It gets better every day. Just a couple days ago, as Verizon responded to AT&T’s lawsuit about their 3G coverage maps, it appeared as if AT&T had nowhere to go. However, that’s certainly not the case. As you can see in the ad below, AT&T isn’t going to give up on this one. It may be true that Verizon has the most expansive 3G network, but AT&T is now claiming they have the fastest 3G network, allow you to talk and surf at the same time, carry the most popular smartphones, and have over 100,000 apps available. Like with the coverage map, Verizon might be out of responses here. Check it out below.

Oh, and there’s also a website entitled the truth about 3G that AT&T has launched in response. I’m sure the advertising departments at both Verizon and AT&T are having a lot of fun with this battle, and I can’t wait to see what the people at Verizon come up with next. This is certainly getting amusing.

Via [The iPhone Blog]

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Lee Clow, the chief creative officer at that ad agency that created Apple’s iconic “1984” ad, as well as the “Think Different” and “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” campaigns, has stepped down from his position at TBWA/Media Arts Lab. The Apple account will be in good hands, however, as the new CCO is “Duncan Milner, executive creative director on Apple and a TBWA alum since 1990.”

AdAge reports:

In his more than 40 years in advertising, he is best known for his work for Apple, which includes what many have called the best commercial of all time, “1984,” that launched the Macintosh computer; the now iconic dancing silhouettes for the iPod; and the more recent “Mac vs. PC” campaign featuring actors John Hodgman and Justin Long. His other memorable campaigns include the Energizer Bunny and the Taco Bell Chihuahua.

We’ll forgive him for the Chihuahua, since he created so many iconic ads for Apple:

The Martinetti family was unavailable for comment.

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There is no doubt that Apple may be a more innovative company that Microsoft. While I’m not implying that Microsoft simply copies all of the tops products that come out of Cupertino, Apple does certainly make more barrier breaking products, in my opinion. Their latest Get a Mac ad, PC Innovation Lab, focuses on these innovations, or lack thereof. It has the same two actors you’ve grown used to, as well as a special guest PC or two with the same witty type of dialog.

As you can see, it begins with PC talking about how they are going to start innovating more. Their response to Apple’s Magsafe adapter, for instance, will be PCs wrapped in bubble wrap. By the same token, PC’s response to Apple’s new longer lasting battery is a super long extension cords to allow you to use your computer without the fear of losing power. At the end, Mac points out how he doesn’t think these are really innovations and then it ends. Good on ya, Apple!

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In the ongoing battle between Apple’s Get a Mac ads and Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter ads, Apple has played their next card. With two more Get a mac ads that are clearly a response to Microsoft’s ads, Apple may have come out on top once again. The title of these two ads are “Surprise” and “Top of the Line,” and they feature the familiar two actors and screenplay.

As you can see, this advertisement features PC disguising himself as a Mac and trying to convince a customer to purchase a PC over a Mac. Once she leaves after being disappointed in the viruses and issues that PCs have, Justin Long as the Mac walks in and looks in shame at the PC who has just uncovered his true identity. Very clever, Apple.

The second of the two ads features a similar scenario, with Mac and PC present with a customer. PC brings in his “top of the line” product to sell to the female customer only for him to be shot down by all of the issues he has. In the end, the female shakes hands with the Mac and agrees to purchase one of those. It is very clear that Apple is directly responding to the Laptop Hunter ads published by Microsoft, and they are doing a good job at that.

Stay tuned for more battles in this war.

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Word—according to Sierra Sun—has it that Apple shot footage for an advertisement on Tuesday afternoon at Jax on the Tracks in Truckee, CA. This is a rare act on Apple’s part, considering most of their ads are shot in studio.

“Apple found us, they’re trying to show us as a hip and cool spot for the 20-something crowd,” said Bud Haley, owner of Jax on the Tracks.

So, the 1940’s styled diner supposedly fits into that awesome world that follows around all 20-something-year-olds like myself. The interesting part about this is that security was high, and no one really knows what product was featured in this ad. Does anyone else smell an Apple tablet?

If you happen to live near Truckee, CA perhaps you might enjoy stopping at Jax on the Tracks and be cool like all of us 20-somethings. Here’s a link to their splendid site for your good self. I wouldn’t recommend playing Jax on the railroad tracks though.

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With two new iPhone ads this week, Apple is pushing the file sharing and traveling abilities of the iPhone. In the first ad, entitled “Travel,” that strangely familiar hand and voice details the ability of some applications to help you tour areas of the world or simply find your way around using a subway map. In my experiences, this has been one of the best ways to use an iPhone. Without Google Maps, an application that comes built in, I can honestly admit I would be lost somewhere in Atlantis right now.

The second of the two advertisements is titled “Share,” and details the ways the iPhone can help people share information. For example, the Bump application allows users to share contact information with a simple bump while another can share photos with the slide of a finger. While the basic concept of all of these iPhone advertisements is the same, Apple sure does focus on some great aspects and applications of the iPhone.

