Those Quirky Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld Commercials
Monday September 15, 2008
Microsoft has released another one of its commercials featuring the who-would-have-thunk-it duo of Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The latest ad, called "New Family," is basically a 4 minute, 30-second movie that puts the two in the home of an everyday family because, as Seinfeld says, "we need to connect with real people."
More About the Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft Commercials Campaign:
Gates even reads one of the boys a bedtime story. When the little boy asks if there are monsters, Gates replies, "Yes, but it's okay. There's a firewall."
At almost 4 minutes exactly into the movie, Seinfeld brings up how Gates has "connected over a billion people" and talks turn to Microsoft briefly. The campaign's goal is to change the company's image.
The first ad of the campaign debuted September 4 during NBC's broadcast of the Giants and Redskins game. Microsoft's own Email to company employees said the first phase of the campaign was "designed to engage consumers and spark a new conversation." That it certainly did because blog buzz showed a lot of confusion over the ad.
But the Shoe Circus ad has been ranked number one on many viral marketing sites through tracking tools. "New family" is already getting a lot of attention across the Internet and has gone viral as well.
The campaign is advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky's first for Microsoft. The agency's other big name clients include Coke Zero, Burger King, Domino's, Geek Squad, Sprite and Volkswagen.
Microsoft is spending $300 million on the ad campaign. Jerry Seinfeld's take from the co-starring in the ads is roughly $10 million.
Not everyone is loving Microsoft's new approach, though. Even after this second commercial, some companies like CNET.com are writing about how awful this campaign is while others like the Los Angeles Times, who slammed the first ad, are now warming up to the campaign after seeing the second installment.
What do you think of this campaign? Share your opinion on the ads.
- Update:
Microsoft Dumps Jerry Seinfeld from Ads - What Do You Think of This Ad Campaign:
Share Your Opinion - Gates and Seinfeld Debut Ad:
Shopping at the Shoe Circus - New Family Commercial:
Gates and Seinfeld in Second Ad - Lee Iacocca and Snoop Dogg:
The Car Version of Odd Commercial Duos
More About the Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft Commercials Campaign:
Gates even reads one of the boys a bedtime story. When the little boy asks if there are monsters, Gates replies, "Yes, but it's okay. There's a firewall."
At almost 4 minutes exactly into the movie, Seinfeld brings up how Gates has "connected over a billion people" and talks turn to Microsoft briefly. The campaign's goal is to change the company's image.
The first ad of the campaign debuted September 4 during NBC's broadcast of the Giants and Redskins game. Microsoft's own Email to company employees said the first phase of the campaign was "designed to engage consumers and spark a new conversation." That it certainly did because blog buzz showed a lot of confusion over the ad.
But the Shoe Circus ad has been ranked number one on many viral marketing sites through tracking tools. "New family" is already getting a lot of attention across the Internet and has gone viral as well.
The campaign is advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky's first for Microsoft. The agency's other big name clients include Coke Zero, Burger King, Domino's, Geek Squad, Sprite and Volkswagen.
Microsoft is spending $300 million on the ad campaign. Jerry Seinfeld's take from the co-starring in the ads is roughly $10 million.
Not everyone is loving Microsoft's new approach, though. Even after this second commercial, some companies like CNET.com are writing about how awful this campaign is while others like the Los Angeles Times, who slammed the first ad, are now warming up to the campaign after seeing the second installment.
What do you think of this campaign? Share your opinion on the ads.