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Bill Gates, Jerry Seinfeld ad airs - Apple has nothing to worry about
Jerry Seinfeld, famous for developing a popular TV show "about nothing," seems to be at it again. Except this time he's part of a $300 million advertising campaign for Microsoft that also seems to be about nothing. And while nothing might be kind of funny in 22 minute segments that are always about something at their core, the first Microsoft commercial starring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld really does seem to be about nothing. In that pointless, mind-boggling, "what the hell are they trying to say?" kind of way.
It would probably be bearable if the 90 second commercial were at least funny. But really, it's not. The point is apparently to introduce the audience to the characters and the funny will come in later ads. Presumably so will information about Vista. But seriously. 90 seconds of nothing? The very first Mac vs. PC ad weighed in at around 30 seconds, was funny, and didn't require much setup. If this is the best Microsoft's ad team has to offer, Apple doesn't have much to worry about.
On the other hand, while Apple continues to gain popularity, Microsoft still dwarfs the company in terms of market share. So maybe Microsoft doesn't really need to follow the format set by others.
It would probably be bearable if the 90 second commercial were at least funny. But really, it's not. The point is apparently to introduce the audience to the characters and the funny will come in later ads. Presumably so will information about Vista. But seriously. 90 seconds of nothing? The very first Mac vs. PC ad weighed in at around 30 seconds, was funny, and didn't require much setup. If this is the best Microsoft's ad team has to offer, Apple doesn't have much to worry about.
On the other hand, while Apple continues to gain popularity, Microsoft still dwarfs the company in terms of market share. So maybe Microsoft doesn't really need to follow the format set by others.
Comments
38
Subscribe to commentsBernieSep 5th 2008 1:16PM
You're cheating, you all ready had an opinion about the style of add. The tone in which you say that Seinfeld "might be kind of funny" indicates that you either don't like Seinfeld or you're simply nonplussed by it/him.
So it goes without saying that you'd probably have the same opinion if not worse of a commercial following using similar comedic approaches.
Also, the Mac vs PC ads didn't require much setup because they're dead simple. It's Mac and PC. Simple is Mac's style and they obviously pull it off well but these Microsoft ads are clearly aiming for something a little bit more complex.
Give them a chance.
TaylorSep 5th 2008 2:32PM
Hahaha, that was hilarious! You seriously don't think the concept of bill gates and jerry seinfeld, two insanely rich men, shopping at "Shoe Circus discount shoes" is funny!? You really fail if that's what you think, i thought it was great. And seriously... the tagline at the end? "Microsoft.... Delicious." That is so silly it's great! Everyone sees MS as this big evil overlord, so being silly is exactly what they need to refresh their brand image! Failure DLS, failure.
-Taylor
JasonSep 5th 2008 3:37PM
Obviously Brad has never seen Seinfeld... if he had he would have understood the basic concept behind the ad...
Oh and can we bring back the Unofficial Microsoft Weblog??? Didn't that get *merged* with Download Squad? We already have TUAW... how come that didn't get merged with Download Squad? Did you need to do away TUMW so you didn't have to write nice and interesting things about MS products? Really... there are TONS more MS users than there are Apple users... why does Apple deserve 2 blogs on your network (really 5 or 6 if you include Engadget, Engadget Moblie, etc...) and MS doens't even get one? Oh... I see... you just dont have anyone working at these blogs that likes MS... so your readers must be just like you.
RahabibSep 5th 2008 4:50PM
Rather than forcefully give commercial after commercial of half truths like Apple does, Microsoft did something completely different which is what they should do.
Remember the episode of Seinfeld where he breaks up with a girl because she likes the pants commercial that doesn't talk about the pants?
The commercial is basically a short Seinfeld episode ('about nothing'). It doesn't have to go down the road Apple does, just get the name out.
EricSep 5th 2008 6:40PM
I quite liked it, and I even watched it on my MacBook Pro.
If Microsoft had a cake-based PC, I may consider switching.
davidSep 5th 2008 8:04PM
The commercial was just like Seinfeld's old show - it had some interesting characters and was about nothing at all. That works on a TV show but Microsoft is trying to sell something - we already know Bill and Jerry and I for one have no desire to learn more about the shoe guy.
