In fact the technical term for this is a “reeker!”
As we should all know by now, Microsoft Corp. has tapped Jerry Seinfeld to anchor an advertising campaign for the company in hopes of counteracting the insulting “Mac vs. PC” ads, featuring comic John Hodgman (as PC) and actor Justin Long (Mac).
Based on Microsoft’s history in advertising, let me start with the logical premise that this advertising campaign will stink. Try to think of a memorable advertisement by this company, and you can’t do it.
So the question becomes not whether the campaign will stink, but how bad.I have come up with three possibilities. The kindest one would be “just stinks.” After that comes “stinks to high heaven,” followed by the frightful “What are they thinking!?
Seinfeld got a reported $10 million for this fine effort.
Um, I, like, um, have, um an admission to , like, um, make….
I quite liked it.
There, I said it. It’s done. I’ll go and have a shower now.
First off some admissions – I never watched Seinfeld when it was shown here in the UK. And I have no axe to grind with either Apple or MS – I use both of them and have things I like and dislike about them both.
The ad was subtle, gentle comedy which had a softly spoken point to it at the end. And I enjoyed watching it.
So they could have given the $10m to an ad agency ? How many ads on TV at the moment do I actually like ? None spring to mind. And they are all the product of ad agencies. So give the money to someone more creative -they cant be any worse can they ?
And thank they didn’t go down the ‘insult Apple’ road. It would just seem like 2 school kids shouting ‘you suck!’ ‘no, you suck!’ back and forth at each other.
Still got a long way to go in this campaign and I’m looking forward to more.
Dylan
(Oh, apologies in advance to all those who will flame me now- I’m away from Internet for next 9 hours so wont be able to reply)
In fact the technical term for this is a “reeker!”
It’s not even good enough to qualify as a reeker. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a bad ad.
So.. were they shooting for surreal, or just letting it happen of it’s own accord? Either way, I enjoyed it, and I’m a Mac. All in all, it’s so stupid that it almost works. Would’ve preferred Larry David over Seinfeld though.
With ads like that, who needs PC’s, people will be flocking to buy Macs, iPhones, iPods and such…bring them on..
Like the ad, M$ apps only stick to the point for a short time, then some how get lost in the transition….
Should have upped the div to share holders.
I had to double check the Dvorak headline to see if this was an add for MS or for Shoe Circus. This sums up Microsoft really. It Sucks
I think it’s funny, but it never mentions a product. Doesn’t that go against the whole point of doing an ad?
and the point of the ad would be?
It wasn’t anything to get excited about, but it wasn’t supremely horrible. Just them attempting to put Gates into Seinfeld’s world and see what happens.
My take would be they want to “Humanize” Gates and thus Microsoft. Which would imply more ads of them “running into” each other at normal day-to-day places and gradually integrating microsoft products to make some point.
The big thing is that some of the folks at microsoft are relatively unknown to regular audiences and thus inside jokes won’t work nor will bringing in cameos of various MS people. It will have to be entirely on Seinfeld’s turf for any of it to work.
That being said, if we see four or five ads and they are all in similar veins without a continuation of the story/point, then yeah, it will officially suck.
If you remember some of the American Express commercials and web “stories” that seinfeld did, the gist of each of the commercials was to push the brand using his form of humor, not to just have him wave the logo in your face.
So I’d say give it a bit and see what else they are going to do. Probably subtle things, like touch-tables for them to find a good dinner spot.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Brit but I quite liked it. I have NO idea what the point is except to humanize Gates and he certainly would seem to be more sympatico than Jobs.
It’s not stellar, but not that bad. Somewhat funny.
Nearing the end, while walking with Gates, Sienfeld said “are they ever gonna come out with something that make our computers moist and chewy.. yadda… yadda…..”. Is this implying that there’s a new product coming?
Hopefully they don’t mean Vista. To promote the OS after almost 2 years in the market is just plain wacko. There’s no hope Vista (from a marketing point of view), even though I personally have no issues with it.
But sounds like there’s something new. I’ll give them the chance to complete the whole campaign.
So Microsoft is going into the shoe business? That is so cool, something Apple hasn’t thought of yet. Innovation from Microsoft has finally arrived, the eShoe. Seinfeld brings it home!
I expected Jar Jar Binks at some point.
“Microsoft Windows, eh?”
“Yeah”
“That model runs tight”
“Yup”
Millions of people who have been pinched, squeezed and given corns by Windows agree. Ouch! Another BSOD — I’ve just lost the last half hour’s work! Thank god for AutoSave! Now, how do I turn it on again?
i loved it
Another vote for “liked it.” Thought it was underplayed, humanized, and in a story form versus pushing a brand in my face. Now whether it helps MS is another question, but it did put a smile on my face. Not too many commercials do that these days. Does not make me want to give up my Mac (nor slow down my eventual near-complete move to the White Side, but…)
Bill Gates could become a comedy star.
Oh I get it now. It’s an ad about nothing.
I’m a fan of well-done commercials. This was boring. No talent. No creativity.
Playing to geeks at best – which I honestly think shouldn’t be the point of TV advertising. You can get away with niche adverts on the Web; but, they cost a hell of a lot less, too.
Wasting money on an NFL spot with mediocrity is foolish.
I saw this on TV last night. It was very uncomfortable.
I’ve seen worse. “Head On” comes to mind.
Wow, I was shocked at how unfunny this ad really was. Now let me tell you why this is so bad.
What do George Lucas and Jerry Seinfeld have in common? They are both so rich and so popular, that NO ONE ever tells them NO anymore.
As in NO you are not funny here, as in NO Jar Jar Binks is a terrible character, or NO NO NO BAD DOG, no one wants to see Bill Gates do a hip shake. NO!
If you surround yourself with only Yes men and women, then you are bound to fail. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and often. Being funny is very hard, being funny often is damn near impossible without a group of good writers and creative staff who hate each other in a jealous but respectful loving kind way, who will point out to you in no uncertain terms.
CHURROS ARE NOT FUNNY! Not by themselves or as the focus of a software company’s ad. Tasty yes, funny no.
Just my 2¢,
Kelvington
I tell you what… that ad was effective and drove the point home.
Very clever of Shoe Circus to get Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld to do their ads!
Now where do I sign up for that Shoe Circus Clown Club Platinum Membership?!?!?!
There is some subtle humor.
Did anyone notice the Clown Club membership card has the image of Bill’s mugshot when he was arrested in 1997 for a traffic violation?
oops 1977.
Well, it’s rather bland but
it was better than the
“w-w-w-windows 386” video.
It’s no “1984” Apple spot, is it? I detest Apple products because they focus so much on fashion design. I have been a PC user since I quit my Apple II, so, being one, I am too out of it to see the humor or point. Just deliver a great-working OS, Bill. Fire Jerry now.
Seinfeld is not funny. He jumped the shark years ago.
I though it was pretty good. Lot of jabs at apple from the circus store to the (OS) 10 size shoes. Very funny of course most people won’t get it.
As usual, it’s a strategic rip-off of Mac ads.
Replace the Mac user guy with Bill Gates (an easy-going surprisingly average guy who understands the average user), and the Windows guy replaced by Seinfield (the goofy friendly and unusual sidekick) that together sell product in a soft-sell humorous (we’re just like you) fashion.