting blame on their users. (What blame needs deflecting anyway?) They are using their users to demonstrates that the stereotype is not true.
Windows is largely irrelevant to this campaign. The campaign is about improving the image of Microsoft that was tarnished by the Apple created stereotype. I agree that it comes to Windows and particularly Vista Microsoft are not going to fair well. But this has little to do with this new campaign.
The blame that Apple threw at them which is the lack lustre,convaluted,error and virus riddled user experience.You can challenge a stereotype but that stereotype is MS.MS has used it's users to counter attack Apple which is not who Apple was ever attacking.It's that simple.Those who argue that the glasses wearing and overweight character represents anything other than the user experience MS customers receive do their cause harm by missing the concerns of actual MS users by an irrelevant white washing campaign.
Topher15
macrumors 6502a
So you think that a Microsoft ad featuring PC users saying "I'm a PC" and/or stating their profession shows that Microsoft is blaming their users for issues with Windows? 🙄Hands Sandon said:
So, according to you, Microsoft is using their users to attack Apple. How on earth are the people featured in the ad "attacking Apple"?Hands Sandon said:
Microsoft are using their users to show how Apple's stereotype of Microsoft's image is false. The fact Apple never attacked Microsoft users does not mean Microsoft cannot use them in their ad campaigns.
No one is denying that the Apple ads accurately represent the experiences of Windows users. The matter before you however is not the experiences of Windows users. It is, as I stated in a previous post, that Apple were associating Mac's with music, video, photos and are therefore cool, whereas PC's were associated with spreadsheets and word processing and are therefore uncool, and by an implied association, those who use Mac are clearly cool. The presentation of the actors was in no way a coincidence. These actors were design specifically to be visual representations of how Apple see each platform.Hands Sandon said:
Btw, I actually like Apple's ads. I don't have a problem with them. I just think Microsoft did a good rebuttal.
I should have read and then corrected my post,instead I posted realized my mistake and before correcting it you had already responded to my unintelligible post.So sorry about that.
The only response I have to your replies is what I have just posted.
I completely agree with you on your last point that Apple portrays itself as cool and MS as dull etc and these new MS ads confirm more positive attributes to MS users.On that we can agree.
Hopefully Microsoft will actually advertise one of their products next time in their commercials. That would give us the chance of actually doing a fair comparison.
Topher15
macrumors 6502a
I think they will get to that in what they'll probably call "Phase 3." In my view I think they should just let Vista die and start Phase 3 with Windows 7. If these new ads succeed in improving the image of Microsoft (and I think they have/will) then focusing on Vista will just remind everyone why they dislike Microsoft.
A comparison can easily be made by using each OS. Or do you mean a comparison in how they advertise their products.
This whole ad campaign is not, repeat not about product. What MS is trying to do is regain the image they had in the early/mid 90's of the company on the cutting edge of mainstream technology, the view that much of the public now has of Apple. To do this, you don't advertise product (especially as Microsoft has little product to sell). You advertise image. You make Microsoft seem very modern, yet still accessible. In short, you do what Apple's done for the last several years.
Now, how is this done in the real world? First, you get people talking. The first ads. The butt shake. Or in Apple terms, the original 1984 ad. This does nothing more than soften up the audience for the next steps, but it's arguably the most important part, as without interest the whole campaign is due for failure.
Second, make people empathize with the product. It's something that they can use, does things that help them. This is the "I'm a PC" ads. This starts to get people emotionaly invested, makes them feel as though they care about the MS's products.
Third, show how MS helps you. The last stage in the process, this is the closest they will come to an actual product ad. Here, they will show how MS products make your life easier. The equivalent of Apple's no virus claims. It's easier & more productive to use a Windows PC. It's not necessary to advertise product specifically here, as you can advertise inherent features of the platform (compatibility, for example), but this is the place where you will see more product than anything else.
The key thing here is that what MS will be advertising is not, not, not product. It's image. It's pop culture. In short, it's everything that's at the heart of Apple's recent success.
And if you disagree, ask an advertising professional. Read the marketing blogs. Talk to anyone who actually sells high profile products. Right now, you'll here nothing but praise for a company called Crispin, Porter, and Bogusky - the company that is in charge of MS's ad campaign. Will that change? Quite probably - no one is successful forever. But thus far, they've hit all the right buttons.
