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 $10 million.
Not everyone is loving Microsoft's new approach, though. Even after this second commercial, some companies like CNET.com are writing about how awful this campaign is while others like the Los Angeles Times, who slammed the first ad, are now warming up to the campaign after seeing the second installment.
What do you think of this campaign? Share your opinion on the ads.
Comments
Clueless - just like the decision to launch Vista. M$ is clueless. They should fire their advertising agency.
I’ve seen ‘em both and love them. The quirky humor is great (Seinfeldian) and the ads are humanizing (Gates buying his own shoes, sanding a door!?). These ads ARE starting a national conversation about the company and its founder; which can’t hurt Microsoft…or The Gates Foundation.
These ads are GREAT. OK, they take some actual thought and attention to comprehend so that alone may make them over the heads of the average television audience, but they are funny.
Putting 2 American icons with a “normal” family to learn about the common people is a GREAT premise. If this were a 23 minute Seinfeld episode people would be rolling on the floor laughing.
Also, the fact that Gates and Seinfeld are able to poke fun at themselves a little (acknowledging they are elite and out of touch) makes these ads classic.
In my opinion, so far they have to be the most ill conceived comercials ever made…the rapport between gates and seinfeld,is not at all genuine or funny in any sense. The premise is weak, the delivery even weaker. Dont buy into the fact that these are “smart” comercials,ala seinfelds popular sitcom, they are not. Seinfelds comedy was about “nothing” in a something way, these comercials are about something, in a nothing way.
D-U-M-B, DUMB!
A waste of time and money. Not to mention 4 minutes of my life I wish I had not spent watching this ad. Next time the channel will be changed, or FastForward.
they are awful. also, how are they moving forward and changing people’s perceptions of M$ when they two guys out of retirement ‘to connect with the people’? I doubt very much that today’s teens who are in to ipods, iphones and ibooks care about or even know who Jerry is and Steve Jobs is perceived as way cooler than Bill.
this campaign is like vista-much better on a white board vs. actual usability.
Excellent commercials…lighten up people…
I thought that after my Microsoft Xbox had to be recalled for the 8th time (that’s a real number) I couldn’t hate the company more… until I started watching these commercials. They are so dumb they make me angry… and I’m a pretty witty guy so I know I’m not missing anything. And shame on Seinfeld for going along with this. Horrible.
I had no idea what the ad was even for,worst ad ever
This is Microsoft’s last attempt at connecting with people? Wasn’t that the release of Windows 3.1. Are you kidding? They should have poured that ad and marketing money into something else, such as more charities.
Oh, and the whole Mojave/Vista thing - something will always work in some sort of a clean and controlled environment. Sell an off the shelf PC box and you won’t get that kind of reaction!
Gates and Seinfeld - two has beens - its time to move on and let go of the past.
I’m glad you asked! They are InSulting!!! Terrible, Terrible! ads
I applaud these commercials although I do not understand why Billg would want to appear in his own adverts for his company. Is he paid a similar sum of money or more as Jerrys so that he can increase his donation to his Foundation or to rescue Lehman Bros or RBS across the Atlantic?
Jokes aside; these latest commercials by Microsoft are actually thought-provoking and got everyone talking,ya?!
They are at least less tacky than the Getamac commercials featuring Mr PC and Mac. Totally dislike a competitor promoting oneself at the expense of another. One can never win converts to one’s religion if one only criticises the other religions.
The ads, while cute, do little to produce excitement about the Microsoft brand. I’m reminded of some of the Super Bowl ads that came out prior to the dot.com bubble bursting. They were nice but didn’t create a connection with customers. And if you’re going to do a spot about a family, how about showing someone struggling to install a driver that they need for Vista.
Now, if only Vandelay Industries would hire Jerry to promote their latex products…THAT partnership would rock! “And you want to buy MY latex products.”
go buy a mac
i bet gates and seinfield both one at least one
thanks for wasting 300mil on nothing. its like the auto companies ads to make you feel good about something you already bought. here’s an idea, DROP THE PRICE OF YOUR CRAPPY SOFTWARE AND INCLUDE ALL FEATURES IN ONE PACKAGE. or go to the apple store and get a leopard, i hear you can install it on pc. check this out: http://dailyapps.net/2007/12/hack-attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-just-one-step/
The ads are stupid. Is it just me or does Seinfeld look like his jowls are stuffed with peanut butter when he’s talking. There’s a weird chewing thing going on! lol
DUMB! POINTLESS! NOT FUNNY! GetAMac ads, despite stretching the truth, are hilarious (coming from someone who worked on Vista & is proud of it)
Not funny, Gates is an absolute Goofball to the 100th degree! Hard to believe this moron is the wealthiest human on the planet. Seinfeld isn’t that funny. Microsoft products are unreliable, slow, and expensive. I should know, I have to work with the garbage 8 hours a day!
Wow these commercials suck. Did anyone put any thought into this $300 million ad campaign?! I love how all the Seinfeld fans think this “humor” is over some peoples head. That’s not it at all. It’s just not funny or clever. What a waste.
I don’t think these commercials were for the general public. I think they were for industry insiders. I also think they are funny as hell. I am still LMAO.
Love the ads. If the idea was to create buzz, it worked. Was it worth $300 million? Only if they sell (several) boat loads of software, and the GP stops thinking of Microsoft as Borg (”You will be assimilated.” I’ll be watching to see how it plays out.