Drumming Gorilla
October 23, 2008 | 0 Comments
I kind of wish this video of a gorilla drumming to Total Eclipse of the Heart was an actual gorilla and not a commercial. (via @thedayhascome)
Windows Tries Again
September 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
It wasn’t too long ago that I mentioned Microsoft was launching a new ad campaign with Jerry Seinfeld. Yesterday they announced they were moving into “phase two” of the campaign. It was all media spin trying to hide the fact that the $300 million marketing blitz failed horribly because no one really knew what Microsoft was trying to do. The first of the new ads started showing up online today. While it is better than the Seinfeld ads, it’s still not really all that great. As Gruber puts it:
Pathetic. So sad. This campaign (which is utterly unconnected to the Seinfeld spots) might as well be titled “Please stop making fun of Windows, Apple.”
What do you think? Is this one better than the last set? Drop one in the comments.
Update: This link is too funny not to share. AppleInsider reports that Microsoft can’t even use their own software to create their ad campaign. I guess they’re not only out of touch with their customers but their product as well. Oh well.
How Genius is Genius?
September 9, 2008 | 3 Comments
Today Apple made some waves and refreshed all of their iPods and dropped iTunes 8 onto the intertubes. Considering none of the “announcements” were surprises due to Apple’s new lack of leak plugs, I was ready to try out the Genius feature before I knew that I could. Did you follow that? I hope so because I’m not going to try and re-write it. Anyway, the Genius feature is pretty good, pretty intuitive and puts together a nice playlist based on the selected song. It couldn’t, though, put together a playlist based on the Dr. Horrible soundtrack. Oh well.
But this isn’t going to be a review of iTunes 8 and the Genius feature. It’s a look at the name itself. I’ve got a huge problem with it. Other sites around the web are arguing over Apple’s use of the word “funnest” in their new iPod marketing, but I think the use of Genius is a much bigger mistake on Apple’s part.
Anyone who has ever walked into an Apple Store knows that the word Genius is not new to Apple. Apple uses the word to describe it’s tech support people. Computer broke? iPod showing the sad face? Go see a Genius at your local Genius Bar. Makes sense considering a genius should know what to do. Apple has effectively branded the word genius to demote support for your Mac. Now, with the launch of iTunes 8, they are telling us that it also means something that can pick songs for you. I mean, it’d be stupid to walk into the closest Apple Store, wait in line, and then ask a Genius to recommend some music for you. But maybe that’s what Apple want’s us all to do.
I might be looking too much into this, but I think Apple is making a mistake here. The iTunes feature could have easily been called something else leaving the Genius moniker for the support folks at the local store. What do you think? Did Apple make a mistake using the word Genius or am I just overreacting? Let me know in the comments.
Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld… why?
September 4, 2008 | 5 Comments
Ok, so I don’t even know what to do with this. Jerry Seinfeld was tipped to be the new spokesperson for Microsoft. I guess they wanted to combat the very clever Mac vs. PC ads that Apple has been running for a few years now. I like Jerry Seinfeld, I even liked the HP commercial he did last summer, but this… well, let’s just say I don’t have a clue what the point is nor how it’s supposed to sell Windows. In fact, I don’t really know what to say about it. I’m kind of dumbfounded that such a large, and at times brilliant, company could think this made sense:
Maybe I’m not seeing this right. Maybe my Apple love has blinded me. Maybe. What do you think? Does this commercial make a bit of sense to you? Let me know in the comments.
Via MacUser.
The Chicken Sangwich
August 16, 2008 | 2 Comments
I’ve gotten pretty tired of the commercials that both McDonalds and KFC are running during the Olympics advertising their “new” chicken sandwiches. I think McDonalds is calling theirs homestyle. I don’t know why they both just don’t give up and call it what it really is, the same chicken sandwich that Chick-Fil-A has been making for some fifty years. I mean they both are nothing but chicken, pickles and bread.
They don't call it the 'original' chicken sandwich for nothing.
I haven’t tried the KFC one. KFC is, well, not good so there isn’t really a reason to go there but I did try the McDonalds one when they gave them away for free. Let’s just say Chick-Fil-A doesn’t have anything to worry about.
Lack of taste isn’t stopping McDonalds and KFC from advertising though. The best (that really depends on how you define best) is the one McDonalds is running showing all the Olympic athletes eating the chicken sandwich. I’m sure that’s exactly what happens. I mean, I know Michael Phelps eats something like 10,000 calories a day so obviously he goes to McDonalds and eats a “homestyle” chicken sandwich and some fries and he’s good for the day and ready to get back into the pool. Yeah, right.
If I’m in the mood for a fast food chicken sandwich, which isn’t very often, then I’ll be sure to stick with Chick-Fil-A — unless of course it’s Sunday.