Gizmodo: seinfeld

What Advertising Pros Think of Microsoft's Campaign

Brian Lam — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:12:05 EDT

I love the new Microsoft ads, from Seinfeld to the I'm a PC montage, but I'm no expert. Vanity Fair asked seven advertising pros to comment on Microsoft's campaign. They put answers in cute little old fashioned Windows error prompts. One thought: There are lots of CEOs here, but I'd prefer to see more creative directors share their thoughts. [Vanity Fair]

Question of the Day: Can Advertising Really Help Make Microsoft "Hip?"

Sean Fallon — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT

There is no doubt about it, Microsoft's "I'm a PC" ads are far better than those miserably bad Gates and Seinfeld spots. The newer ads try to dispel the stereotype of the Windows user as a glasses-wearing, buttoned-up super nerd by throwing popular actors, personalities, astronauts and everyday people into the mix. But I have to wonder—will any amount of money spent on advertising actually be effective in overcoming the stereotype, or is it too ingrained in your mind?

Microsoft's "I'm a PC" Ad Beats Seinfeld (But Not Hodgman)

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:14:40 EDT

Phase 2 of Microsoft's Windows ad campaign debuted tonight during The Office, and the latest work by ad agency Crispin, Porter + Bogusky definitely beats the crap out of those (ill-fated?) Gates/Seinfeld ads when it comes to making a point. The point is simple: Not all PC users look like John Hodgman. Some are even sexy beasts. It's easy to spot Deepak Chopra and Bill Gates affirming their PC-ness, but I think I also saw ~~A-Rod~~ Tony Parker and Eva Longoria too. You guys have a look and fill in the gaps, because there are a lot of celebs and specialists showing PC pride here. I only wish it didn't open with that poor bastard Hodgman lookalike—the message is damn loud and clear anyhow. Update: Windows' 15-second "I Wear a Suit" video below...

[Hey, sorry, I couldn't resist adding this note. Not that this changes any of my gear preferences, but these ads don't seem to feature scripted actors, and there is no baby music. Hello Chiat Day and Apple, time to get some new commercials: you've been out maneuvered! — BLam.]

[Microsoft]

Second Gates-Seinfeld Ad Shows They're Very Rich, Unlike Us

Elaine Chow — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:18:25 EDT

Remember that first Seinfeld-and-Gates adventure into Shoe Circus, which alluded to something about Windows being “soft and chewy and delicious?” Well, the new Laural and Hardy of ambiguous advertising have a new spot out and it's... making fun of your average scalloped potato-eating, leather giraffe from Cabo-buying, grumpy Grandma-having Suburban family. The incredibly rich duo try to connect on a “normal people” level and kind of fail utterly. Like Windows Vista. I think.

The ad aired on September 11 on CBS' “Big Brother” reality show. It's funnier than the first and you get to see Jerry clip his toenails and Bill do the robot, but as a Windows user, I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to think about this. “Looks like Macs aren't the only thing catering specifically to East and West coast elitists?” [ZDNet]

New Windows Ad Just an "Icebreaker"

Mark Wilson — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Confession: I actually very much enjoyed the new Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft ad. Yes, I found it funny and entertaining—the moment when Gates grins like a conspiratorial child revealing that his budget shoes were actual "leather" cracked me up. No, there wasn't ~~much~~ any substance, but who cares? If nothing else, it's positive branding and a fun way to kill commercial time otherwise filled with ads for new citrus-scented patio cleaners.

Anyway, an internal Microsoft memo explaining the ads to employees confirms what most of us suspected as Seinfeld compared PCs to some sort of chocolaty dessert—the first commercial was just an "icebreaker."

This first set of ads features Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Think of these ads as an icebreaker to reintroduce Microsoft to viewers in a consumer context. Later this month, as the campaign moves into its next phase, we’ll go much deeper in telling the Windows story and celebrating what it can do for consumers at work, at play and on-the-go. At that time, I’ll be back to share more information about our plans to further strengthen the bond between consumers and Windows–one of the most amazing products, businesses and brands of all time, and, with the right tenacity, passion and agility from all of us, a story that has many great chapters to come.

For the full memo, head on over to the link. [All Things Digital]

The First Bill Gates + Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft Ad Makes No Sense

Jason Chen — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:43:50 EDT

Besides the slick and probably expensive editing designed to make Jerry Seinfeld look like the more awkward of the pair, there's not a whole lot of special effects in this clip. In fact, there's not really a whole lot of anything, including laughs, information or pimping of Vista. It's kinda like Seinfeld's really long, really rambling Superman ad for Amex he did a few years back. We hope the rest of the campaign is better.

They did get Bill Gates to use his mug shot somewhere in the spot (not spoiling it by saying where), but other than that we're underwhelmed. Here's what we took away from it: Bill Gates's jiggling ass is moist and tasty. Don't ask us now, watch the clip and you'll see. [Thanks mbaronny!]