Comments on: Why Microsoft is Losing the Ad War http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/ Musings and analysis on marketing, buzz and communications. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:29:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Why Microsoft is Losing the Ad War - FriendFeed http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-67827 Why Microsoft is Losing the Ad War - FriendFeed Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:58:18 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-67827 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Media Conversations room Global Social Media Conversations: an entry from The Buzz Bin Why Microsoft is Losing the Ad War September 24 at 6:25 am - Link ©2008 FriendFeed - About - Blog - Tools - API - Help - [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> Kramer auto Pingback[...] Media Conversations room Global Social Media Conversations: an entry from The Buzz Bin Why Microsoft is Losing the Ad War September 24 at 6:25 am – Link ©2008 FriendFeed – About – Blog – Tools – API – Help – [...]

]]> By: Sarah http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-67399 Sarah Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:51:49 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-67399 Your commerical idea totally ROCKS! Buying electronics these days is like online dating. Good profile and HOT pictures gets quick conversion but by the 3rd date bugs appear and a new iMate is on the market for software update by Q3. At the end of the day sustainablity and ROI matters a lot more. Your commerical idea totally ROCKS! Buying electronics these days is like online dating. Good profile and HOT pictures gets quick conversion but by the 3rd date bugs appear and a new iMate is on the market for software update by Q3. At the end of the day sustainablity and ROI matters a lot more.

]]> By: Creative PR, Microsoft’s branding and Ethical blogging « Oldskoolmark’s Weblog http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63923 Creative PR, Microsoft’s branding and Ethical blogging « Oldskoolmark’s Weblog Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:19:53 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63923 [...] And going through my Google reader tonight, i found this! Why Microsoft is loosing the ad war. [...] [...] And going through my Google reader tonight, i found this! Why Microsoft is loosing the ad war. [...]

]]> By: Greg Hollingsworth http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63260 Greg Hollingsworth Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:38:34 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63260 There are definitely better ways to go about it, and we'll have to wait and see which tack future ads take. There are certainly many things about Windows based PC's that make people prefer them over Mac PC's, cost, expandability, available software, etc... and I would like to see MS cover those in future ads. There are definitely better ways to go about it, and we’ll have to wait and see which tack future ads take. There are certainly many things about Windows based PC’s that make people prefer them over Mac PC’s, cost, expandability, available software, etc… and I would like to see MS cover those in future ads.

]]> By: Paul http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63219 Paul Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:35:28 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63219 Microsoft's problem with these new ads is that they're trying to beat Apple at its own game - the computer as a symbol of personal expression in one, and elegant user interface in the other. 'Me-too' is typically not an effective strategy. What about simply pointing out the heavy premium Mac users pay? Why not point out how white headphones are the hipsters' equivalent of the politican's American flag lapel pin? Why not highlight that there are exponentially more programs built for Windows than for OSX (even if the average consumer only uses 5 of them....) http://www.brandculturetalk.com Microsoft’s problem with these new ads is that they’re trying to beat Apple at its own game – the computer as a symbol of personal expression in one, and elegant user interface in the other. ‘Me-too’ is typically not an effective strategy. What about simply pointing out the heavy premium Mac users pay? Why not point out how white headphones are the hipsters’ equivalent of the politican’s American flag lapel pin? Why not highlight that there are exponentially more programs built for Windows than for OSX (even if the average consumer only uses 5 of them….)
http://www.brandculturetalk.com

]]> By: Ed Bierman http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63199 Ed Bierman Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:11:35 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63199 The Jerry and Bill commercials were just so unfunny -- I don't how any one thought otherwise there at Microsoft or the ad agency. But then a lot of comedies are made that aren't funny but they are still made. I want to see the focus group cards on those that previewed those -- could a focus group people really find it good? I like the I'm a PC series more -- I do think it helps their image but it is hard to take a bit out of Apple. The Jerry and Bill commercials were just so unfunny — I don’t how any one thought otherwise there at Microsoft or the ad agency. But then a lot of comedies are made that aren’t funny but they are still made. I want to see the focus group cards on those that previewed those — could a focus group people really find it good?

I like the I’m a PC series more — I do think it helps their image but it is hard to take a bit out of Apple.