As a 90 second skit it works - it was entertaining and funny. As a commercial trying to brand Microsoft it was a sad failure.
David BlomstromSep 5th 2008 9:02PM
Are you sure Microsoft is funding this advertising campaign, not Apple? All seriousness aside, it's no secret that Bill Gates is a little eccentric, and some people have suggested he may be a little "mental." I'd say this ad just about confirms it. Only a kook would approve such an ad.
I'll have more to say about the Jerry Seinfeld anti-M$ ad and Bill Gates' mental state on my Bill Gates "knol" at http://knol.google.com/k/david-blomstrom/bill-gates/1i6e04re3w2kp/4#
JohnSep 5th 2008 9:02PM
Do no evil. Knol what I'm saying?
FlubberBoySep 6th 2008 1:51AM
Like 99% of the world who don't worship Bill Gates... I DON'T GET IT... and I've got 152 IQ!
JohnSep 5th 2008 9:02PM
For such an epic failure, people sure are writing and talking about it a lot. Hmm.
I can't remember half of the stupid Apple commercials.
AdrielSep 5th 2008 11:29PM
I thought it was funny. If it was made by anyone but Microsoft I am sure more people would like it...
BenSep 6th 2008 8:11AM
honestly, if you liked that ad, then you are just as bad as the people you accuse of being "mac-lovers" it was a stupid ad, there was no point to it, not only that but as mentioned earlier its too long.
That ad will not help Microsoft one bit.
Dave ForsterSep 6th 2008 8:11AM
It's true what they say... 'irony' really is a foreign concept to you yanks... you just don't get it do you ?
You can tell that some forms of humour just won't work in the US by the way they butchered the UK version of The Office ... the US version to total pants!
Did you know that the 80's James Bond film 'Licence To Kill' was originally titled 'Licence Revoked'.... they had to change it because a study showed americans didn't know what it meant ! (I know this has nothing whatsoever to do with the current topic... just thought I'd mention it)
Enough yank bashing... I liked the ad, but then again I'm a Brit.
;-)
chris josephSep 6th 2008 8:57AM
Gates: I'm a PC
Seinfeld: Thanks for the money, Bill!
I'm a Mac dude (watching on TV): ROFL
DaveSep 8th 2008 8:10AM
I loved it. Of course, I have an entire blog dedicated to shoe-related humor and trivia:
http://www.SatisfiedSole.com
Eric HSep 8th 2008 5:04PM
The Mac ads were never funny, just full of lies.
The TruthSep 11th 2008 10:51PM
The Bill Gates commercial is hilarious! Laugh-out loud funny. How can you not guffaw at a butt wag from Bill Gates!? That is so much funnier than the manic alter-ego that Apple has sledgehammered into our skulls.
JimboNov 2nd 2008 9:11PM
Whether you think the commercial is funny or not (it isn't) it's just a cover-up of what is actually going on here. Bill gates, for the first time in his company's history, is losing money. Now, they aren't losing a large sum, but just enough so that BIll has a little more trouble filling up his helicopters with gas nowadays. Bill and his advertisers think that if they can crush this Apple uprising now then they can resume their powerful dominance over the computer market. However, this commercial is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to crush apple and their ads (which are funny). Their new OS is crap at best. This commercial is even more pathetic than the one about Windows "Mojave". Showing a few people that are surprised at what the computer should be able to do is pointless. What it really points out is that those people couldn't get their computer to do what they wanted it to do. Apple's OS is not only better, it is easier to use. Yes you do have to find certain apps compatible with Mac OSX, but I have never had any problems with this. As a long time frustrated Windows user and pleasantly surprised never frustrated Apple user (I've been one for 5 years) I am more than confident to say that it is only matter of time before Microsoft succumbs to Apple, unless they completely reshape their platform and work on an OSX that is human-friendly and not computer geek-friendly. Besides, when was the last time that Bill Gates was in a commercial of his own actually promoting WIndows? I cant think of one.