Seinfeld and Gates move in with 'average family' in latest Microsoft ad

by Staff, Brand Republic 12-Sep-08, 15:30

NEW YORK - The second instalment of Microsoft's new television ad campaign, starring Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld, aired on US TV last night and sees the unlikely pair moving in with a family in an attempt to connect with real people.

The spot, created by Miami agency Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, is similar in style to a sitcom with Gates and Seinfeld attempting to interact with the family, which includes an eccentric granny.

It ends with Seinfeld asking Gates to give him a sign if he knows how the computer industry will evolve, which he does in the form of a robot dance.

The ad has had a better reception on the internet than the first ad in the series, which showed Gates and Seinfeld trying on shoes in a discount shop.

One YouTube user commented: "I actually really like it, much better than the first one. I'm a Mac user and I still like it, it's funny at least."

While another said: "Definitely a step up from the first commercial, and a lot more entertaining. I think the message was much clearer this time as well."

However, the ad has not impressed everyone as a user called warpicachu said: "This is the second worst commercial ever!" They were backed up by Kwipper who posted: "WTF is the point with these videos?"

The $300m (£170m) ad campaign is designed to counter Apple's "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" campaign, which features a geeky PC guy unable to keep up with the "hip Mac user".

The ads were remade for the UK with comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb.

Comments

Red Brown - 12/09/2008

These are great. A truly fresh and original approach. They won't change people's opinions overnight, but you can bet that over time they will. Crispin's does it again.

Ricky Harewood - 14/09/2008

Nice....

Lachlan James - 15/09/2008

I am really trying to like these ads however I find the concept of Bill Gates acting 'common' unpalatable and insulting. What's the insight here? What are they really trying to achieve? I just can't help but think that when Vista is still getting panned by issues which have apparently been now solved, Microsoft should have chosen a more rational route and put minds at ease before a bigger idea campaign like this.