Via [Apple]

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Apple has a new iPhone TV advertisement that touts the new editing capabilities of the iPhone 3GS. The commercial consists of a person recording a skateboarder, followed by cutting out the end of the video clip where the skateboarder falls. The iPhone user then continues to email the video to a friend. Again, it is very well made.

In my opinion, the ability to “edit” (and I use quotes because you can really only trim it) is just another way the iPhone appears to be more like a portable computer than a consumer phone. With the Unix back end, the powers of this mobile device are quite outstanding. It will be fun to watch what Apple comes up with next for the iPhone line as I’m sure it will be even more amazing.

Via [Apple Ads]

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Apple has posted two new iPhone advertisements on their website. This time around, they are touting Voice Control and Cut, Copy, and Paste—two new features on the iPhone that have existed on other phones for plenty of years now. That said, Apple’s implementation of them is once again above that of their competitors. For example, Voice Control is very English-like in that you can tell it to call people, play songs, or a variety of other things. Also, copy and paste also copies images and font styles.

As you can see, these iPhone ads feature the usual style with just a hand and the iPhone. These two features for the iPhone are surely long-awaited, and I think Apple did a fantastic job with both of them. I never really realized how much I would use copy and paste until I was able to on the new iPhone software. Hopefully, we see some more exciting features from Apple in the future. You can check out these and other iPhone ads over at Apple’s website.

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Apple, who seems to have a habit of creating news web ads that take over almost every ad spot on the New York Times homepage, is at it again with their “#1 In Customer Experience” ad. This ad shows how a recent survey reveals that Apple is #1 in customer experience. As usual, PC tries to find a way around this by getting opinions from two men on the left side of the website.  When given the chance to talk, these two men then praise how Macs are so easy to use and how helpful the Genius Bar can be.  As always, it ends out with Mac on top again.

Recently there has been quite the debate between Apple and Microsoft in their television ads. However, we have yet to see Microsoft create an ad like this for the web where Apple still reigns supreme as far as ads go. Surely the TV ads get plenty more viewers, but it would still be interesting to see what happens if Microsoft decided to make an ad like this.

Via [The New York Times]

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In the ongoing battle between Microsoft ads and Apple ads, Apple has played their latest card. In a series of their three latest ads—Customer Care, Elimination, and PC Choice Chat—Apple takes parts in the usual Mac versus PC battle. However, Elimination is clearly a direct blow at Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter ads. In this ad, PC has numerous other PCs behind him and a woman is telling PC what she is looking for in her computer. When she mentions that she doesn’t want crashing or viruses, all of the PCs quickly make their way off of the screen. Very clever, Apple.

With this blow from Apple, the ad war is becoming even more intense. This may be the first time in a while that Microsoft has actually been able to compete with Apple in their commercials, and it is very fun and interesting to see it play out. Considering that Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Windows 7 are on their way, I believe the ads are just going to keep on coming. And I can’t wait.

Via [Apple]

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In my ongoing battle against the Microsoft Laptop Hunter ads, Microsoft has given me more reasons to complain with their latest ad. This time around it features a lady named Sheila who is looking for a computer for under $2,000 that will help her with her video editing. She ends up getting an HP HDX, but not before mentioning that MacBooks only come with 2GB RAM standard for under $2,000. Throughout the whole ad, her only real argument is that the PC she purchased has a larger screen size, which is nice for editing.

To begin, if you are very serious about movie editing, you are probably going to spend over $2,000 for a computer, and maybe even get a desktop instead of a laptop.  Furthermore, although MacBooks for that price do only have 2GB of RAM standard, 1) RAM is very easy and cheap to upgrade, and 2) 2GB on a MacBook may be plenty for what it seems like she plans on doing, as Macs make great use of the RAM they have available. Furthermore, I thought many of the serious movie editors and designers (and this may be a generalization) used Macs anyways because of the software available. Who knows, but I think Microsoft got this one all wrong again.

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Apple has released four new Get A Mac ads (which we haven’t seen in a while, I might ad) by the names of Biohazard Suit, Stacks, Legal Copy, and Time Traveler.  Like usual, these four ads feature the fun and witty jokes created by Apple’s PR team that help to make the Mac guy look superior to PC. In Time Traveler, PC heads into the future to see that PCs still freeze, while in Stacks, PC must sort through a bunch of photos while Mac can simply use iPhoto face recognition. Also, Biohazard pokes fun at the lack of security on a PC, while Legal Copy points out even more flaws in PCs.

It’s no secret that a new battle is brewing in the Microsoft and Apple ad marketplace.  Yet, with these new ads, it’s clear that Apple is still winning. With their ads, Apple is able to fully show how great the Mac is compared to the PC while still not straight out bashing it. Through their humor and experience, they are able to hide their snarky comments whereas Microsoft has done the wrong thing by making their ads revolve around them. Keep it up, Apple.

