AppleInsider StaffThe four and half minute extended skit can be seen below. It's been reported that Microsoft has agreed to pay Seinfeld approximately $10 million for his role in the ads, which are said to be just one facet of a massive $300 million advertising campaign on the part of the Redmond-based software giant aimed at cleaning up the tarnished image of Windows Vista.
In an email to employees recently, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer also revealed that the company will be changing the way it works with hardware vendors to mimic the experience offered by Apple in which there will be "absolutely no compromises."
"In the competition between PCs and Macs, we outsell Apple 30-to-1. But there is no doubt that Apple is thriving," Ballmer wrote in the email. "Why? Because they are good at providing an experience that is narrow but complete, while our commitment to choice often comes with some compromises to the end-to-end experience."
To this end, Microsoft said it plans to deploy Gurus — essentially clones of Apple Geniuses — to approximately 155 Best Buy and Circuit City retails by the end of the year.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
146 Comments
Honestly, I have to admit the Ads are kind of cute, and are funny at times.
But, I suppose they're trying to duplicate the Seinfeld show, which was as they themselves said, about nothing.
The Ads also seem to be about nothing.
Unless they get more focussed later on, I just can't see what good they will do.
And I'm trying to look at this seriously, as a former Ad man, without making the usual Microsoft jokes.
I don't see any Vista promotion at all. I don't get it.
On the other hand, it was fun to watch, kind of like the 'internal' MS videos.
They're still working overtime to polish that turd, aren't they?
They should really fire their ad agency. While the ads are kind of dorky/cute.... they completely miss the mark. Just more proof that MS doesn't give a crap about it's users..... and why I, Thank God.... USE A MAC!
Just another half-ass attempt by microsoft to be cool. Which will never be the true no matter how many billions of dollars Gates spends. If he actually gave a crap about the POS product (software) his company put out then maybe he'd have a chance. Gates is a great marketer and seer of opportunities.... but he's selling a Yugo in a Honda box..... It's always been that way... and I suspect it always will be.... Until they start seeing a major drop in market share then maybe they'll wake up.
Okay, so Jerry meets Bill in the shoe store and takes him home to meet the family. Notice that Jerry has no wife. I can't wait to see who's invited to Bill and Jerry's wedding in California.