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Seinfeld and Microsoft: Yadda, yadda, yadda

People are having lots of fun with the news that Jerry Seinfeld will star in Microsoft's new Windows campaign. First of all, the story is a headline writer's dream. The news is only a few hours old, but already it seems every Seinfeld catch phrase has been put to use. A sampling:

TUAW: What's the deal with Seinfeld doing ads for Microsoft?
ITBusinessEdge: Get Out! Microsoft Enlists Seinfeld as Vista Pitchman
Minyanville.com: Seinfeld Master of Microsoft's Domain
CNBC: Vista & Seinfeld: Not That There's Anything Wrong with That

A Mac on the Seinfeld set. (Via YouTube)

Give credit to entertainment news site E! Online for going the other way -- with a computer pun: Jerry Seinfeld: Microsoft's Screen Savior?

Keep in mind that we haven't actually seen the ads yet. The WSJ report says they're slated to debut Sept. 4. But already the idea is being panned. For example, Seth Weintraub has this post on his Computerworld Apple Ink blog: Ten reasons why the Seinfeld-Microsoft partnership doesn't work.

In the meantime, people have been digging up old screen shots of Seinfeld's television apartment, which often featured a Mac on the desk in the back corner. (See my find above.) Maybe the ad agency behind the campaign, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, will position the comedian as a Windows convert. Or perhaps they'll just avoid the issue.

After making some phone calls this morning, I can offer a couple important clarifications about the ads: One person familiar with the campaign says it's not specifically about Windows Vista. Instead, it's a broad campaign intended to benefit the Windows brand generally -- including other Windows-branded products, such as Windows Live and Windows Mobile. Also, it's a long-term initiative that will expand well beyond television ads to include other areas where people interact with the Windows brand.

For whatever it's worth, the person says Chris Rock wasn't offered the job as pitchman, despite the report to that effect. Also, as noted previously, "Windows, Not Walls" isn't exactly the phrase that will be used as the slogan, but it isn't clear what it will be.

Maybe they could go with, "Windows: It's real, and it's spectacular."

Posted by at August 21, 2008 12:44 p.m.
Categories: Bill Gates, Windows, Windows Vista at 1 Year

Comments

#168302

Posted by Carlos Hawes at 8/21/08 1:26 p.m.

Perfect Fit!!!

A 1990's celebrity for a 1990's Operating System. Looks like they have hit the nail on the head for this one. Maybe they can get Hootie and the Blowfish to do the music :)

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#168450

Posted by unregistered user at 8/21/08 5:28 p.m.

There's plenty of good Seattle Talent that could have fit the bill.

For example, Rainn Wilson, originally from Woodinville, plays Dwight Schrute on "The Office" would have been a the perfect person on so many levels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msNbP5QW02U

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#168611

Posted by inspired1985 at 8/22/08 1:34 a.m.

http://inspired1985.wordpress.com/

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#168909

Posted by unregistered user at 8/22/08 2:16 p.m.

Microsoft could get God to do the ads and it won't change anything. Vista sucks. Vista is a resource pig. Vista breaks apps.

And business is not ready for any extensive use of cloud computing yet, there simply is not enough bandwidth, heck already many providers are trying ways to conserve existing bandwidth.

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#169307

Posted by David Gerard at 8/23/08 3:55 p.m.

There's an obvious comedian Microsoft should have used ... http://notnews.today.com/2008/08/21/30/

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#169569

Posted by boydman at 8/24/08 8:48 p.m.

Hootie and the Blowfish. Almost forgot about them. See, I'd choose Milli Vanilli for Apple...looks great, no substance. And don't tell me Apple is all about originality. Not very original to build your brand new operating system on FreeBSD. Makes you wonder how fantastic the Mac operating system was before, that they needed to borrow *nix to rebuild it. No, the Mac is all about image. Apple sells products that make you feel good about yourself, and nothing more.

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#177117

Posted by unregistered user at 9/8/08 3:15 p.m.

Hey boydman, what about Boeing and AirBus building their "supposedly" new jets based on someone else's original idea for the airplane.....Orville and Wilbur Wright....how lame is that?

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#181150

Posted by unregistered user at 9/15/08 12:05 a.m.

I wrote a tongue in cheek article on my blog about two weeks ago listing my top ten reasons why Jerry Seinfeld should not be punting Windows Vista.
Here are some highlights:

* The campaign is badly positioned. Jerry is 54 years old. He is basically only representing 7% of the global computer users.

* Making me laugh at witty quips is not going to sway any business decision I make, regarding the future direction of my IT department for the next 3-5 years. Also his jokes and good humor will not cover the ever escalating license costs from Microsoft.

Here is the link:
http://bossmanthe.blogspot.com/2008/08/10-reasons-why-jerry-seinfeld-should.html

Here is my comments on the first advert.
http://bossmanthe.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-microsoft-advert-featuring-jerry.html

Enjoy the laughs!

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