Via [Apple Ads Page]

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By now, you’re probably well aware of what I think about the Microsoft laptop hunter ad campaign. The first one was decent, but the second was absolute trash. It’s nice to see that Microsoft is finally fighting back in the ad wars that Apple has initiated, but I think they can come up with something better. Apparently, so does Apple PR person Bill Evans. When Business Week asked him what he though about the ads, he responded:

A PC is no bargain when it doesn’t do what you want… The one thing that both Apple and Microsoft can agree on is that everyone thinks the Mac is cool. With its great designs and advanced software, nothing matches it at any price.

Ouch. You have to agree with him on that one. Although Microsoft was trying to use the “cool” factor against Apple, I believe it just further proved that the “cool” factor may actually be important when it comes to purchasing a Mac over a PC. Furthermore, the last sentence in that quote couldn’t have summed it up any better. Sure, Macs may cost more than PCs, but that is because they have a great design, and more importantly, amazing software.

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Apple has created and is now airing three more of their clever iPhone commercials. These three ads are no different than all of the prior ads that showcase some of the most helpful applications available on the iPhone. The first ad is titled “Student,” and shows how the iPhone can help a student in a new place and at a new school. It first displays an app that can be used to find the cheapest and best apartment. Then, it displays a price comparison app that can be used for text books, and a photo editor to send pictures to your parents with.

The second ad, which is called “Itchy,” shows how apps can help you when you’re out and about. It first shows a GPS compass to find your way.  Then it also shows an app to help you see what type of bird you are looking at. Lastly, it features a Howcast app that shows a guide to avoiding poison ivy.

The third ap, entitled “Office,”  shows how the iPhone can help in the working environment. It first shows a credit card processing app followed by an app to send files to print on a remote printer. Finally, it shows a package tracker for your products.

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New York based advertising company, Guava Ad Agency, thought they’d offer Blackberry a helping hand with their Storm handset. Guava made this video independent of Blackberry and to drive people towards their agency, and ultimately the Blackberry Storm. But what if this advert had been genuine? Take a look, if you haven’t already:

It’s a brilliant advert that was cleverly done. Everything about it was right, and it felt a genuine product from Blackberry’s advertising departments—even though it’s similar to Apple’s kind of adverts. Apparently, Blackberry considered using the advert, or at least the idea, but then decided against it for fear of any repercussions that could occur. There were no actual connections to the Apple brand, so I’m not sure they could touch Blackberry from that aspect. Of course it still “shoots” Apple though, so if it had of been genuine, it would be interesting to watch it pan out.

Should Apple be worried, therefore, of Blackberry; in particular, their first touch screen device: the Storm? As the saying goes, the most sincere form of flattery, is imitation. How could Blackberry and other companies, such as Palm, not look up to Apple for tips on how to pull off the ultimate phone?

Via [Smoking Apples]

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Apple has released yet another iPod Touch advertisement. As is typical of all Apple iPhone and iPod Touch ads, this one features that perfect hand on a white background with nothing but the iPod Touch. This time around the ad has been titled “More Fun” and contains the background music of Franz Ferdinand’s “No You Girls” (look to see that one on the iTunes list any day now). The ad focuses on the concept of gaming again and features a variety of games on the App Store.

As you can see, the commercial features soccer games, tennis games, racing games, and band games. This type of ad just goes to show how great of a mobile platform the iPhone and iPod touch are when it comes to creating fun, creative programs. There are plenty of success stories out there as proof, and it’s good to see that Apple realized how great these games really are. Without the time and effort of all those developers, I don’t think these devices would be nearly as popular as they are today.

Via Apple]

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As if Apple hasn’t already launched enough iPhone ads, they have introduced two more this week. These ads, entitled Fix and Read, are much like the typical ads in that they only contain the iPhone and that perfect hand. However, they are a little different in what they discuss. Instead of featuring just one application like previous ads, they focus on the ideas that are made clear in the titles of the ads. Throughout the commercial, they feature a couple of different applications that help get various tasks done. If you ask me, it’s a great way of showing how useful the iPhone is simply due to all of the extra features that can be created using the App Store.

As you have probably noticed, Apple also placed a small text portion at the bottom of the Read ad that reads, “Sequence shortened. App from App Store.” This may be due to some of the heat they received about users not experiencing the speeds that the Apple ads showed previously. Either way, the general point of the ads is clear and to the point, and I think they are a great message to those people out there who are considering buying an iPhone. Do you like them?

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Everyone knows about Apple’s highly successful Get a Mac ad campaigns. With simple, to-the-point messages and interesting characters, they are the perfect commercials for Apple and their products. For that reason, it comes as no surprise to me that US News has named Apple’s campaign as the “Best Video Ad.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t really think of any other ads that I’ve seen on TV that have made as lasting an impression as the Get a Mac ones. As soon as I hear that music or see that white background with just two people on the screen, I know what they are advertising.  Not only that, but I am drawn into to see what Apple has come up with each time.

Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign, which launched in 2006, puts the hip, easygoing Mac against the hapless, problem-prone PC. “The message of these ads is clear,” says communications professor Stephen Marshall, author of Television Advertising That Works. “Every one of them says, ‘Don’t be this guy.’ You don’t want to be the PC.” The TV ads also appeared online, and the company released a series of web-only ads to capitalize on consumer interest in the characters. People got the message—Mac’s market share grew by 42 percent.
Lesson: Create engaging characters in your online video to help grow an audience that’s receptive to your brand.

Other advertising campaigns that can be seen on this list include the Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” series as “Best of YouTube” and “Got Milk?” as the “Best Slogan.” It’s cool to see that Apple’s ads are not only being recognized by us Apple fans, but by the general population as well. This shows that Apple’s ads are making an effect on people, which is exactly what they are meant to do.

Via [US News]

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Actor/comedian Justin Long is perhaps best known for playing the easy-going and unshaven “Mac” in the popular Get a Mac ads, but in the short film “Hunger Relief” he embodies another stereotype: a stoner with the munchies.

The video contains profanity, drug humor, and an iPhone:

Of course, it would have been really funny if other guy was played by John Hodgman, but what can you do?

Via Funny or Die.

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Apple has released some Christmas themed Get a Mac ads to air this holiday season. Like usual, these two ads feature the same two characters, only this time they are animated. However, you can guarantee yourself that these two ads come with the same good ol’ Microsoft bashing that we have all grown so used to. The commercials are titled “I Can Do Anything” and “Tree Trimming” and contain a guest appearance from a lovely rabbit on his way to the Apple Store.

The Tree Trimming commercial first shows both Mac and PC setting up lights and ornaments on a Christmas tree. Once Mac asks PC to turn it on, he apprehensively tries to avoid the situation. When he turns it on, we see why. The tree lights up the phrase “PC Rules,” and then the ad ends with PC apologizing and the usual iMac. In the other video, “I Can Do Anything,” PC first shows off all of the cool stuff he can do since he is an animation. Then a bunny comes along and PC brags that he can talk to him, only to find out that the bunny is on his way to the Apple Store. PC then gracefully pushes a snow man onto him.

It’s some good holiday fun, I hope you enjoy them as much as me. You can watch them at the link below.

Via [Apple]

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Apple has been known to have created some fairly interesting web based ads that have most commonly appeared on the New York Times and other popular sites. Up until this point, these ads, unlike some ads, have been fairly unobtrusive and have remained within their little ad areas.  However, Apple has now created a new iPod touch ad that doesn’t leave its area, but still manages to literally shake the whole Yahoo! games home page. Although the ad itself is familiar, this was a pretty interesting way of applying it.

See what I mean? This new approach to one of Apple’s ads further illustrates how much they are pushing the iPod touch as a gaming platform. This ad really does grab the page visitor in a pretty obtrusive way (that said, it has to be initiated), but that just shows how much Apple wants people to see this. In the end, even with this awesome ad to display, I don’t think this will supply any help when it comes to Yahoo! as a company. I’m sure Apple was able to get this ad spot for fairly cheap considering their current state.

Via [MacRumors]

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If you remember the iPod touch ad that touted this musical device as being the “funnest iPod ever,” then you remember the song “Around The Bend” from Mette Lindberg and beatmaker Lars Iversen. Although one would expect there is a group of people over at Apple that pick the songs for the ads, or maybe even the marketing team itself, it may actually be Steve Jobs himself (which may not surprise some most people).

So, here’s the story. Apparently, these Danish singers work with a company here in America known as Synch. After contacting Apple, this company was lucky enough to get a meeting with Jobs himself where he simply said, “This is it, this is the new track for the iPod touch.” And voila, as simple as that, you have your ad song.

It is pretty interesting how much power Steve Jobs has when it comes to simply choosing a song, especially considering the fact that the artists were told, “You guys are going to be in this ad, and you have to be happy and smile about that.” Holding off their own product for the launch of another seems pretty demanding of Apple, but I’m going to venture a guess and say that it was well worth it in sales for the song. Although this band didn’t have any say in the editing of their song and 30 second clip, it turned out very nice. Steve sure does have an ear for music.

Via [SongFacts]

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The Advertising Standards Authority in the U.K. has banned an Apple iPhone 3G due to complaints from a whopping seventeen people. The ad in question promoted the speed of the iPhone 3G, saying, “So, what’s so great about 3G? It’s what helps you get the news, really fast. Find your way, really fast. And download pretty much anything, really fast. The new iPhone 3G. The Internet, you guessed it, really fast.”  Apparently the problem of this statement is that the iPhone’s speeds don’t match up to the “really fast” claim that Apple is making. Even more amazing is that this ad was banned despite Apple’s disclaimer in the ad stating, “Network performance will vary by location.”

