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Microsoft airs first Seinfeld ad for Windows

updated 09:15 pm EDT, Thu September 4, 2008

 

Microsoft Seinfeld Ad


Microsoft tonight aired the first of its widely reported Jerry Seinfeld ads meant to restore awareness of Windows and improve Vista's poor reputation. The one minute, thirty-second segment conspicuously avoids any direct descriptions of Windows or attacks against rivals such as Apple; instead, it focuses on a chance meeting between Seinfeld and former Microsoft chief Bill Gates at a shoe store with a comedic conversation reminiscent of Seinfeld's own routines and TV show.

The only mention of Windows appears near the end of the segment, when Seinfeld asks if Microsoft is working on something to make computers "moist and chewy" and the Windows logo promptly appears.

The ad marks the effective start of Microsoft's claimed "edgy" ad campaign, which would see Seinfeld alone paid $10 million for multiple spots and the total campaign's online and offline promotions costing as much as $300 million. Company officials have acknowledged that the TV effort in particular is designed to counter Apple ads which use a similar, two-man comedy routine format that has been partly credited for helping the Mac maker's reputation.



By Electronista Staff

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industry, software, Microsoft, Vista, Apple
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Previous Comments

  1. bhuot

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2003

    +3

    if an actor says so

    If they paid an actor and the actor says it is good, what more proof could you ask for ;-)


  1. Bartman

    Junior Member

    Joined: Oct 1999

    +8

    Bill gates

    Shaking his "you know what" to sell vista is a new low for him :) If he's that desperate then maybe I will buy vista... nah.. no way


  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    +18

    Edgy campaign?

    That wasn't edgy. That was the stupidest thing I've ever seen!


  1. boomer0127

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2004

    +14

    odd.

    that was... odd.


  1. darkrail

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2006

    +12

    Edgy!

    Man would that be edgy if this was 1991. They missed their edgy deadline by a mere 17 years... so close!

    I do hope they paid their ad firm extra money for the extra-edgy content.


  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    +12

    Lame

    I was really looking forward to these new MS ads. This is stupider than stupid. Just plain dumb.

    I think that it is safe to assume that Microsoft is now one of the lamest companies in history and they will never offer the world any great product.


  1. bsnoel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2006

    +7

    Let Down

    Well, that was a let down, I have to assume they will get better. I guess the only edgy TV for tonight is going to be a political convention. : (



  1. morphineseason

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2007

    +12

    Well that was an...

    Epic fail. What does this commercial have to do with anything? And people were giving Apple c*** for their commercials not explaining much...at least they mention their products. This makes me want to buy........shoes?


  1. Cory Bauer

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Jun 2001

    0

    Success!

    Suddenly, after watching this ad I find myself fully aware of Windows Vista and think it has a reputation for greatness.


  1. Smurfman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2001

    +8

    Well...

    Future ads can only get better... right?? Just like Windows... Right? Hmmm... Maybe not.


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