Hey, look, proof that Microsoft actually responds to customers in less than a month: Silicon Valley blog Valleywag reports that after only a few weeks, the software giant is ending the disastrous Jerry Seinfeld ad campaign that was supposed to change their entire image. The commercials, which have been almost universally panned, feature the comedian and Microsoft founder Bill Gates deigning to socialize with the little people because they've become so rich and mighty that they don't know how regular folks live. Seinfeld reportedly received $10 million US for his participation.
That's right: in an effort to revamp their image, Microsoft hired a comedian who hit his peak in the mid-'90s and now struggles to stay relevant. Wow, when did Microsoft become so self-aware?
So far, the official stance is that Microsoft planned to cancel the ads all along, dropping Seinfeld from the campaign in order to move onto the mysterious "phase two." Yeah, like they're fooling anyone.
"People would have been happier if everyone loved the ads, but this was not unexpected," said Frank Shaw of Waggener Edstrom, the public relations firm representing Microsoft.
Seriously, you guys! We totally meant to spend millions of dollars – in a time of severe economic turmoil – on a wildly unsuccessful ad campaign that lasted only a few weeks! It's a foolproof strategy, folks. Just look at their business plan:
Step 1: Throw $10 million dollars away
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit
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