Geek World Rants, Raves Over Microsoft Ad

Some find Seinfeld/ Gates routine unfunny; others, 'hilarious'

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 5, 2008 7:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – A new Microsoft ad is sparking praise and putdowns in roughly equal measure around the Web today. Paul McDougall calls the spot "outdated and not very funny" in InformationWeek, but says it's revealing—of a tech company totally out of touch with Generation Y. The choice of “has-been” Jerry Seinfeld proves that Microsoft is “dominated by middle-aged white guys who made their own millions more than a decade ago."

In Wired, Meghan Keane digs up a Microsoft memo that says the $300 million campaign "will be marked by humor and humanity." "Check on the humanity part, but Microsoft is going to have to work on the humor if it wants to compete with Apple’s popular Mac vs. PC commercials," Keane writes. Other critics are more generous: Gates “plays the whole thing deadpan straight, and he is hilarious,” writes Charlie Sorrel in Wired.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Jerry Seinfeld. (AP Photo)

Is Bill Gates out of touch? (AP Photo)

Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfield in the new Microsoft TV ad. (hewvideo)

Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates deadpan their way through a new Microsoft ad. (YouTube)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Microsoft's TV advertisement featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. (PalluxoMediaOnline)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

Microsoft's decision to launch its highest-profile advertising campaign in years with a spot starring 50-something Jerry Seinfeld alongside its lame-duck chairman reveals a company that is dedicated to marching forthrightly into the future, facing backwards.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Microsoft Prodigy Dies at 16

Bill Gates offered to pay for Arfa Karim's medical care

(NEWSER) - A computer prodigy known as "Pakistan's girl wonder" has died at the age of 16 from complications caused by an epileptic stroke. Arfa Karim was just nine years old when she became the youngest person ever awarded the "Microsoft Certified Professional" title for mastering the company's programs, the Daily Mail reports. She was invited to visit Microsoft's US headquarters, and met execs including Bill Gates. More»

US Cuts Off Funding to UNESCO Over Palestine

Political workaround unlikely to go anywhere

(NEWSER) - The US has officially cut off all funding to the UN’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization over its acceptance of Palestine as a full member. The impact will be felt immediately, because the US had a $60 million dues payment due in November, the AP reports. The Obama administration’s hands are effectively tied by an existing law prohibiting the US from supporting a UN agency that accepts Palestine, though a State Department spokesman hinted that it might "work with Congress" to get around the law, Politico reports. More»

IBM Surpasses Microsoft, Claims No. 2 Tech Spot

Shift illustrates tech industry's move away from PCs

(NEWSER) - Microsoft, once the world’s most valuable tech company, has now fallen to third place. IBM surpassed Microsoft yesterday to take the second-place spot, as its market value rose to $214 billion and Microsoft’s fell to $213.2 billion. It marked the first time IBM’s closing prices exceeded Microsoft’s since 1996, Bloomberg reports. The new rankings illustrate the industry’s shift away from the personal computer: IBM sold its PC business six years ago and now focuses on software and services for the government and corporations; Apple, of course, surged past Microsoft to claim the No. 1 spot last year thanks to its iPhones, iPods, and iPads. More»

Shoppers Blast Retailers' Online Anti-Gay Ties

Petitions prompt Microsoft, Apple to cut connection to charity group

(NEWSER) - Apple, Microsoft, and an array of other online retailers have found themselves at the center of a gay-rights battle, the New York Times reports. The retailers have been tied to an Internet marketer, the Charity Giveback Group, that receives a commission when it sends the retailers an online customer. There's nothing unusual about the arrangement—except that part of that commission goes to a Christian charity selected by the customer, and the list of charities said customer has to choose from includes Christian groups that loudly oppose homosexuality. More»

Google Bought Motorola for the Patents

Firm seeks protection from intellectual property litigation: Kit Eaton

(NEWSER) - Google’s purchase of Motorola Mobility isn’t just about giving the company a seamless ability to blend hardware and software—it also buys Google a new set of patents, helping to shield it from Apple and Microsoft complaints about intellectual property infringement. Apple is already battling Samsung over the “theft” of its IP, and Microsoft has launched similar attacks on makers of Android devices. “By grabbing Motorola,” writes Kit Eaton at Fast Company , “Google's certainly gained access to more patents to shore up its Android patent portfolio and thus enable it to counter (and respond with counter suits) any future IP threats.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Geek World Rants, Raves Over Microsoft Ad