Here’s the latest installment of Microsoft’s $300 million Windows Vista ad campaign. And it’s official now — Seinfeld has left the building — but we still see the company taking a completely different PR position than they have in recent times. Apple has been gaining significant market share lately, and what better way to stop them than to “re-engineer” the company with a new hip, fun culture!?
I personally feel like this is a long-overdue ad. Apple has now been alienating Windows users for years with their “I’m a Mac” ads — it’s about time the tech giant got with the program and strapped on their boxing gloves. And yes, I’m a PC too (for now).
What do you think – will this campaign get people excited about Windows?
Update: Microsoft has posted a few new ads in their campaign including “I’m a PC: Pride” and “I’m a PC: Not Alone“. Check ‘em out and let us know what you think.
I think, first of all, the ad means Apple's campaign is obviously working. Microsoft has to fight back against a particular ad? How times have changed.
But Apple's ads do more than "stereotype," as this campaign claims. They point out specific things the software can do. They point out ease of use and particular applications, and they state what can't be done so easily on the PC. This ad doesn't talk about software or capabilities, it talks about selling fish and designing green buildings. But with what? How? Can a Mac not do these things? The Mac ads talk about college kids using them. This ad shows a guy in a shark tank. Is Microsoft really after the shark tank crowd?
And Eva Longoria? Really, Microsoft? Eva Longoria?
No, I think this ad just shows that Microsoft is on the ropes, and they have no idea what they're really fighting or where to throw their punches.
And for what it's worth, I'm a Mac and a PC.
you know what would be the best ad ever? Having a mac guy and a windows guy arguing, and then have someone else just walk up and backhand them both to the ground, then slowly fade to "linux". You could do it with different people who fit different stereotypes that kind of match up with the main benefits of a specific distro, and then it would fade to "____ linux". as for microsofts ads, they are all right, buy they dodge actually talking much about vista. Mostly just buy into current politics. So all in all, no, they are not very effective ads simply because while it make connect to the audience, it does not convince them to buy vista, it just says that they are alike.
I love the commercial idea, Mr. Graves! It's tough for them to tout differences between the OSs, since lets be honest, there aren't many nowadays. The companies have very similar products, so marketing is all they've got right now until someone does something absolutely revolutionary (Windows 7? Mac OS XI?). I understand that Apple touts little differences in their commercials, but that's because they're trying to steal market share from the majority, Microsoft. As you mentioned, it's all about keeping yourself looking good, while making the other guy look bad… which as I mentioned, is tough to do in this playing field. I think Apple's succeeded in recent years because — lets be honest — people feel that Microsoft is evil. Maybe… just maybe… this ad campaign is on its way to making people more comfortable with Microsoft as a company. We'll have to wait and see…
…And speaking of stereotypes, since when does 'PC' = Windows? There are a variety of other OS choices, that could be considered competitors to Windows, which are options for users with PC hardware.
Where does Microsoft get off using the word 'PC' to market their software product?
Scott -
Well, I guess the real question is…
– Where does Apple get off associating all non-Apple computers with Windows? I mean… an Apple computer is actually an Apple PC. –
Remember — most – if not all of the "I'm a Mac" commercials feature John Hodgeman as a Windows PC, so I suppose Microsoft is just going along with the title.