Microsoft’s ‘I’m a PC’ Ads Created On Macs

roughlydrafted.com ^ | September 19, 2008 | Daniel Eran Dilger

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

After dumping its $10 million contract with Jerry Seinfeld after just three ads (only two of which even aired) Microsoft has created new ad copy where regular people and a few celebrities say, “I’m a PC!” One problem with the campaign’s credibility: the ad work was created using Macs.

Flickr user LuisDS found that metadata on the creative copy of the “stereotyped PC user” and other photos appearing on Microsoft’s “I’m a PC” website revealed that they were produced using Macs running Adobe Creative Suite 3. One might expect that Microsoft would use Windows PCs running its own Microsoft Expression Studio software, which as the company advertises, “takes your creative possibilities to a new level.”

Apparently, neither Windows PCs nor Expression Studio are up to the task of taking on Apple and destroying its globe enshrouding “Get a Mac” campaign. The image of John Hodgman as a troubled PC struggling with Vista-related problems has pushed Microsoft to defend itself with a $300 million campaign to take control of the “conversation about Windows,” using Macs as needed to get the message produced.

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[Fichori]

Is that ironic or what.

[sinanju]

I only saw one of the two ads with and I thought it was pathetic. Bill Gates ass-wiggle?

I do think Jerry Seinfeld is being unfairly dumped on, however.

They would have done better to let HIM write and direct the damn ads.

[Andy from Beaverton]

Best take off of any “I’m a Mac” ads. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x7PhJp3ciRQ

[NoRedTape]

Macs are good machines. But Windows is run on approx 94% of the World's computers. Mac has lost the game. But...hey...Mac's are good and stable machines.

I wouldn't use a Mac if you paid me. Just the way it is.

[TrevorSnowsrap]

Are these ads, some which feature Bill Gates himself, a sign that Microsoft is in full meltdown? Perhaps this is just another misstep in a series of many but it shows either an organizationsl disconnect or problems with the judgement of its leaders.

Vista DOA, Windows 7, Mojave, and on and on. Truely bizarre.

[HAL9000]

But Windows is run on approx 94% of the World's computers.

Macs can run Windows too, in addition to all of the Mac OS X applications, so Windows has no technical advantage over Macs.

Mac has lost the game.

The game ain't over yet. It may go on for decades, or until some new technologies emerge that make humans obsolete.

For the foreseeable future, there is plenty of room for Apple and Linux to grow, especially if Microsoft keeps screwing up. Apple is managing their growth carefully and delivering superior quality products. They have a good strategy for long-term growth. Their biggest challenge is convincing Wall Street that the company will continue to innovate after Steve Jobs leaves the CEO position.

[Uriah_lost]

Could you girls go have your slap fight over on one of the kitty cat threads with your own kind, instead of starting a new thread like this everytime.

[MarkL]

While watching the Microsoft "shoe store" ad, I couldn't help but wonder if Microsoft had decided that they wanted to get out of the computer industry, and hired Novell's old marketing department...

Mark