This isn’t the first time Apple is getting in trouble for one of their advertisements. Back in August, a different iPhone 3G ad was banned that claimed to give its users access to “... all parts of the internet.”  The ruling in this ad was that because the iPhone didn’t support Flash or Java content, it didn’t truly give access to all parts of the internet. I find it strange that the speed ad was banned because “really fast” is a subjective term that is left open for opinion as to what it means. Do you think it should have been banned?

Via [CNet]

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Apple recently started promoting their new laptops as the “world’s greenest family of notebooks.” They began running an ad tonight, which was followed by a new page on their website focusing on the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and the highly recyclable unibody enclosure and the mercury and arsenic free components that have been used.

When we redesigned the new Macbook, our designers and engineers set a goal of making not only the greenest notebook Apple ever produced, but the greenest family of notebooks. So every new Macbook has been built using materials that are highly recyclable and free of many harmful substances present in other computers. Apple engineers also designed the software and hardware to work together, in order to maximize energy efficiency and minimize the carbon footprint of the MacBook. Even the packaging was reconsidered and reduced, so there would be smaller boxes to ship and less material to recycle. The result is exactly what we hoped for: the greenest family of notebooks ever made.

The ad focuses on the same issues as the website does.

Greenpeace and other international environmental organizations have criticized Apple’s commitment to the environment in the past, and it is quite nice to know Apple has taken this feedback seriously.

Via [MacRumors]

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Apple, Inc. is a content producing machine, lately, with plenty of new ads for the iPhone, and now a new online ad for their Get a Mac campaign. This ad, which can currently be seen on the New York Times website as well as other major websites, is called “Mac Customer Satisfaction” and features the usual two suspects, Justin Long and John Hodgeman. This time around, PC tries to correct a “mistake” that seems to be made when it comes to Mac’s customer satisfaction ratings. However, it ends with a nice surprise.

With this new ad, Apple is taking another direct shot at Microsoft. Although Microsoft recently released their cleverly named “I’m a PC” ads on TV, I still think Apple has them beat. Although Microsoft’s idea is there, Apple’s execution at pointing out their achievements and Windows’ flaws seems to be spot on in almost every ad they produce.  As usual, I look forward to seeing more of these funny advertisements in the future.

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Last week, Apple released a new ad called Dilemmas that featured the Urbanspoon restaurant finding application. This week, Apple has released two more ads to go along with their line of App Store ads. The first one features Loopt and discusses how it will allow you to always know where your friends are and what they are up to. The second one features Shazam, an application that allows you to put your iPhone up to a speaker and find out what song is playing. Two very good choices if you ask me.

Apple is really doing a great job with these advertisements. By highlighting some of the most useful and interesting apps in their ads, Apple is proving just how useful the iPhone is to people who may not be convinced yet. In almost any situation that presents itself daily, there is an iPhone app that can handle the job. I look forward to seeing more of these advertisements from Apple, as they are always fun to watch.

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Apple has created another one of their creative and beautifully carried out ads for the iPhone 3G. This time around, the commercial is called “Dilemmas,” and it features UrbanSpoon’s popular dining app that helps users find a place to eat with a simple shake. Toting the iPhone’s ability to help solve all sorts of dilemmas, it also gives credit to the apps that have been created by saying that the iPhone does this “one app at a time.” It once again has that all so familiar voice with the perfectly molded hand.

There is just something about iPhone ads that make me stop what I’m doing and watch them when they come onto my TV. Unlike other ads, they really get to the point in a clean way. For example, there are no flashy colors and paragraphs of fine text. It is just the iPhone and a hand on a white background, which really makes the iPhone stand out.  Apple sure does have some clever people over in their marketing department.

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Apple has paid for a huge ad on the YouTube homepage. This is only the second ad of this size, the first being an ad for the Spore video game. In doing this, Apple will reach a very large audience of its target demographic. But will it actually rope them in?

I find that ads that greatly interfere with my experience on any website backfire intensely, leaving me with a dislike for that company, and not an interest in their product. As it is, this ad isn’t incredibly annoying, but it does shove the content down a considerable amount, possibly blocking it from view on some smaller-screened computers.

What do you think? Annoying or not?

Video below.

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Apple has fired back in the ad wars. See the ads here, read thoughtful analysis of the point Apple seeks to make here or here. More important than this second round of cinematic squabbling, however, are reactions to the campaigns: blogs the world over are sounding off with reactions, analysis, ranting…even remixes! In all the confusion (as though presidential campaign ads weren’t enough, right?), it can be helpful to pause and consider the messages Apple and Microsoft are sending.

In a world without walls and fences, who needs Gates and Windows?

