Windows Not Blogs.
Oh my, it's been a little while since I've delved into the happenings in the tech world, so let me get back on track here. What better way to get back into the flow of things than by bashing Microsoft?It was reported that Microsoft recently signed Jerry Seinfeld on as the spokesperson for their new ad campaign. Microsoft's $300 million campaign, 10 of which Jerry will be pocketing, will also feature Bill Gates alongside the, now retired, comic. The campaign will work to combat the very popular Apple "Hi I'm a Mac" ad campaign that for the past 2 years has taken a hard jab at Windows, especially Vista, while showing the coolness and functionality of Apple's hardware and software. The ads will especially attempt to reverse the perception that Windows Vista sucks ... which is a very common sentiment these days. The theme of this campaign is going to be called, "Windows, not walls.".
So having said all of that, I have three questions about all of this.
First of all, why did Microsoft wait soooooooo long to actually start doing ads to lessen the blow of Apple's recent campaign?
I don't know if they've been paying attention but Apple has been quickly gaining steam. Their market-share has risen sharply over the past few years, and while it can't all be attributed to the Mac vs. PC ads, I'm sure that helps. You'd think that MS would have tried to nip it in the bud sooner rather than so much later. Waiting this long pretty much gave Apple the green light to do and say what they wanted about MS, Vista and the Windows platform as a whole, be it true or somewhat exaggerated. Hell, if MS had done something sooner, maybe they wouldn't have to try to change the perception that Vista sucks, which it doesn't (completely) they fixed a lot of bugs and actually got Vista working quite well, but you wouldn't know that because MS doesn't advertise for crap.
Secondly, why Bill Gates and Jerry Sienfeld?
Talk about dipping deep into the way-back machine. I may be completely wrong, but I don't think that Bill or Jerry are very relevant in mainstream society anymore ... are they? Doesn't seem like the best way to go, a retired CEO who was once the richest man in the world, and a comedian that has been out of the public eye for about 10 years ... trying to relate to people. I think Microsoft pulled names from a hat and just said, "Eff it, here are our spokespeople.". They'd have been better off with Jaleel White (aka Steve Urkel, Family Matters), Patrick Duffy (aka Frank Lambert, Step By Step) and Clifford the Big Red Dog as face of the new campaign. At least then we'll know they have absolutely no idea as to what they are doing, as opposed to speculating on if they have any clue. One other thing about Jerry Sienfeld as their new spokesperson ... doesn't he use a Mac? I'm pretty sure on his show he was always using a Mac. In-fact, I think he was also featured in one of Apple's ads not too long ago ... seems like MS really did their research.
Lastly, I want to know who came up with the slogan, "Windows not Walls", and what they were smoking? Seriously, what does that even mean? "Windows not Walls", why not just make it "Windows not Handlebars" or "Windows not Thinly Sliced Cheddar"? Those are just as cryptic, and similarly confusing. The only thing I could think of is Microsoft is trying to suggest that Windows is a more open platform, and Apple is proprietary ... which was true 10 years ago. Oh wait, that's about the same time Sienfeld was still relevant and Bill Gates was still running a company, so I guess that makes sense then.
Using this 10-year ago theme, I just can't wait to see the ads that Microsoft produces, "Did you know Apple's iMac doesn't have a Floppy Drive, how will you be able to save anything?", "Apple's new Mac OS 9 is garbage!", "Windows has all the best new games, Sim City, Solitaire and Everquest! Windows Not Walls.". Now that I think about it, maybe this is why Microsoft never advertises, they're still running on dial-up.