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Microsoft to Launch Biggest Ad Campaign
My Way News ^ | Apr 18, 1:18 AM (ET) | ALLISON LINN

Posted on 04/17/2005 11:29:30 PM PDT by Swordmaker

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is launching one of its biggest and costliest advertising campaigns ever - but don't expect the big splash to accompany a new product.

Instead, the campaign premiering Monday is aimed at revitalizing consumer interest in Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system. A new version of Windows has not been released since Windows XP debuted nearly four years ago. And although Microsoft plans to launch a new version in late 2006, the company said Friday that this new campaign will not be geared toward that product, code-named Longhorn.

Scott Lennard, director of advertising for Microsoft's consumer marketing group, would not say whether Microsoft is concerned that the aggressive television, print and Internet campaign focused on Windows XP could spur consumers to buy the older product - effectively snagging sales from Longhorn when it's released.

Instead, he characterized the campaign as being generally about Windows, with a focus on Windows XP because that's the company's best current version.

Lennard also would not say how much the campaign will cost Redmond-based Microsoft, although he characterized the 15-month, international effort as one of the largest in the corporation's history.

Microsoft spent $200 million on a four-month marketing campaign when Windows XP was launched.

The campaign will focus on specialized tasks consumers can do with Windows, like making music or learning about astronomy. These aren't new functions to Windows, but Lennard said people may not know about them - a complaint critics have echoed.

Microsoft's Windows operating system enjoys incredible dominance on the world's computers. Research firm IDC estimates that 94.4 percent of new computer operating systems sold in 2003 were Windows products.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: bscampaign; damagecontrol; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; windows
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Why now?

Do you suppose it has anything at all to do with the April 29th roll-out of OSX.4 Tiger?

1 posted on 04/17/2005 11:29:31 PM PDT by Swordmaker
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To: Swordmaker

New Slogan: "Microsoft Windows: You're pretty much stuck with it."


2 posted on 04/17/2005 11:31:20 PM PDT by flashbunny
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To: Bush2000; antiRepublicrat; Action-America; eno_; N3WBI3; zeugma; TechJunkYard; ShorelineMike; ...
Could this be "The Empire Strikes Back"??? - Microsoft introduces major Windows Ad campaign... PING!

Why now? Could it be the immenent roll-out of OSX.4 Tiger?

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

3 posted on 04/17/2005 11:33:01 PM PDT by Swordmaker
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To: flashbunny
New Slogan: "Microsoft Windows: You're pretty much stuck with it."

It could be that marketing polls show that less than 25% of Windows users have upgraded to XP...

4 posted on 04/17/2005 11:34:33 PM PDT by Swordmaker
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To: Swordmaker

I bought a version of XP professional (full install) because I needed it for one application. Just one. I kept my Windows ME on another HD and used a swapping rack for the two.

Guess what? After years of using and tweaking windows ME, it doesn't crash any more than a few times a month.

XP has developed strange errors that I can't find the answer to. It has been buggy and it doesn't work with some of the hardware I use. If I had known how much of a PITA XP was going to be, I would have bought a different application that didn't require that I use XP.

And if I could get all the Apps I need to run on Linux, I'd never use windows again.


5 posted on 04/17/2005 11:39:36 PM PDT by flashbunny
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To: Swordmaker

I could imagine it partly has to do with the release of Windows XP-64, which I do plan on picking up


6 posted on 04/17/2005 11:50:32 PM PDT by Crazieman (UESR: Union of European Socialist Republics)
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To: Crazieman

What's XP-64? I'm going to have to get two computers for my office and I'm trying to gather all the info I possibly can before I call Dell and order. And what's this about XP not working with all the software out there? This is getting more confusing every day.


7 posted on 04/18/2005 12:05:04 AM PDT by Auntie Mame ("Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you are right." Henry Ford)
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To: Auntie Mame

XP-64 is 64 bit windows, for the new Intel and the already existing AMD Athlon 64 chips.

If you have no idea what it is, I wouldn't rush out and buy it, but it will become necessary within a year or two.

Basically what is going on is the transition from 32 to 64 bit, in the same manner of Windows 95 in 1995. Then it was 16 to 32 bit.


8 posted on 04/18/2005 12:08:31 AM PDT by Crazieman (UESR: Union of European Socialist Republics)
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To: Crazieman

My son-in-law has it, and loves it.


9 posted on 04/18/2005 12:17:47 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ( .:: Johannes Paulus Magnus: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" ::.)
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To: Crazieman

Oh, I see, thanks. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it but as you suggested, probably best not to race to get there.


10 posted on 04/18/2005 12:23:50 AM PDT by Auntie Mame ("Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you are right." Henry Ford)
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To: flashbunny
After years of using and tweaking windows ME, it doesn't crash any more than a few times a month.

After no tweaking, XP doesn't crash....ever.

11 posted on 04/18/2005 3:20:39 AM PDT by Keeper of the Turf (Fore!!!)
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To: Crazieman
...but it will become necessary within a year or two.

No it won't.

12 posted on 04/18/2005 5:35:28 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Swordmaker
How does an American get the cheap version?

Microsoft releases low-cost Windows XP Starter Edition in Brazil

April 13, 2005

Microsoft has announced a low-cost Windows XP Starter Edition is to be launched in Brazil.

Windows XP Starter Edition has been previously released in several other countries in Asia; such as Russia. These editions are sold only as a low-cost OEM bundle, and Windows XP Starter Edition. The edition is quite similar to Windows XP Home but with some restrictions: only three applications may be run concurrently, 800×600 is the maximum display resolution and home networking is disabled.

Brazil has been increasingly adopting open source software for IT projects, rather than using Microsoft products. The country recently launched the PC Connectado initiative, which aims to greatly increase the use of computers in homes, schools and businesses by making them as much as 50% cheaper. An important cost-saving measure is the exclusive use of open source software. No Microsoft software is being used.

13 posted on 04/18/2005 7:44:35 AM PDT by Milhous (a possible South Park conservative)
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To: ShadowAce

Look, computer geek as much as the next guy, but you have to face reality.

Linux has been around for years and will never be more than a niche market, kind of like Apple.

No matter how much scream its name.


14 posted on 04/18/2005 8:31:07 AM PDT by Crazieman (UESR: Union of European Socialist Republics)
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To: Crazieman

No matter how much you* scream its name.

(woke up)


15 posted on 04/18/2005 8:45:13 AM PDT by Crazieman (UESR: Union of European Socialist Republics)
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To: Crazieman

That wasn't my point. There will be plenty of apps/users/markets for 32-bit windows well past the time frame you gave. People are still using 98, ME and W2K well after MS's XP launch over 4 years ago.


16 posted on 04/18/2005 9:08:50 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Swordmaker

I think you're onto something. BTW, I'm stealin' (adapting) your FReepmail link, 'scool.


17 posted on 04/18/2005 9:18:06 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (FR profiled updated Monday, April 11, 2005. Fewer graphics, faster loading.)
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To: Keeper of the Turf

Goood for you, but my XP is pretty much unusable as it is.


18 posted on 04/18/2005 9:18:13 AM PDT by flashbunny
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To: flashbunny

Then you are doing something terribly wrong. Or else you have a computer that is well past it's prime.


19 posted on 04/18/2005 9:36:42 AM PDT by Keeper of the Turf (Fore!!!)
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To: Keeper of the Turf

Nope. Neither is true. Very little software loaded at all.


20 posted on 04/18/2005 9:39:20 AM PDT by flashbunny
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