That New Microsoft Ad
I watched the new Microsoft ad with Seinfeld with great interest, and wearing several different hats.
As a consumer, I was confused. What does Bill and Jerry's trip to the mall have to do with Windows?
As someone expecting to be entertained, I was disappointed. I half-chuckled at the churro line and smiled at Bill's ID. But the ad was scattered and unfunny.
As a Microsoft watcher, I was dumbfounded. What is this campaign hoping to accomplish? Are they trying to put a more personal face on Bill Gates, hoping that it will sell more copies of Windows? Is this trying to combat the "I'm a Mac" ads that paint Windows as out of touch? If so, why pick such a bewilderingly obtuse skit?
As someone who loves stand-up comedy, I knew I had seen this before. There's a strange phenomenon with stand-up comics -- they're funny on stage, but then they put out a live concert video and they feel the need to spice it up with lame skits. They're never funny, but I think comedians like to wear the director hat. That might be what happened here.
As an Apple fan, I'm thrilled. The longer Microsoft grasps at straws trying to be cool, the longer it'll take them to realize how to compete. Apple can get a lot done while Microsoft flails.
As a final point, I was amazed that people didn't universally dismiss this ad the way I did. Gruber of Daring Fireball said it wasn't bad, and this is the guy who does bitter scorn (especially against Microsoft) better than anyone online. The first 3 comments on Macrumors were mostly positive.
So maybe I don't represent the mainstream this time, but I think the ad does nothing but solidify suspicions that Microsoft is just as confused, uncool, and stuck in the 90s as the ad itself.