Listen, if you won't acknowledge the very basic fact that Apple's ads are not so much about the Mac as a product, but about how cool you are if you use a Mac, then there's no point arguing with you. It's like an ad with a supermodel holding a Pepsi and talking about how good it looks while an old fart holds a Coke. You would probably say "but the ad is exclusively about how good Pepsi tastes!" What a blind schmuck, plain and simple. You obviously have no idea about how marketing works and are again, blinded by your zealotry. Microsoft's comeback is pure marketing genius, and a visit to any marketing blog or forum is all it takes to realize it. Yet all you can come back with is "but Macs are PCs too! They run Windows!" Umm... anybody there? THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT. DIVERSITY of PCs and PC users, INCLUDING those that are or use Macs! You're just acknowledging and amplifying Microsoft's message, it's hilarious really.
Just one example of many:
Defining Mr Microsoft-(think Ballmer)
The UK PC character isn't over weight and he doesn't wear glasses.
Most Americans are over weight.Apple is setting a good example for everyone to loose a few of those pounds or more.It's a fact that obesity causes retina issues and therefore Apple adjusted the character accordingly.
The UK PC character isn't over weight and he doesn't wear glasses.
Most Americans are over weight.Apple is setting a good example for everyone to loose a few of those pounds or more.It's a fact that obesity causes retina issues and therefore Apple adjusted the character accordingly.
sra. Aguirre
macrumors regular
I think your analysis of their marketing strategy is very to the point. However, I must disagree with you on the success of this strategy. I feel they have stuck to the textbook lists of how to come up with a successful marketing plan without actually taking a look at the market (and competitors) It is, to say the least, VERY weak to come up with ads that reflect so poorly what you're competition is doing. In this case Apple. They did so by attacking the fact that Apple stereotypes "PC"'s as boring, nerds and colorless...by pinpointing that in fact Apple is putting this label on so many diverse people...NEVER ever should a huge company like Microsoft actually react on what competition is doing marketing wise. They should just shrug, laugh and come up with something completely different...Reacting at it, is like admitting those ads hurt.
If they really wanted buzz, have people talking and talking about their ads it would've been best to take a completely different approach, something out of the ballpark (and sorry if I don't come up with an instant example..and if I would I'd go running to Crispin, Porter and Bogusky to sell it) that would establish them as the new and improved "thing to have". That would take the wind out of Apple's sails. This is not about creating NO image and CERTAINLY IS NOT pop culture..please the mere suggestion of that makes me frown.....this is just the simplest and most uncreative approach they could've chosen to try and reach that. I am amazed you hint that this is pop culture. It surely is not! Nike with the swoosh and Just Do It, that's pop culture, The Marlboro man ads, Absolut Vodka ads THAT's pop culture...sorry this does not even reach in the realm of that
What are we doing now? Yeah we're talking about the ad. About if we like it or not, if they improve by phase or not, that Seinfeld is funny and so on. Are they woo-ing us?No. Do they make us crave for more? No. They simply tell me what I already know. A LOT of people use and have a PC. yawn. How will that seduce me to go and try Windows 7 out? Not really.
Improvement is not what you should strive for when starting a $300 million campaign.....you want to knock people out of their socks...(think Carl jr.'s ads with Paris Hilton. Was it relevant? NO. Did it make sense? NO. Did it have people's attention? YEAH. Was it innovative..hell yeah. Bet ya that even people in China who don't have a clue what Carl jr. burgers were, will now know for sure)
I am not talking about the quality of their products now, that's not the aim in their ad strategy, but with all the negative reactions to Vista it would have been wise if their ad campaigns where so mind blowing, innovative, persuasive and creative that people would buy whatever they brought next to the market, even if it was ten times worse than Vista. Cause that's the whole purpose of marketing your product, having people buy it, if it's crap or not.
And yeah, probably 80% of computer users will HAVE to buy it anyway cause more people use PC's....sad to say.
My point is, the ads are not bad, they are just plain boring....sorry to say even the Seinfeld one's. I have seen him in much funnier ways.
Uhhh...
I rest my case.
You should watch the UK's version of these ads.There nicely done with a comical Brit wit approach that capture the essence of windows with gut wrenching laughter and simplicity.
He's hardly overweight,haven't you watched the ads?!?
I should also ad that this photo clearly shows that he's not wearing any glasses,what so ever!