For years Apple fans have lamented that the Mac commercials never really showed how much easier, faster or more fun a Mac can be. Yet somehow Apple’s advertisements have always struck a chord and are listed time and again as some of the best in the world. "1984", "Think different." even "I’m a Mac" are edgy, different and compelling. They tell a story. People listen.
But look at the $300 million dollar Microsoft ad blitz. Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld? Just the chance pairing is unlikely, let alone a set (or a reported trio that was immediately canceled) of 90 second commercials that say nothing about Microsoft and do nothing to help the brand. Now they’ve tried to run their own "I’m a PC" ads which only come off as stiff, no content remnants of other people’s advertisements. No storytelling, no conclusion, no real value at all. Certainly nothing for Microsoft to feel proud about.
Can’t help but say this, those ads are kinda like a PC. Boring, beige, and unremarkable.
Microsoft – here’s a hint: Make your ads irreverent, not irrelevant. Tell the truth, don’t take a tone. And above all, feel free to spend $299 Million on your television ads but save $1M for the bloggers who can help you rise above the noise while making some of your own. And no, creating 4 minute versions of your TV ads does not qualify as good web 2.0 marketing.
UPDATE: Sept 22 – Looks like the New York Times is asking people for their own suggestions for good Vista ads.
I think the key here is that with “I’m a Mac”, Apple presented their brand against everything else. With “I’m a PC”, Microsoft is validating Apple’s proposition that they are just a generic. It remains to be seen if people are happy enough with the generic or if the brand name is worth the headache of the switch.
Apparently Microsoft thinks they just have an image problem. Rather than spending $300M on building a better product, they spend it on telling their customers that they just don’t understand. Granted, you need a marketing spend, but only when you have something to say.
These commercials are really bad. They aren’t funny. Seinfeld needs to go away… he hasn’t been funny for at least ten years now. And Eva Longoria is supposed to star in future M$ ads? Why? Does M$ think the public relates to her? What does this say? Surf for naked pictures of Eva and get tons of nasty spyware and virii on your windows box? Or maybe they need to launch a campaign as to how bad Windows security is so that it creates jobs or keeps really bad software companies like Symantec in business. Maybe they can talk about all the hidden nasties that get downloaded into your PC whenever you do a software update? This helps create jobs for technical support peeps in India. Microsoft, creating jobs through superior lameness. Microsoft is like a retarded parrot… copying apple… and doing it badly.
Ok, I know Apple’s commercials “i’m a mac” are very good and they have an actual message not like the one from MS, but lets face it, it a good campaign for their goal market.
Apple is trying to get “PCs” to the mac side, MS is trying to send a message to PCs telling them that being a PC is not a bad thing and I think they do it very good.
Maby to the eyes of a mac this commercial is almost offensive but analizing it with an objective point of view it can be a great marketing campaing from MS.
Actually, Apple’s marketing is what keeps me from wanting to give them my money. Fanboys exaggerate facts, play on stereotypes, are hypocritical and Apple is being the biggest one.
Thanks for the information…I bookmarked your site, and I appreciate your time and effort to make your blog a success!