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Mainstream Press "Cringes" At Win7 Launch Parties
lurking_giant writes "Well, Microsoft has done it again with the YouTube Windows 7 launch party video that is turning the stomachs of even the mainstream press with its clueless and campy marketing style. A Washington Post reader was quoted as saying 'If Microsoft had been put in charge of marketing sex, the human race would have ended long ago, because no one would be caught dead doing something that uncool.'" Even the Guardian's resident die-hard Apple hater calls it "the most nauseating advert in history."
Wow...it took them over 3hrs to film that short 6 minute PSA. Not only was it horrible, but the actors involved didn't even believe what they were pitching.
I'm actually hosting one of these, but we're also going to be doing comparison demos of Ubuntu and Snow Leopard. In addition to the Windows 7 junk that comes in the party kit (including a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate), I will be giving out LiveCDs and and discs of free software.
I think Windows 7 is a marked improvement over XP (I have been using it fulltime since the beta), but friends help friends find what's best for their situation. I have die hard Windows/Mac/Linux friends, so doing it this way is a chance for everyone to explore something new--even if I have to make an excuse like a Windows 7 party to do it.
We're all hypocrites. We all have hidden parts, it's the contrast between them that make us more a hypocrite than others
It got attention. Isn't that the point of marketing?
Not entirely. Take the Taco Bell Dog as an example. From Snopes:
In July 2000 fast food giant Taco Bell (a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc.) did the ostensibly unthinkable: it abruptly ended what appeared to be a highly successful ad campaign that had worked to establish this memorable brand identity. Seemingly out of the blue, the corporation announced it would no longer feature the wise-cracking Chihuahua in its ads. Though the Taco Bell dog might make cameo appearances in subsequent commercials, he was being retired as company spokespooch.
The reason behind the move was simple enough: the dog, though beloved of consumers, wasn't working magic on the company's bottom line. Though Taco Bell had succeeded in creating a cultural icon, the resultant symbol wasn't inspiring a great enough segment of the fast food-buying public to make a run for the border. Same-store sales were down 6 percent in the second quarter of 2000, a result the company could only regard as alarming and a certain sign that changes had to be made.
So while Microsoft's marketing may bring smiles to churro vendors everywhere, it doesn't mean the attention is really getting anything for Microsoft.
In reality, there was a lot of fanfare with Windows 95 and 98. ME broke a bubble but Windows 2000, where DOS was finally dealt a death as an underpinning, was a comparatively big deal. There was fanboyism that in turn, gave Microsoft a lift into data centers where they'd never been allowed before. The rest of history is as we know it.
So yeah-- they had and even may have fanboys. Linux once really sucked, despite its philosophical underpinnings. Apple's MacOS wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, either. Things change.
---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
Not even. Essentially what they are doing is kickstarting a quality viral campaign. Snigger all you want at the ad, that's what they want you do do. They produce ads that are so embarrassing that the message is really clear: "oh, did you see the lame ad, these guys should stick to doing what they do best, which is programming. Win 7 is actually quite good you know."
The implied contrast is: "Apple is all about good marketing."
Let's face it: we geeks all do the same thing. When you show up with your dirty beard, beer gut, suspenders, blackened coffee mug, you are telling the world "everyone values my competence so much that I don't need to sell myself via superficial means."
Same with Zunes and squirting and all that.
OMG no. You get balloons, a deck of cards, napkins (napkins?!) and free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. You're suppose to install it on your computer and become familiar with and demo it, but since I've had a copy since the RTM was released last month, I'm just going to raffle it off.
Most of this crap isn't even going up, but here's the full list of junk:
-One limited Signature Edition Windows® 7 Ultimate
-One Deck of Playing Cards with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
-One Puzzle with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
-One Poster with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
-Ten Tote Bags with Windows® 7 Desktop Design for hosts and guests
-One table top centerpiece for decoration
-One package of Windows® 7 napkins
Also included in USA party packs:
-One package of streamers for decoration
-One package of balloons for decoration
Looks like the rest of the world gets the shaft, what with no balloons or streamers...
We're all hypocrites. We all have hidden parts, it's the contrast between them that make us more a hypocrite than others