Allow me to admit something shocking right off the bat: I have not watched these ads. I am blogging in ignorance , because it seems pretty clear what’s going on here. As was the case with the Seinfeld ads, it seems that once again, Microsoft is barking too hard, and up the wrong tree at that. Your browser is bad, it’s been bad for years. Sure, IE8 is way better than its predecessors, but that’s as close to polishing poop and calling it gold as anyone has ever come. But this isn’t the way to make people try it.
Another blast-from-the-past celebrity? Internet disorders? Even the most forgiving of watchers (a group that does not include me) must recognize this as a desperate and ham-fisted attempt at going viral. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Microsoft, you need to be honest and direct. Show your logo first, admit there are multiple browsers, then say why IE8 is good for people. Show the product and show it working. Seinfeld, S.H.Y.N.E.S.S., and “Welcome to the Social” are pretentious and ineffective. “I’m a PC” was trying too hard, but it was on the right track. But try to remember, Microsoft: you’re not selling people, you’re selling software. Leave the highfalutin nonsense to Apple and perfume commercials.
If I’m wrong please let me know, I don’t want to give Microsoft any more of my eyeball time than I already have.