The TV show Seinfeld was about nothing, and the ads Microsoft ran featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld seemed to follow the same theme.
Now, CrunchGear is reporting that Microsoft is ditching Seinfeld. Sorry folks, we won’t be seeing any additional commercials of Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. The problem is that the ads, for the most part, confused people, as Microsoft apparently forgot to clue people in on just what the commercials were about. I found the first commercial puzzling, as I was expecting it to focus on why users should purchase Windows Vista over Macs. Instead, the first commercial was set in a shoe store, and focused on shoes. Err…what? Vista wasn’t even mentioned. Was Microsoft’s point that even though we don’t always think about a good pair of shoes, they are essential and reliable, just like Microsoft?
I found it interesting that Seinfeld was even chosen for the ads. In his popular show of the same name, Seinfeld had a Mac displayed in his apartment. And, over the years, his Mac was upgraded. In fact, a 20th anniversary Mac made an appearance on the show. Seinfeld also appeared in Apple’s think different ad campaign. Obviously, Seinfeld was a switcher. Not that there is anything wrong with that…
Personally I was looking forward to seeing all the ads along with the two that aired. I was interested to see Microsoft’s comeback to the extremely popular Mac vs. PC commercials. So, what does Microsoft have in store for us now? The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft will feature a look alike John Hodgman, aka the PC guy from the Mac vs. PC commercials (Hodgman happens to be a Mac user in real life). Others making an appearance on the new commercials will be Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra, and Pharrell Williams. I’m looking forward to the new Microsoft commercials, and hopefully this time we’ll actually understand what they’re trying to say.
Via [CrunchGear]
Oh no. They are going to try to rebut Apple's ads with a fake Hodgman? That doesn't sound promising, although it is sorta poetic given the long history of MS lifting ideas from Apple.
Stucco,
.
Initially (before I heard about Seinfeld being part of the deal), I thought Microsoft was going to do that then I thought "Nah people will just slam them for copying off of Apple. The Seinfeld and Gates duo were straight out of a Seinfeld episode. I think I've seen every one of those episodes. Some parts of the commercial made me chuckle but it didn't make me think of Microsoft. I thought Microsoft was way off in selling themselves in the commercial. Then again, perhaps what Microsoft wanted? People to talk about the commercial and wonder what the heck the commercial was about.
I'm curious to see what happens with the fake Hodgman. I wonder if Seinfeld was able to keep all the money he was given for doing the commercials. I believe his contract with Microsoft was ten million dollars. Obviously, Microsoft has a lot more in store for us it reportedly is spending 300 million dollars on advertising.