Microsoft has decided to pull the plug on its new ads featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates, but the software giant insists its not in response to criticism of the ads.
"All along we said we were having a teaser campaign," he said. "We're getting ready to start the second phase. This was the plan all along," says Spokesman Frank Shaw.
But we're not buying it. Microsoft picked Jerry Seinfeld and reportedly paid him $10 million as part of its new $300 million advertising campaign. You certainly don't pay $10 million for a 'teaser campaign'.
The truth is the ads have proved extremely ineffective and haven't improved Microsoft's image in the least. You certainly can't call them funny, entertaining or even hip -- all of which Microsoft was going for with this campaign, in reponse to Apple's clever 'Mac vs. PC' ads.
In fact, the ads haven't only hurt Microsoft but also Seinfeld's reputation with critics commenting he provided the software company will nothing of value in return for the large sum.
If you haven't the ad spots, check them out below. The second one is a much longer ad that wasn't shown on TV:
Microsoft has decided to pull the plug on its new ads featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates, but the software giant insists its not in response to criticism of the ads.
