Posted on 09/24/2009 12:01:59 PM PDT by Swordmaker
Microsoft is promoting the release of Windows 7 by encouraging users to throw Tupperware-like house parties in celebration of the launch.
The new campaign encourages participants to print out Windows 7 advertising banners for their home along with "host notes" outlining how to talk about Windows 7 in glowing terms. There's even a question and answer pamphlet, of which the official launch party web site recommends, "download and print this fun activity to keep the party going!"
With the new security features in Windows 7, it's unlikely the parties will get too carried away. Interestingly, the quiz pamphlet has nothing to do with Windows 7; it's all trivia about Microsoft. One question asks, "Most of Microsoft employees are 29 years of age or younger…. FALSE. 16.8% are 29 or under, 45.0% are 30-39, and 38.2% are 40 and over."
For users still unsure about how to host their friends over for an ad pitch, Microsoft has developed a series of videos that portray a wide demographic of people all demonstrating how to excitedly talk about Microsoft's new software features.
In one spot, four model party hosts explain what users need to do to prepare to host a successful party "with Windows 7 as an honored guest." First, they recommend that users need to install Windows 7 and play with it before hosting their party, calling customer service for support if necessary.
After that, launch party hosts can pick from a variety of fun, Windows 7 related activities created for their home launch event by Microsoft. Each activity has a video demonstration to follow in order to ensure a successful party.
Windows 7 Party... Winner
Microsoft sponsored a contest to sign up a "very limited" number of official launch party hosts, each of whom will receive a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate signed by Bill Gates, along with an undisclosed "Windows 7 Party Pack."
This week, the company announced a list of "finalists" for potential parties. "Receiving the finalist email doesn't mean you've been accepted to host just yet. You will need to be among the first to respond via a link within your email to be confirmed as a host," wrote Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc in a blog posting on the party organizer site. "This extra step is needed due to the amazing response we've had from people interested in hosting a local Launch Party."
Despite the limited number of official party organizers that Microsoft will ultimately award with free software, LeBlanc assured everyone else, "you can still hold a Windows 7 gathering of your own."
Party on a budget
This spring, Microsoft launched a similar home party effort to sell its Xbox 360 gaming console to women. It awarded about a thousand women across the country a $150 "Xbox Party Pack" that included "microwaveable popcorn, the Xbox trivia game 'Scene It? Box Office Smash,' an Xbox universal media remote control, a three-month subscription to Xbox Live, and 1,600 Xbox Live points (used for game, movie and TV show purchases)," according to a report picked up by Silicon Alley insider.
The low budget party campaigns are a marked departure from the glitzy launch of Windows Vista, which spent millions on advertising but failed to achieve the desired result. The company has since spent $300 million on campaigns that ranged from the Mojave Experiment, which portrayed the problems of Windows Vista as being a big misunderstanding, to a short-lived set of ads that portrayed Bill Gates alongside Jerry Seinfeld, a series of spots reacting to Apple's Get a Mac ads, and most recently ads that present PC buyers explaining that they're not cool enough for an expensive Apple computer.
Microsoft has also ventured into criticism for low budget ads used in promoting its Songsmith title, and a commercial for Internet Explorer 8 that was considered so tasteless and offensive the company had it pulled.
The high point of the party will be a personal appearance by the Blue Screen of Death, who will autograph your new software.
I'm going to hold a party...where we install Linux.
Oops, GNU/Linux...my bad.
Thanks to freeper Uri’el-2012 for the heads up!
As opposed to Apple cult members that hold a religious service everytime Apple upgrades its OS, where they discuss such deep questions as “Will there be Macs in heaven?” and “Was the fruit on the Tree of Knowlege of Good and Evil really an apple or Apple computer?”
I don't care who you are; that was funny!
Windows 7 — The Tupperware of OS’s (tm)
I’ve been using using it for 2 months without a hiccup.
[facepalm] Talk about tone deaf. They want people, FOR FREE, to make themselves look like fools for pitching a commercial product at a party they invited friends to, and like dorks because that product is an OS. I can’t believe people would be stupid enough to think that would work.
Be sure and watch the official “how to throw a Windows 7 party” video before hosting your very own Windows 7 party.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cX4t5-YpHQ
Not to be confused with the official Internet Explorer 8 O.M.G.I.G.P. (”Oh My God I’m Gonna Puke”) video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB9fhjnJcB0
This is too funny! My son is a techie and wanted to do this party for the free software and he heard there will also be 32 laptop winners. I didn’t read that in this write up, but that’s what he stated.
He just informed me two days ago that he was one of the chosen ones and will be hosting a party at home in a couple of weeks. He’s away at college and his dorm room is not large enough. Oh the joys!
Windows 7 party in my pants!
Scratch that, too many bugs.
Can you get Tupperware too?
Face palm yourself again. Women are asked to these parties all the time with Tupperware, lingerie, candles, cosmetics, jewelry, on the same bizarre premise. My policy is to always have a previous engagement when I am invited.
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