The New Microsoft Ads: Why Didn’t They Just Start With These?

“I’m a PC, and I’ve been turned into a stereotype,” says the John Hodgman lookalike at the start of Microsoft’s new Seinfeld-free commercials. Then they jump to all sorts of people saying “I’m a PC”.

The message is simple: PC users aren’t all nerdy puffy white guys in tweed suits — many different people use PCs and they leading interesting lives and do cool things with them. If the goal of Microsoft’s new ad campaign is to counter Apple’s “I’m a Mac/I’m a PC” ads and rehabilitate Microsoft’s and Windows’ sagging image, these ads are doing a much better job than the Seinfeld/Gates” ads (here’s the first ad, here’s the longer follow-up) about nothing.

Take a look:

What do you think?

Joey deVilla

View Comments

  • My favorite is this one, which was on IGN gaming website today. It's rather amusing if you recognize the source pic:

  • btw, as far as i can tell, that wasn't a spoof... unless someone paid to have their spoof put in a banner ad spot and linked back to MS site for the campaign..

  • Well, I think they're worlds better than the bizarre Seinfeld/Gates ads, but they still leave me cold. Actually, they leave me shouting at the TV "Oh, wait, you mean a lot of people use PCs? I had no idea!" And then I fall over in shock. I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to get from these ads, other than that it's a virtual monopoly. Makes me want to get a Mac in protest.

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