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Despite the author's claims to the contrary he's clearly biased (at least towards Apple's brand). He basically says he thinks every Ad that Microsoft has done

by SamAtt 17y ago

Despite the author's claims to the contrary he's clearly biased (at least towards Apple's brand). He basically says he thinks every Ad that Microsoft has done sucks and every Ad that Apple has done is genius (which is a stretch on the most recent one). So is it a surprise he doesn't like this one? Microsoft's goal in this Ad is to open people's eyes to the positive buzz Windows 7 has gotten. So they grabbed a cute, recognizable kid and basically had her do the intro because adorable catches people's attention. On that level I think it's a rousing success.

unalone 17y ago
Apple's most recent ads are definitely pushing it, but they're working. They've taken every attack Microsoft has attempted and reversed it. They're starting to get really obnoxious, but that's because Microsoft got obnoxious first. Are you saying Microsoft's ads didn't suck? First Bill Gates talked to a washed-out comedian about buying shoes. Then Microsoft launched an ad directly combatting an ad run by a competitor that has 8% market share, and the ad ignored the point of the original ad anyway (namely, that Mac and PC represent computers rather than actual users, and that PC users aren't likable-but-incompetent, PCs themselves are). Then they ran an ad that took Apple's claims of being a better computer and implicitly acknowledged it by focusing on how cheap Microsoft was, which—oops—backfired because in a recession, though people want cheaper computers they're more likely to make fewer quality purchases than many cheap ones. This new ad wasn't nearly as bad, but what it is is generic. I don't watch that and get any feeling that Windows 7 is better than a Mac. In fact, as the author says, the stuff the kid's doing seems low-quality and bad. The kid could make better clipart on a Mac with stuff like instant alpha, an awesome feature that Apple doesn't use in ads because unlike its competitor Apple has a hundred different features it could use for offense. So it's not as bad as the older ads, which were negatively impacting Microsoft's image. Now it's back to being neutral and bland. But that's not good. It's just neutral.
- thismat 17y ago
  I actually liked the ads with Seinfeld(who isn't really washed out if you consider his earning power), is that weird? You have to consider the image Microsoft has to repair here, at least they're moving in the right direction, and I'd rather them focus on their products and .NET framework than purely advertising first anyway. While the ads are not making me want to run out and buy Windows 7 right now, using the release build absolutely solidifies the fact that I will purchase a copy, it's really a pleasure to use, which says a lot about how far they've come since Vista/XP.
  - unalone 17y ago
    I'm excited about Windows 7. I just wish there were better ads. The Seinfeld ads weren't hideous, but I can't imagine Crispin thought it would give Microsoft a better name. And Seinfeld's washed out after Bee Movie. My ad prof suggested yesterday that the ads might have made more sense with a guy like Jon Stewart or Steven Colbert.
    - thismat 17y ago
      Jon Stewart definitely would have been a better choice, but the off-beat humor fit Seinfeld well I think. Washed up after Bee Movie? My kids loved it hah, but yes, I thought he was washed up as well, until I read he netted more total cash I think it was 2008-2009 than any other comedian.
      - unalone 17y ago
        I'd need to see that in writing. Bee Movie after something as monumental as the Seinfeld show? That's a wash-out. Reminds me of the scene in Extras where Ricky Gervais goes to work for Doctor Who.
        anigbrowl 17y ago
        Seinfeld is the 6th highest-earning celebrity in the over-50 set, earning $85 million last year. Like many other top earners, he doesn't just get paid, but was shrewd enough to retain rather than sell his financial interest in the properties he created, so he makes money as both a performer and a producer. http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/top-celebrities-50-business-entertainment-oprah_slide_7.html http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/top-celebrities-50-business... His overall net worth is well north of $200m, plus he's about to launch a new series.
        unalone 17y ago
        Oh, right, syndication profits. I thought he'd given up stand-up, though. I don't think that making money stops you from being washed-out, though. Look at Charlie Sheen and 2.5 Men. It's one of the most popular shows on television, but it's a washed-out show nonetheless, receives bucketloads of negative press, and Sheen is a loony B-list actor who pitches 9/11 conspiracy theories. I'm sure he makes more money than, say, Jason Bateman, but Bateman isn't washed-out whereas Sheen is. The attitude about Seinfeld is that he was great 20 years ago, sold out in the process of ending Seinfeld (some people are a little more generous than that), and hasn't done a damn thing since. Bee Movie generated waves of bad press, and that was supposed to be his comeback. The fact that I haven't heard of his doing a new series says something. If he was still trendy, I'd have known right away.
- josefresco 17y ago
  "Then they ran an ad that took Apple's claims of being a better computer and implicitly acknowledged it by focusing on how cheap Microsoft was, which—oops—backfired because in a recession, though people want cheaper computers they're more likely to make fewer quality purchases than many cheap ones." That's just plain wrong. I can't speak to the harm to MS from running the ads, but Apple LOST overall market share/sales this last quarter to other PC manufacturers because of the recession and people's love of cheap netbooks. ref: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/07/15/idc.prelim.q2.2009/ http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/07/15/idc.prelim.q2.... http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/04/15/idc.pc.share.q1.2009/ http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/04/15/idc.pc.share.q...

