Microsoft’s Seinfeld Ads and Viral Marketing

Beginning this month Microsoft launched their awaited Seinfeld ads campaign.  First we saw Jerry and Bill in a discount store and didn’t make much of it.

The second ad aired last week and was about Bill and Jerry trying to connect with normal folks.  It was funnier than the first one but still the question on everybody’s mind was the same “How are those ads going to make me want to buy a pc or upgrade to vista?”

The short, answer is by “viral marketing“.

Microsoft’s approach isn’t to advertise a specific product or a service because such an ad would be forgotten the same day.  Their “Bill and Jerry Adventures” is a series of episodes which are funny, incite conversation and makes us curious about what’s next.  They are creating a buzz in the blogs and forums, as people tell each other how they love them or even hate them.

The ads will not make you want to run out and buy Vista but they are a good attempt in re-shaping the Microsoft image.  They portray Bill Gates as a regular guy.  Granted, with very little acting skills, but nevertheless a side of him we have never seen before, and that is something to talk about.

Is this plan working…?  The last ad has been viewed over a million times on YouTube.

We’ll see if Microsoft’s ads will help them achieve a positive likable branding in the long run.
But for now, are they successful?

We are talking about it, aren’t we!