Comments

1. mikefarinha

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 2:32PM  

   Silly silly comments.

   Here is the correct link to the NYT article

   http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/business/media/18adco.html?pagewanted=2&ref=technology

   Here is the last portion of the article:

   As for Mr. Seinfeld, will he return at some point?

   “Jerry is a friend of the agency and Microsoft,” Mr. Reilly of Crispin Porter said, adding in a sly allusion to Brand X, “You like to keep your friends close — and your enemies closer.”
2. x2be

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 7:14PM  

   great job guys... great...

   "Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' ad images made on Macs"

   http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9115120&intsrc=hm_list
3. Ceinach

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 9:41PM  

   "Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' ad images made on Macs"

   Don't worry. I'm sure Chris will come back in another posting and tell all of us that this was always part of the "plan" too.

   This is quickly turning into a complete nightmare for Microsoft I imagine. Worst ad campaign in the history of ad campaigns is what this is quickly becoming.
4. x2be

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 10:48PM  

   hmm someone covered it up rather quickly
5. Brandon LeBlanc

   

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 10:50PM  

   Ceinach, no need to get cynical. And it doesn't look like a nightmware to me. The new ads look fantastic.

   According to the ComputerWorld article posted by x2be - only specific frames from the TV ads show files properties for "Adobe Photoshop C3 Machintosh". That's hardly anything to get worked up over. It could simply be that someone took screenshots of frames from the new TV ads and put them into Photoshop on a Mac to offer the images for download. It's far from conclusive that they were "created" on the Mac especially since they are images of specific video frames. I don't recall Photoshop making videos.

   I went to the PressPass site just now and when I download the "print quality versions" of the images in question from tonight's new TV ads they show "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows" under Program Name in the file properties.

   - Brandon
6. Brandon LeBlanc

   

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 10:55PM  

   x2be, whether it's a cover up or not there isn't enough there to actually say they were made on Mac. See my above post.

   Anyways the new ads are appearing and are available online here:

   http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/windows/videoGallery.aspx

   What do you think of the new ads?

   - Brandon
7. doze

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 11:29PM  

   Random points...

   PC = Personal Computer

   Nowadays PC equals not Mac, but these days Macs are pretty much a PC hardware wise running Mac OS X. Hmmm...

   Microsoft is a software company, Apple is a Software/Overpriced Hardware company.

   Microsoft makes software for "PCs", Apple "PCs" too... Apple Ads are extremely confused slagfests without real facts.

   Advertising is important, mostly because the average person buys based on who has the largest voice in promoting their product.

   These Microsoft ads don't slag Apple, bravo!! It's refreshing, even if people don't get them. They are successful in that everyone is talking about them, and that is a good thing whether it be positive or negative. Can't wait to see the next phase. Hopefully they will open some eyes, and allow people to make up their own minds by experience instead of taking someone's word.

   I use both Windows Vista and Mac OS X, but still prefer the Windows just because it does more on one box than OS X... not to mention it has the games too, although when there is time to play the Xbox 360 has filled in that department.

   Anyways, if advertising and getting correct information out to the masses didn't matter, we'd all be using Commodore Amiga's now because they were light years ahead of the PC and Mac... ;)
8. Ceinach

   
   Posted on: September 18, 2008 at 11:48PM  

   Brandon,

   What do I think of the new ads? Well, running IE8:

   1. When I click on the  link I get an "error on page" at the bottom of my browser.

   2. When I click on the .mpeg file I get a Windows Media Player error.

   3. The only ones that will play for me are the wmv ones.

   Aside from that, the new ads are better...but again, what are you selling? I really don't care that Eva Longoria is a PC user. We've now had six minutes of "warm up ads" and now I'm looking at more "warm up ads" that aren't selling anything. Are these ads going to get to some point and show us whatever great products/features you are trying to sell? They also legitimize Apple's advertising campaign.

   I'm lost and absolutely nothing anyone, the press or otherwise seems to be getting through to Microsoft. Everything is always great, the ads are perfect, nothing is wrong, this how we planned it, etc. Don't get me wrong, these are definately better than the previous Jerry ads (which I believe actually damaged MS's connection with real people), but again, you aren't telling us WHY Microosft is better. WHAT does Microsoft make that you are selling? HOW is this going to make my life and business function better? etc. It's just vague statements from celebrities and such, but at the end of the day...Apple could very well have said the EXACT SAME THING. There is nothing Microsoft or Windows-specific in these ads.

   You've lost me. Really. Lost. I'm simply going to stop posting on these forums. It's really just pointless I can see.
9. Brandon LeBlanc

   

   
   Posted on: September 19, 2008 at 12:20AM  

   Ceinach, did you have trouble playing the videos in the Silverlight player in IE8 Beta 2? They worked for me. I put in the word there might be some issues to some folks who can look into it.

   I'd prefer it if you continue leaving comments here. I like hearing from you and your feedback is very much appreciated.

   As long as the feedback is constructive and respectful we want to continue hearing from you.

   - Brandon
10. Safetynet22

    
    Posted on: September 19, 2008 at 12:36AM  

    x2be- I can confirm that the original images have been replaced with ones that now say CS3 windows. someone definately coverd this up quick. not a real big deal though. a bit of a black eye though.

    brandon- did microsoft suddenly copyright the term 'pc' when we were not looking? copying apple ads may not be the best idea. it lends credence to apples strategy. microosft is playing right into the hands of their competitor.

    all- did anyone think about the term 'windows without walls' through? microsoft is setting them selfs up here. I see apple coming out with a future ad like this-

    PC Guy- 'hi, i'm a pc"

    Mac Guy- 'hi i'm a mac"

    <to the side a large wall comes crashing down starling the two. a single window is left hanging in mid air - both PC and Mac guy walk around the window in confusion>

    PC Guy- 'woah! all that is left is the window'

    Mac Guy- 'yea, i don't know why we need it now.'

    PC Guy- 'hmmm'

    Mac Guy- 'well, i have some great photos of my trip i need to make, so i will go now and good luck with this mess.'

    <Scene fades - apple logo>

    just some thoughts to think about. it's not bad. its just not great either.