Now that Steve Ballmer has the reigns, it’s not as pithy a question. Although +10 if you ever had that printed on a T-shirt in the mid 90s. What used to be a slogan of rebellion against the man has become the catchphrase for Microsoft’s turnaround ads: LIfe Without Walls. Okay, I get it—hip, edgy, with a slight sneer of defiance to win back the college kids who are defecting to MacBooks. Just one question, Mr. Ballmer; if there are no walls, what on earth would I need a Window(s) for?

Watching Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates romp through suburbia in the original ads was supposed to make us ask questions. Get us excited about Windows. The problem is, the public is already asking questions: Why should I use Vista? If it’s going to be so painful to upgrade, why not go with a Mac? I hear they’re easier to use anyway! The “Mojave Experiment” served to show us that in controlled settings, when eye candy is on display, Vista rocks. What it did not show us, however, is the fact that Vista is just as bloated, overly complex, and nightmarish as its predecessor. Show us that Vista is worth the effort, Microsoft.  Don’t just show us that it’s pretty!

The latest ammo in the $300 million marketing blitz is the somewhat poorly named “I’m a PC” set of adverts (imapc.com looks suspiciously like imac.com, which Google will redirect to the Apple Store). These ads, which appear across media, demonstrate that everyday people use PCs, and seem to be proud of it. One particular ad demonstrates that people who wear suits are PCs—a diver in a neoprene wetsuit, a CEO type in a business suit, a bohemian shopkeeper in…a turban. Hurray for individuality? Unfortunately, the point seems to be less, “Vista is better than OS X”, and more, “Vista may suck, but misery loves company!” In fact, in the entire Life Without Walls campaign, the Windows “brand” is used, rather than Vista. If you’re waiting for proof that Vista is superior, you really have to read between the lines. The average Joes in the commercials are even joined by a few celebrities for the Windows Pity Party, though their presence doesn’t really do much. For example: Eva Longoria Parker. Her Desperate Housewives character has transformed from an ex-model hottie into a dumpy, overweight, combative suburban nightmare. Makes Jerry Seinfeld practically sparkle in comparison, no?

I’m a Mac…

Apple commercials, a least in the beginning, were all about highlighting functionality and explaining why the Mac was a better choice. Early ads focused on how Macs were ready out of the box, and the easy use of popular peripherals. Apple’s ads answered a question: “Why get a Mac?” By anthropomorphising the computers, it was simply easier to demonstrate that iMovie was better than Windows tools. Later ads took aim at specific flaws in Vista—the complicated array of Vista versions, lack of easy migration from XP to Vista, etc. But the ads still answered the “Why get a Mac?” question. 

This tight focus seems lacking in the latest ads: “Bean Counter” and “The ‘V’ Word.”  In losing that focus, has Apple gone too far? Are the ads tit-for-tat mudslinging a lá political smear ads? Or, has Apple merely stepped it up—first berating the failings of Vista, and now pointing out larger, more systemic failings at the core of Microsoft’s OS design/marketing approach? With a track record of flashy adverts and little of software substance, the charge rings alarmingly true. Microsoft often takes a “market the hell out of it, even if it stinks” approach. Apple’s latest ads do not answer the basic “why” question, though they do cause viewers to ponder other very important questions: “Has Microsoft really given up on Vista” and “Wouldn’t that money be better spent fixing Vista?”

What do you think? Has Microsoft given up on Vista, and launched a senseless ad campaign? Or is there a distinction to their ads that, like a fine wine, requires a more subtle appreciation? And, has Apple strayed too far in their advertising? Sound off in the comments below!

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Apple has put out new Get a Mac ads, one directly countering Microsoft’s “I’m a PC” ads.

“Bean Counter” opens on PC sitting at a table with a green visor on, dealing out a pile of money into two stacks, one for advertising, one for fixing Vista. The advertising stack is much larger than the Vista stack, which only has three bill-bundles in it. Mac asks PC if that is really enough money for fixing Vista’s issues, and hilarity ensues when PC decides that Mac is right and moves all the money over to the advertising pile.

BONUS FUN TIMES: Watch PC’s stack of bills. While he is dealing them out, the stacks remain the same, with five on the left and three on the right, despite the fact that PC moves at least two bundles during this time. Then, after the camera cuts away to the Mac, and back to PC again, the stacks are mysteriously equal, though during this time, PC has not moved a single bill. Consistency, folks.

“V Word” opens on PC standing with a buzzer in his hand, buzzing out every time Mac says Vista. PC says instead of “the V word,” they will use a name with much less baggage, “Windows.” Mac says that Windows is Vista, and when PC buzzes him, he proceeds to say Vista over and over and PC cannot keep up.

Bean Counter:

The V Word

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The “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” Apple ads have now been around for quite some time, and we all laugh every time a new one comes out. A new website, And I’m a Mac, is simpler than the Apple ads themself, and lets anyone write up a “I have the power to revolutionize the world, and I’m a Mac” phrase for the site. The site lets Mac fanboys show why they loving using a Mac, and lets PC fanboys come and trash the Mac. After each page refresh you’ll find a new phrase, I did that a bunch of times and came up with a few favourites:

I designed the new Vista interface, AND I’M A MAC.

