So, I am a person who loves commercials. Always have. I majored in communications/advertising in college, and I love it when ads are creative or seem like they were made just for me. I really like the JC Penney back-to-school ad that features the song, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and shows teens re-enacting scenes from "The Breakfast Club." Very smart.
Recently, Microsoft unveiled a new ad featuring Jerry Seinfeld. This is Microsoft's first attempt at combating the Apple ads that portray Microsoft as uncool. There's been a lot of bad press about the Microsoft ad, so naturally I wanted to see it for myself. As someone who loved "Seinfeld," and who loves someone who works at Microsoft, I am completely baffled by this new spot.
Photo from Shootonline.comThe ad is waaaaay off in left field. It takes place in a Shoe Circus store. Jerry Seinfeld, who is sort of known for being picky when it comes to footwear, is helping Bill Gates try on shoes. WTH??? It doesn't make sense...in fact, it's odd. Apparently, the agency who created the ad is known for their strangeness. The only thing that might give people a chuckle is Bill Gates's photo on his Shoe Circus loyalty card. I was told that the picture is his original Microsoft badge photo.
Not a smart ad. Or, is it?
What the ad has going for it, is all the horrible media attention it is getting. If there's no such thing as bad press, maybe that was the point.
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Here are a few of the ads I like:
- JC Penney back-to-school ad
- AT&T Family Rollover Minutes
- The Visa Olympic ads starring the voice of Morgan Freeman
- The Google bus ad I've seen around Seattle
- Planters Peanuts "Unibrow" ad
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My problem with the JCPenny ad is it references a song and re-enacts a movie that was popular before the target audience was even born. I don't see 13-14 year olds relating to the movie I did when I was 15. maybe I don't give the Generation X-Box enough credit, but I think that JC Penny needs to do more research into today's youth market.
ReplyDeletexatomic-Good thought, but if I had to guess, I would say the target market for the ad is probably the parents of the 13- and 14-year-old kids. I wouldn't think kids that age make enough money babysitting, mowing lawns, etc. to buy their own clothes yet, although they certainly can influence their parents when it comes to their wardrobe! I know I did. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! What did you think about the Microsoft ad?