An ad about nothing

TechMeme , PC World and ZDNet all scratch their heads and turn their noses at the “Bill & Jerry show” (as I’ve affectionately named the new Microsoft ad.) Meanwhile, I grin and bow a low bow.

I think it’s brilliant. Why?

Well, for one thing, it’s got everyone talking about it. It’s got everyone trying to figure it out. People are bewildered! It makes no sense! Why are they talking about shoes? What’s with the showering dressed crap? And for pete’s sake, what’s with the churros?

That’s how you spend 300 million bucks, folks.

Point: No mention of Apple’s ad campaign or new offerings.
My view: What could you possibly gain my mentioning the competition.

Point: No mention of Microsoft’s own recent offerings.
My view: After the whole “The Wow starts now” thing, and the subsequent negative buzz that Vista has received, the last thing Microsoft should be doing is further chest-pounding and braggadocio.

Point: We’re not being bombarded with features/benefits
My view: Watch this YouTube on a hypothetical iPod brought to market by Microsoft.

Point: It’s just two guys -one in jeans, one in dress slacks- engaging in small talk
My view: The perfect counter-attack to the archetypes dealt by Apple in their Mac vs. PC ad campaign.

Point: But it makes no sense!
My view: Which is exactly how you generate viral buzz. It will be talked about for weeks.

And re: churros: Well man, those things are yummy. Everyone should have a churro sometime.