CMD Q != Alt F4 , AND I’M A MAC.

I don’t have to click a button to start, AND I’M A MAC.

Or from the other side:

No IT department will support me, AND I’M A MAC.

I like beach balls, AND I’M A MAC.

I over pay for hardware, AND I’M A MAC.

The site was inspired by the popular “When Obama Wins”  and “And I’m a PC” sites, both of which are filled with tons of submissions.

Where’s your iPhone Microsoft, AND I’M A MAC.

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Videos mocking and showing off Apple and its products have been on YouTube forever, but just recently (September 25th, 2008), a channel claiming to be the official channel has showen up on the web. The Official Apple’s Youtube channel on the popular video sharing site YouTube looks rather skeptical. Apple generally doesn’t join other sites, so this may not be theirs. And, with the backround picture, it doesn’t look too conviencing. If Apple was to join YouTube, or if this really is their channel, they could use it to put up tutorials and ad campaigns, and even host a VLog. Currently, the channel hosts 25 videos, but we would expect many more since these went up in the first few days.

Apple has a huge cult following, and this is already the #2 most subscribed this week and #33 most subscribed this month. But, if this actually was their channel, I’d think there’d be more subscribers. Though aside from channel subscribers, the most viewed video only has 884 views as of September 28th, 2008. The comments are aren’t too bad compared to usual YouTube video comments that trash the video. It’ll be interesting to see how Apple deals with the comments in the future when the channel rises in popularity, or if they ever make a YouTube channel.

Read [YouTube]

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The Ballmer brigade up there in Redmond really are shameless. The irony is almost as hilarious as it is ridiculous.

For those who don’t know, Microsoft recently ended their short lived Jerry Seinfeld campaign, and started a new campaign featuring a John Hodgeman look-alike and various other people ranging from celebrities like Eva Longoria and Deepak Chopra, to ordinary joes, to Microsoft chairman Bill Gates himself.

Microsoft is hoping that their new, more direct response to Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign will help revitalize the Windows brand’s tarnished image.

Strange, because Microsoft doesn’t seem to think their products are all that great for video and image editing themselves, as they’ve admitted to creating their latest ad on a Mac after meta-data from the “I’m a PC” website revealed that images on it had been created on a Mac using a Adobe Creative Suite.

Microsoft released a statement claiming “as is common in almost all campaign workflow, agencies and production houses use a wide variety of software and hardware to create, edit and distribute content, including both Macs and PCs.”

They did this, and then they washed the meta-data from the images on their site.

Check out the “I’m a PC” ad below.

Via [The New York Post] and [Gizmodo]

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Microsoft gave Seinfeld the boot and has released two new commercials: “I’m a PC: Pride” and “I’m a PC: Not Alone.” In just these first two commercials, Microsoft still isn’t talking about the benefits of Vista? Instead, after viewing the commercial, I now realize anyone can own a Microsoft computer, regardless of your race, gender, profession, political views, or country. Like we didn’t know that before? Why is Microsoft not telling us why we need Vista?

You would think with the beating Apple has given Microsoft in its Mac vs PC commercials that when Microsoft, the sleeping giant, finally roused itself to take swipe at Apple, it would actually come out swinging. At least, that is what many thought when Microsoft announced that it was sinking a cool $300 million on commercials. Thus far, we haven’t seen it. 

In the first two ads we find Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates meeting up in Shoe Circus, and they are talking about shoes. What the ...? The next commercial showed Seinfeld and Gates connecting with “regular folks” by setting up residence (although temporarily) in a family home. They quickly became involved with the family politics (got to connect with regular folk, remember), but we still had no clue about the benefits of Microsoft Vista.

It would have been great if Microsoft’s commercials showed us how the PC users used Vista to enhance their work. We didn’t see that. Or, how about telling us what outstanding features Microsoft Vista offers that clearly outperform Apple? We didn’t see it in this commercial (number three), nor in number four (I’m a PC: Not Alone), but I guess we still have time to see what Microsoft has to say, right? Microsoft still has money to burn, so hopefully it will finally get around to telling us why we should own a PC. Then again, perhaps Microsoft doesn’t think they have to try as hard. When it comes to computers, Microsoft is still king of the hill.

I’m a Mac and a PC and soon to be a Linux. What did you think of Microsoft’s commercial? Are they effective? Let us know in the comment section.

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The TV show Seinfeld was about nothing, and the ads Microsoft ran featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld seemed to follow the same theme.

Now, CrunchGear is reporting that Microsoft is ditching Seinfeld. Sorry folks, we won’t be seeing any additional commercials of Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. The problem is that the ads, for the most part, confused people, as Microsoft apparently forgot to clue people in on just what the commercials were about. I found the first commercial puzzling, as I was expecting it to focus on why users should purchase Windows Vista over Macs. Instead, the first commercial was set in a shoe store, and focused on shoes. Err…what? Vista wasn’t even mentioned. Was Microsoft’s point that even though we don’t always think about a good pair of shoes, they are essential and reliable, just like Microsoft?

