Microsoft Vandalizes NYC

Brooklyn Bob writes "The New York Times (free registration etc.) is reporting that New York Tells Microsoft to Get Its Butterfly Decals Out of Town. Sure, it's "corporate graffiti", but the butterfly looks pretty good on the subway entrance." The story only covers a small part of their efforts to promote MSN, the "Microsoft operating system required" internet service. The first submission we got about the campaign described another part of it: Latent IT writes "I wish I had a link to submit with this, but strange things are afoot in New York City. At 61st and Broadway, 30-40 guys and gals in butterfly suits colored in the Microsoft colors, and carrying MSN banners just rollerbladed by, screaming at the top of their lungs down the middle of Broadway. Interestingly enough, this took them right near the under construction AOL Time Warner building. It seemed worth jotting down, but they were literally gone and down the street before I could reach my digital camera. (Place all bug on windshield jokes here.)"

Comments

Re:And yet it's ok for IBM and Linux?

[sczimme]

No, it was not okay for IBM. Here is an article that explains why:

IBM caught tagging San Fran streets with Linux ads

No Registration Link

[brunes69]

Why these people dont post the no registration required links provided by Google news I don't know

Re:You think they would've learned

[gimpboy]

actually it was spraychalked.. they have this chalk that comes in a can with a propelant similar to that found in spraypaint.

Here's a Link

[Compulawyer]

From the Washinton Post - an article that discusses M$'s new marketing blitz for MSN.

Can anyone imagine that there is still a market for people who need their hands held as they walk along the Information Superhighway? Nonetheless, I have GOT to get a clip of Billy G. in the reported "Butterfly Suit."

Re:You think they would've learned

[Chromonkey]

Um, no. The IBM/Linux pieces were neither 'spraychalked' nor 'bio-degradeable'. Over a YEAR later, they are still visibile. This is after thousands of people walking over them, rains, sidewalk washings and even IBM paying a private company to try to remove them. They were eventually fined by the City but it doesn't make them go away.

These stickers and such are nothing compared to the IBM/Linux spray ads.

Re:photos?

[Kredal]

Butterflies in Seattle