Oct 21

New Apple Ads - Video War Moving On

In the media war raging between Apple and Microsoft, I think Apple is winning, and not necessarily by being the best of the two. Now, don't get me wrong - Apple may be better than Microsoft in many areas, but I think the Redmond giant is really helping Steve Jobs' company to grab the market, step by step. How's that possible? It's easy - all you need is a monkey boy to run the company, and a useless and expensive marketing campaign!

As you probably noticed, Microsoft's current marketing assault is nothing but a lame try to cover up Windows Vista's monumental failure. Obviously, it is simply impossible for Microsoft to release some OS these days and not recover the money put into building it, since they have deep roots in the industry, but Vista managed to fail when it comes to consumer satisfaction, and that's what really matters. After all, this is not like some online game - you quit, go check a new one, then get back, since most switchers do this only one way - the "Vista no-way!"

Now, from a life without walls, we're moving right to the "Bean Counter" and "V Word." Both movies are available above, as you probably noticed already... Until I get to see your comments, let me tell you a few things about these two new Apple ads, will you?

In "Bean Counter," Long suggests that the PC is putting too much money into marketing Windows, instead of fixing it - exactly what I was saying earlier, and what I always said regarding this issue, in the last year. Obviously, we're talking about a $300 million smokescreen to mask the problems with Vista. I would rather go for free truth, than expensive lies, but I am not in charge at Microsoft, so let's leave it this way...

At last, we have the "V Word." Whatta mystery! Now, what word could it be...Vista, maybe? Yupp, that's the word, and the purpose of the ad is to spank Microsoft for avoiding to even mention that word in the latest ads. Why avoid it? Well, according to Hodgman's character, it "doesn't sit well" with PC users, and that should say it all.

My final words are these - I never enjoy this kind of advertising, when one points out his competitor's weaknesses and problems, but at least Apple seems to say the truth this time. Unfortunately, nothing's perfect, and I think the Cupertino-based company should focus on serving its expanding client base as well as possible, and leave Microsoft alone. After all, Microsoft's Vista helps Apple more than any advertising campaign...