]]> By: Greg Hollingsworth http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63147 Greg Hollingsworth Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:24:38 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63147 Personally, I thought the Mac ads were clever at first, at this point they have become patronizing. John Hodgman as PC has gotten continually more ridiculous as Drew Barrymore's boyfriend has become more and more smug. I am not a mac user, and have never been, but I would certainly never dismiss Apple products (as they are certainly high-quality) and have many friends that use (and love) their Apple products. The biggest problem I have with the Mac/PC commercials is that they are not representative. I love my PC (which is a stupid moniker in that it stands for personal computer, which describes Mac equally well) and you know what, I hate doing spreadsheets, I don't read GUI interface manuals and have never owned a pocket-protector. The Mac/PC Ads have degenerated into embracing the stereotypes that make me dislike mac evangelists. Personally, I like the new MS ads. Personally, I thought the Mac ads were clever at first, at this point they have become patronizing. John Hodgman as PC has gotten continually more ridiculous as Drew Barrymore’s boyfriend has become more and more smug.

I am not a mac user, and have never been, but I would certainly never dismiss Apple products (as they are certainly high-quality) and have many friends that use (and love) their Apple products.

The biggest problem I have with the Mac/PC commercials is that they are not representative. I love my PC (which is a stupid moniker in that it stands for personal computer, which describes Mac equally well) and you know what, I hate doing spreadsheets, I don’t read GUI interface manuals and have never owned a pocket-protector. The Mac/PC Ads have degenerated into embracing the stereotypes that make me dislike mac evangelists.

Personally, I like the new MS ads.

]]> By: Shannon Whitley http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63135 Shannon Whitley Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:40:33 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63135 The new ads work for me, and probably a lot of other people who like PCs, don't need to be sold on them, and are just tired of the Mac Cult of, "I'm cool and you're not." I do hope that Microsoft will lead more in the future, but I think these ads hit home for a lot of PC users who are just regular people and resent the attitudes of the tech elite. The new ads work for me, and probably a lot of other people who like PCs, don’t need to be sold on them, and are just tired of the Mac Cult of, “I’m cool and you’re not.” I do hope that Microsoft will lead more in the future, but I think these ads hit home for a lot of PC users who are just regular people and resent the attitudes of the tech elite.

]]> By: Craig http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63131 Craig Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:55:24 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63131 I agree with a lot of your points Larissa but not all of them. Microsoft does have their brand identity in that they are reliable and standard, almost the way you can compare Ohio St to USC (sorry if the college football reference is confusing). But work in different ways and Microsoft doesn't have to be considered "cool" to be successful. With their software running on so many different computers and brands, they simply are making more than enough money to warrant them to be proactive in the way Apple does. I know Apple was cool with the AirMac, but from what I've read it's terrible. I personally liked the Seinfeld/Gates ads and thought they were quirky enough to watch a few times. To be honest those Mac adds have been irritating me more and more. Either way, bad publicity or not, bottom line is there was a lot of talk about Microsoft's commercials which is what they want overall. I don't think they should address weaknesses in commercials, they should do that online and in improving their products. By the way I love Apple and am a Mac owner. I think Microsoft utilizing a potential Microsoft store will help out a lot because personal service can't be beat. I just don't think that Microsoft has to copy everything Apple does for them to be successful. Craig www.budgetpulse.com I agree with a lot of your points Larissa but not all of them. Microsoft does have their brand identity in that they are reliable and standard, almost the way you can compare Ohio St to USC (sorry if the college football reference is confusing). But work in different ways and Microsoft doesn’t have to be considered “cool” to be successful. With their software running on so many different computers and brands, they simply are making more than enough money to warrant them to be proactive in the way Apple does. I know Apple was cool with the AirMac, but from what I’ve read it’s terrible.

I personally liked the Seinfeld/Gates ads and thought they were quirky enough to watch a few times. To be honest those Mac adds have been irritating me more and more. Either way, bad publicity or not, bottom line is there was a lot of talk about Microsoft’s commercials which is what they want overall. I don’t think they should address weaknesses in commercials, they should do that online and in improving their products.

By the way I love Apple and am a Mac owner. I think Microsoft utilizing a potential Microsoft store will help out a lot because personal service can’t be beat. I just don’t think that Microsoft has to copy everything Apple does for them to be successful.

Craig
http://www.budgetpulse.com

]]> By: SocialButterfly http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/comment-page-1/#comment-63130 SocialButterfly Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:45:41 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2008/09/24/why-microsoft-is-losin-the-ad-war/#comment-63130 ooo, I like the ad that you proposed with the two dates! Jeremiah Owyang also recently blogged about how Microsoft could win the PC/Mac battle here with some more interesting comments and ideas: http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/09/19/how-microsoft-can-win-the-pcmac-campaign/ ooo, I like the ad that you proposed with the two dates! Jeremiah Owyang also recently blogged about how Microsoft could win the PC/Mac battle here with some more interesting comments and ideas: http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/09/19/how-microsoft-can-win-the-pcmac-campaign/

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