I found it interesting that Seinfeld was even chosen for the ads. In his popular show of the same name, Seinfeld had a Mac displayed in his apartment. And, over the years, his Mac was upgraded. In fact, a 20th anniversary Mac made an appearance on the show. Seinfeld also appeared in Apple’s think different ad campaign. Obviously, Seinfeld was a switcher. Not that there is anything wrong with that…

Personally I was looking forward to seeing all the ads along with the two that aired. I was interested to see Microsoft’s comeback to the extremely popular Mac vs. PC commercials. So, what does Microsoft have in store for us now? The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft will feature a look alike John Hodgman, aka the PC guy from the Mac vs. PC commercials (Hodgman happens to be a Mac user in real life). Others making an appearance on the new commercials will be Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra, and Pharrell Williams. I’m looking forward to the new Microsoft commercials, and hopefully this time we’ll actually understand what they’re trying to say.

Via [CrunchGear]

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For those of you who remember the events of the late ‘80s, have a sizable wallet, and have a thing for vintage Apple Computers, this is just the thing for you. My Old Mac has an article detailing the need for a buyer for the original artwork from the 1987 Swedish Mac SE ad campaign. The works were painted by Erik Saxen in the same year as the ads, and were done mostly in oil. The paintings feature many different artistic subjects, and all of them incorporate a Macintosh SE into some element of the painting.  The seller would prefer that the works remain together, but if that is not possible they will be sent to an auction house to the likes of Christies’ or Sotheby’s.

Via MacNN

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There’s never a lack of things to do for the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority. For instance, very recently they had to deal with the very pressing matter of banning an ad that was already off the air.

It all began when two

concerned citizens brought the ad to the attention of the ASA. It was an ad for the Apple iPhone and it advertised the fact that the iPhone offers the full internet at your fingertips. Their concern was that, as the iPhone doesn’t offer Flash or Java, it doesn’t, in fact, offer the full internet. The ASA agreed, and said that the ad must not be broadcast again in its current form. Which is a shame for the ASA, considering they wasted so much time banning an ad for the original iPhone, a product that doesn’t exist anymore, and thus, neither do ads for it.

I hope the ASA feels good about their accomplishment. I know I’m grateful.

Via [MacDailyNews]

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The crap parade continues down the street of Apple advertisements, as Apple releases three new iPhone 3G ads that suck even more than the first batch. They are all the same voice over: “This is how you enter the App Store. And this is how you browse over 1,000 new apps. And this is how you download one, right to your phone. And this is when you realize, this is going to change everything.” The difference between the three exists solely in the app they download; Cro Mag Rally in one, Vicinity in another, and Lonely Planet English to Mandarin Phrasebook.

These ads seem so, so rushed, they’re almost painful to watch, knowing how good the original iPhone’s ads were. “And this is when you realize, this is going to change everything??” What does that even mean? Did you just need another “and this” sentence that had a revolutionary feel? Take a little more time, Apple. You are the only company whose ads I actually seek out to watch, and you are quickly losing that with these latest ads.

Watch [Vicinity | Cro Mag | Lonely Planet]

Full Story » | Written by Adam Fisher-Cox for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

So, imagine this: you are a huge software company. You make one of the two major comsumer operating systems. Your competitor has a highly successful ad campaign that for two years has been beating your product up. The competitor’s sales are growing steadily, while yours are slowing. You decide it’s enough already, and you are going to invest lots of money in a rebuttal campaign. So how should this campaign work?

Microsoft’s idea is to hire a comedian who was relevant in the mid-90’s, and bring back their middle-aged computer whiz founder: Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. That should stack up well against John Hodgman and Justin Long.

Microsoft has invested $300 million in a new set of ads to combat the popular “Get A Mac” ads. Jerry Seinfeld was brought in for a mere $10 mil, and Bill Gates, out of the kindness of his heart, we assume. In theory, this new campaign has epic fail written all over it, but I won’t scoff too much yet…I’ll wait for September 4th, when the ad campaign launches.

Full Story » | Written by Adam Fisher-Cox for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Apple has released three new Get A Mac ads into the wild, along with a slight redesign of its Get A Mac website.

In “Pizza Box,” PC notes that Mac is the number one selling brand on college campuses, and so, to combat, he tries to lure college students in with the promise of free pizza.

In “Throne,” PC reminds Mac that he is king of the OS world, and so banishes Mac from his land.

In “Calming Teas,” PC decides that instead of fixing problems with Windows, what Vista users need are teas to calm their anger at Vista’s flaws.

These ads, aimed at the back-to-school market, are some of the better ones of the campaign.

Watch [Get A Mac Ads]

Full Story » | Written by Adam Fisher-Cox for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »