Apple to Microsoft: You Can’t Put Frosting on Manure
by John Paczkowski
Posted on October 20, 2008 at 11:05 AM PT
In the end, Apple just couldn’t help itself. Microsoft’s new “I’m a PC … and I’ve been made into a stereotype” ad campaign was just too wide and deserving a target. Apple could no more ignore it than Steve Jobs could hold back his pitching arm upon finding Steve Ballmer sitting above the dunk tank at the Santa Clara County Fair. So it was inevitable, really, that we’d see Apple take a few potshots at Microsoft’s “transformative” new “made on a Mac” marketing campaign in two new “Mac vs. PC” ads that debuted over the weekend. The first ad, “The V Word,” pokes fun at Redmond for trying to promote Vista without mentioning it by name. The second, “Bean Counter,” mocks Microsoft for spending $300 million to advertise Vista instead of using that money to fix it.
Ironic, isn’t it, that Apple (AAPL) would slag Microsoft’s (MSFT) use of its ad budget by producing a new ad of its own expressly for that purpose? Still, Apple does have a point. As I noted here back in July, proposing to fix technology problems with advertising is rarely a wise idea.
Previously:
- “Vista” Means Always Having to Say You’re Sorry
- Seriously, Windows Is Just Another Way of Saying We Have Each Other?
- Which Do You Like Better, Steve: “No Mac for You!” or “Vista–Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That”?
- The Simple Life: Gates and Seinfeld, the Hilton and Richie of Tech
- Hi. I’m a PC … and I Was Made on a Mac
[Image Credit: Worth1000]
Comments
Incorrect, Mr. Paczkowski. You CAN put frosting on manure – you jut can’t make it taste like cake.
Posted by Jimmy Marks at October 20th, 2008 at 11:22 amrubbish talk.
Posted by jack deed at October 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pmMSFT provides a platform that is global, they provide a local product on a global scale.
Apple barely exists outside of the wealthy and wannabes. Yes apple makes pretty machines. No they are not suitable for 95% of the world. And until they become cheap flexible and localized they never will.
But of course that does not matter, what matters is the shiny screen , look at the shiny thing. so pretty.
Saw the bean counter ad this weekend. I thought it was a little misleading and mean-spirited, to be honest.
Too much of that might eventually backfire. People already feel like Mac users are “not like me”.
Remember back in high school? There were the “popular” kids that were nice to everyone, that everyone liked. And then there were the so-called “popular” kids who were sort of bullies that most people didn’t like.
Posted by John Mullinax at October 20th, 2008 at 12:27 pmAs an Apple fanboy, I don’t think these adverts should be on TV as they are way too “insider”.
On the web? Oh, yes. They are funny, but you have to be nerd to actually get the point.
Posted by Dave Barnes at October 20th, 2008 at 12:55 pmI agree with Dave. I do not think the general consumer has any conception of how much Microsoft is paying for their campaign, much less how much a typical national advertising campaign costs, so this reference is lost. I also believe Apple is making a mistake in continuing this campaign. It has played itself out, is getting snippy and has been satired by Microsoft. Time to turn the page…however all things considered, yes, I did enjoy these new spots.
Posted by Dominic Pannone at October 20th, 2008 at 1:40 pmIMO, the ads are effective. I don’t own a mac, and frankly I don’t intend to (unless my employer wants to pony up – and if so, I’m there). I’m a bit past the days when a new laptop got me all excited. Simply, I work for a living and I view computers as perhaps part of my tool box. So, when I get home the last thing I want to play with is a computer.
As for what the general consumer gets, does it really matter? I view them a lot like old Warner Bros cartoons: if you are an adult you get the more sophisticated bits of humor and the pop culture; if you’re a bit younger you get that it’s funny on a broader level. You don’t have to be too savvy to notice that MSFT has Seinfeld working for them and surmise that his services don’t come cheap.
Besides, it’s not like they are going to not advertise. So, given the choice, I’d much prefer these intelligent and funny commercials than something tamer and lamer, like most of the other crap put up on my TV (MSFT included).
Posted by darren cross at October 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pmI am a Mac lover and despise Microsoft. Anything they can do to belittle them or mock them is fine with me. windows, dell, zune. what a legacy.
Posted by David Owens at October 20th, 2008 at 4:43 pmmarket share shows windows with 92%
i’m neither for nor against either
don’t buy the apple halo effect
and don’t buy the microsoft wanna be cool ads
use what works for you
Posted by Sam Harrison at October 31st, 2008 at 1:52 pm