Jerry Seinfeld Gets Hired by Microsoft in a $300 Million Ad Campaign

Will Jerry Seinfeld Help Loosen Up Microsoft's Dull Image?

August 21, 2008

It was just announced today that funnyman Jerry Seinfeld was hired by Microsoft to be one of its key celebrity pitchmen in its new $300 million ad campaign. In an attempt to take on the longstanding Mac vs. PC ads with rumored slogans like "Windows, Not Walls," Jerry will appear in ads alongside the new retiree Bill Gates. Kinda ironic, no? What's even more ironic is the fact that Jerry showed off a Mac in his apartment all throughout the days of Seinfeld! What the. . .

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15 Comments

ilanac13 4 years 38 weeks

i think that he'll probably make some positive impact, however he's not really all that relevant to our generation who's buying more MAC stuff if you think about it. i don't know what funny guys there are that can change our perception - maybe someone like russell brand, or dane cook - but otherwise - i'm not sure what will do it. (i'm a mac person so i'm not sure if a spokesperson would change my opinion anyway)

kathili 4 years 38 weeks

I do think Mac is overhyped, but their stuff is pretty and they did it first. I mean, a bajillion other MP3 players exist but everyone just gets the iPod anyway. I feel like these ads will end up with the same fate.

hil34 4 years 38 weeks

It would be better if they got someone like seth rogen or steve carell. I have a mac, so I'm kinda glad that microsoft isn't doing that well *hee hee*

shalee55 4 years 38 weeks

OF ALL THE PEOPLE...WHAT A BORING SELECTION...THEY'RE WASTING THE MONEY...

looseseal 4 years 38 weeks

No kidding that Seinfeld is dated. He is such a "remember the 90s?" icon. We're about to step into 2010, Microsoft, keep up. Yeah, I know Macs aren't perfect. I'm not happy with how Word documents work (or not work) in iWork. I keep losing footnotes. Maybe open office would be better, I haven't tried that yet. I just thought of another thing Windows can push... (and this is a point that might seem more interesting than the office software stuff) You can customize the build of your machine pretty much from scratch. Tailor it for yourself, if you will. That puts the "personal" in "PC". Of course, Vista's incompatibility with some hardware would destroy this point. Also, Microsoft's evil overlord control-freak image thanks to all their rights management crapola would also run counter to the idea of "we let you do whatever you want with your machine". And... this takes us back to how they need to fix some serious problems or all the advertisements in the world won't help them. What's with the slogan "Windows, not walls", anyway? What walls? The walls of your own limitations? Oh, Windows. Potentially drawing attention to your own flaws with your advertising yet again. I hope they go back to the drawing board with that one. I'm all for healthy competition between Apple, Windows, and maybe even Linux. Improvements across the board would be a boon for everyone. Fight! Fight! Fight! Heeheehee.

serial 4 years 38 weeks

I think comedy, and most of the world in general, have moved past Seinfeld. Not the coolest choice, Microsoft. But of course, it wouldn't be Microsoft if it were.

gemsera 4 years 38 weeks

300 million, and all they got was jerry? Jerry was fine in the 90s, but is just completely dated. Looseseal i completely agree with you on most points, but a mac isnt completely perfect either. They both have benefits, and it would be nice if PC came out with advertising that is fresh, fun, and shows the benefits of using a pc over a mac. INTERESTING benefits. not just "you use one at work so use it at home" type stuff. OR "we have good spreadsheet software" cause so does everyone else (open office etc). They just need to engage with people...

kcwebgirl 4 years 38 weeks

he'll attract more of the old fogees and none of the young hipsters

looseseal 4 years 38 weeks

Was that Will Ferrell ad real or some kind of spoof? 'Cause it doesn't make me want to buy Apple products. I think Windows ads only reinforces the idea in everyone's heads that Vista is screwy. It's like "Oh, look at that, a Windows ad, they must be really desperate to do damage control." Dull isn't a problem if the OS is reliable. The more pressing thing they need to address is the bugginess. File fragmentation and viruses. I don't miss dealing with those when I'm on my Mac. I'm not holding my breath that there'll ever be a virus-free windows, but maybe they can surprise me. And they need to shed their image of being the evil overlord who wants to control you through your computer. This means doing away with crap like DRM and WGA. This stuff really only punishes the people who have perfectly legal software - making the pirated versions more attractive because those don't have all these restrictions and hoops for users to jump through. There are still some things that work better with Windows, like the office suite. Maybe they need to start bundling the office suite with Windows. This would be an edge over Macs, since office software is where Macs are lacking. Hit the competition where they're weak. And get rid of that baffling packaging of four different kinds of Vista and just have one OS. Jeebus. As long as they don't fix their actual problems, even incredible advertisements will come off as just ironic reminders of how craptacular they are. Dear Microsoft: K.I.S.S. - keep it simple, stupid.

pinkmystic 4 years 38 weeks

I don't hate nor like this idea... i'm in the i don't care zone The old mac ads from the 90s was on this site... and the mac guy was sporting a Jerry Seinfield hairstyle.. that's ironic

Le Etiana 4 years 38 weeks

I think it's a good match.

CoralAmber 4 years 38 weeks

Isn't Jerry one of the most boring comics? And his show was water cooler talk for years of cubicle dwellers. If anything it reinforces PC's image.

devils 4 years 38 weeks

It's gonna take waaaaayyy more than Jerry to help Microsoft.

redsugar 4 years 38 weeks

It'll take SO much more. Remember when they first brought out Zune in exciting colors like black, white and brown. OOoooOOOOO!

calamari 4 years 38 weeks

I also read that Will Ferrell will be in one of the Vista ads. Funny 'cuz Will Ferrell was in one of the apple "switch" ads years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ariXkEKuBU The Vista ads are also being produced by Chiat/Day, which is a little weird because they are the same ad agency that handles Apple's advertising. http://tinyurl.com/65qe9q

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