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Gates and Seinfeld are terrible house guests in second Microsoft ad
"Why are we doing this again?" Asks Bill Gates to his comedic companion, who rests upon a pink-blanketed bed in a room with purple walls. Jerry Seinfeld replies: "Why, Bill? Because, as we discussed, you and I are a little out of it."
Microsoft's newest ad comes after last week's rather confusing commercial. Instead of churros and sneakers, we're treated to a four-and-a-half minute Seinfeldian sketch depicting the pair as house guests in an average suburban home. So what can we take from this? Last week's ad ended with the words: "The Future: Delicious." This week the theme is "Perpetually Connecting." No mention of Vista in either. Microsoft's ads feel less and less like a reply to Apple's knuckle-dusting, PC bashing commercials, and are more like a focused (albeit oblique) showcase of the benefits of computing in general. We'll just have to see where the ads take us, and if Microsoft is indeed working on a delicious computer.
They're quirky and flighty, but I can't help but like 'em.
By Stick at 5:33 PM ON 09/12/08
I wonder why noone ever comments on DVICE.
By chrisfullman at 5:43 PM ON 09/12/08
I think this spot improves greatly on the "foundation" (at least, that's what I'm calling it) that is the first, confusing spot of the campaign. (You can see the link with the first spot by the Conquistadors Gates is holding in the bedroom.)
I have no doubt that Crispin Porter + Bogusky (the same agency that created the now-iconic King of Burger King and its Whopperettes and Subservient Chicken and the creepy/chilling VW crash commercials) have a good plan for these series of spots: They're not out there to immediately slap Apple for the often misleading yet culturally-relevant "Mac vs PC" ads, at least not yet. I believe they're reintroducing a brand to a general audience that has become so comfortable they can't help but complain about Microsoft.
Yes, this ad is actually very smart, and seeing Seinfeld and Gates "reconnect" with people is the approach Microsoft is taking with this campaign.
Sometimes marketing is just marketing, it doesn't need to be in-your-face product placement, logos and features/benefits.
By fwdemails at 6:42 PM ON 09/12/08
MAC ads are short & sweet!
By budgethero at 9:42 AM ON 09/13/08
taking that in chris, i still wonder why it's so long. it's a good long. but who the hell plays such a long commercial? it's a mini movie.
and also, kudos to micrsoft for not playing the mud slinging game the candidates and mac plays. this is one odd come back but ..yeah. and nice job on navaho too.
By Docquesting at 10:45 AM ON 09/13/08
$300 million for this? What does it make me want to do. Go hurt someone and then buy a Mac.......
By Brass_Orchid at 3:33 AM ON 09/14/08
It is long for editing into hundreds of small ads. Technology, starting with interchangeable machine parts, is practically brand new yet. Things will go wrong and things will change. We don't know what we are doing. We are learning. We don't even know WHY we are doing what we do. We are moving forward anyway. Obstacles and the unexpected are at every turn, yet anything may be possible. Rivalry is for the juvenile and the others displaced by progress who will be left behind eventually. We boldly go, yadda, yadda.
By Anonymous at 6:07 AM ON 09/15/08
Are there any monster in the story?
yes but don't worry there is a firewall.
By PeterD at 6:39 PM ON 09/15/08
I appreciate that these commercials are subtle and subdued compared to the Mac vs. PC ads. Microsoft is taking a positive (if oblique) approach, especially compared to Mac's ads which, much like a bully in the schoolyard, don't care if what they say are true or not, but are going to punch you in the face and make damned sure you know YOU'RE wrong.
By lacedout at 10:59 AM ON 09/21/08
Thank you...thank you for breaking that down for me because I was honestly lost with trying to figure out what it had to do with Microsoft. Although the commercial was entertaining to watch.
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lacedout:
Thank you...thank you for breaking that down for me because I was honestly lost with trying to figure out what it h...More »