I just don’t understand what’s going these days with the Microsoft marketing team. Their latest ad “I’m a PC” is looking desperate. Let’s face it, Apple played the Cool Mac user card very well. Their ads Mac vs. PC went over really well and have made a definite impact. Now, Microsoft has decided to play the “We’re cool too” game. It doesn’t make sense. Instead of saying we’re not Mac, we’re better, we’re different, we’re unique, you want to be a Windows user, they’re going out their way to say “We’re just like a Mac, we’re cool too”.
It’s playing catch up and it’s getting annoying. I mean really, Apple users thought Apple was cool before the Mac ads played. The ads reinforced their own beliefs and those of PC users. Windows was never seen as cool, or dare I say the maverick word. No matter how loud they scream “We’re cool”, people still see them as the mainstream, the norm, the establishment. Why not embrace what they are and talk about that? We’re the best, we’re here and we’re great. I don’t get it. Sorry for the rant today, but I saw the ad yesterday and it just hit me as odd.
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2 Responses
October 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Not sure if you saw the ad(s) in its entirety but i think you misunderstood the idea behind those commercials. They are trying to say “I’m a PC and i’m being stereotyped.” which is not saying “don’t stereotype me as uncool. i’m cool too”.
In fact one of the black girls with an English accent standing against a white board says “I’m a PC and I’m not what you call “hip”.”
My understanding is that they are trying to tell people that using a PC doesn’t make you uncool as is being projected by Apple. People ranging from rocket scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers, endangered-species-rescuers (just made that up), MCs, to kids in africa use PCs and they are not ashamed of it.
In other words, if you are using a PC, you don’t have to be wearing a suit like Apple’s commercials portray. You don’t have to be ashamed of using a PC.
I think i like these new brand of commercials better than the Seinfeld ones. They are right on the money.
October 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I get it. I just don’t know why Microsoft has decided to “respond” to Apple’s uncool portrayal of PC users. Instead of trying to argue the point, they should come up with something unique about themselves that makes people WANT to be part of the PC/Microsoft tribe just like people WANT to be part of the Apple tribe. Just whining and saying “Hey, we’re being stereotyped” doesn’t make me want to join the PC tribe. They’re whiners, and who wants to join that?
When you think about PC/Microsoft versus Apple, which one do you think has a real tribe? Which one has devout users and evangelists? I’d cast my vote for Apple. BTW: I’m both a Mac and PC user, so don’t assume I’m an Apple fanboy.
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