by SamAtt 17y ago

unalone 17y ago

Apple's most recent ads are definitely pushing it, but they're working. They've taken every attack Microsoft has attempted and reversed it. They're starting to get really obnoxious, but that's because Microsoft got obnoxious first. Are you saying Microsoft's ads didn't suck? First Bill Gates talked to a washed-out comedian about buying shoes. Then Microsoft launched an ad directly combatting an ad run by a competitor that has 8% market share, and the ad ignored the point of the original ad anyway (namely, that Mac and PC represent computers rather than actual users, and that PC users aren't likable-but-incompetent, PCs themselves are). Then they ran an ad that took Apple's claims of being a better computer and implicitly acknowledged it by focusing on how cheap Microsoft was, which—oops—backfired because in a recession, though people want cheaper computers they're more likely to make fewer quality purchases than many cheap ones. This new ad wasn't nearly as bad, but what it is is generic. I don't watch that and get any feeling that Windows 7 is better than a Mac. In fact, as the author says, the stuff the kid's doing seems low-quality and bad. The kid could make better clipart on a Mac with stuff like instant alpha, an awesome feature that Apple doesn't use in ads because unlike its competitor Apple has a hundred different features it could use for offense. So it's not as bad as the older ads, which were negatively impacting Microsoft's image. Now it's back to being neutral and bland. But that's not good. It's just neutral.

thismat 17y ago
I actually liked the ads with Seinfeld(who isn't really washed out if you consider his earning power), is that weird? You have to consider the image Microsoft has to repair here, at least they're moving in the right direction, and I'd rather them focus on their products and .NET framework than purely advertising first anyway. While the ads are not making me want to run out and buy Windows 7 right now, using the release build absolutely solidifies the fact that I will purchase a copy, it's really a pleasure to use, which says a lot about how far they've come since Vista/XP.
- unalone 17y ago
  I'm excited about Windows 7. I just wish there were better ads. The Seinfeld ads weren't hideous, but I can't imagine Crispin thought it would give Microsoft a better name. And Seinfeld's washed out after Bee Movie. My ad prof suggested yesterday that the ads might have made more sense with a guy like Jon Stewart or Steven Colbert.
  - thismat 17y ago
    Jon Stewart definitely would have been a better choice, but the off-beat humor fit Seinfeld well I think. Washed up after Bee Movie? My kids loved it hah, but yes, I thought he was washed up as well, until I read he netted more total cash I think it was 2008-2009 than any other comedian.
    - unalone 17y ago
      I'd need to see that in writing. Bee Movie after something as monumental as the Seinfeld show? That's a wash-out. Reminds me of the scene in Extras where Ricky Gervais goes to work for Doctor Who.
      - anigbrowl 17y ago
        Seinfeld is the 6th highest-earning celebrity in the over-50 set, earning $85 million last year. Like many other top earners, he doesn't just get paid, but was shrewd enough to retain rather than sell his financial interest in the properties he created, so he makes money as both a performer and a producer. http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/top-celebrities-50-business-entertainment-oprah_slide_7.html http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/top-celebrities-50-business... His overall net worth is well north of $200m, plus he's about to launch a new series.
        unalone 17y ago
        Oh, right, syndication profits. I thought he'd given up stand-up, though. I don't think that making money stops you from being washed-out, though. Look at Charlie Sheen and 2.5 Men. It's one of the most popular shows on television, but it's a washed-out show nonetheless, receives bucketloads of negative press, and Sheen is a loony B-list actor who pitches 9/11 conspiracy theories. I'm sure he makes more money than, say, Jason Bateman, but Bateman isn't washed-out whereas Sheen is. The attitude about Seinfeld is that he was great 20 years ago, sold out in the process of ending Seinfeld (some people are a little more generous than that), and hasn't done a damn thing since. Bee Movie generated waves of bad press, and that was supposed to be his comeback. The fact that I haven't heard of his doing a new series says something. If he was still trendy, I'd have known right away.
josefresco 17y ago
"Then they ran an ad that took Apple's claims of being a better computer and implicitly acknowledged it by focusing on how cheap Microsoft was, which—oops—backfired because in a recession, though people want cheaper computers they're more likely to make fewer quality purchases than many cheap ones." That's just plain wrong. I can't speak to the harm to MS from running the ads, but Apple LOST overall market share/sales this last quarter to other PC manufacturers because of the recession and people's love of cheap netbooks. ref: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/07/15/idc.prelim.q2.2009/ http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/07/15/idc.prelim.q2.... http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/04/15/idc.pc.share.q1.2009/ http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/04/15/idc.pc.share.q...