Consumer Car Buying Advice Blog

A new series of commercials, featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, gives Microsoft’s image a much-needed lift.

Something else completely different

I’ve said it before: here at Auto Credit Express, we’re very serious about your FICO score and credit repair, but on days like today with the stock market in a swoon and the remains of hurricane Ike still pelting down from the sky, it seemed like a little levity was in order. This isn’t without precedent (we discussed the Capital One All-American Mascot competition a few weeks ago), so let’s discuss the latest odd couple in advertising, Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld.

It all started in Detroit

While companies have always used high-profile entertainers to endorse products, it should be pointed out that the Lee Iacocca is largely responsible for corporate honchos appearing in commercials to re-build the corporate image. Back in the ’80′s, Iacocca brought Chrysler back from the brink with a series of commercials that ended with the line, “if you can find a better car, buy it.”

VIEW THE FULL COMMERCIAL

The Bill and Jerry Show

Both television and the ad business have changed in the past quarter century and the current ad campaign by Microsoft seeks to take advantage of the current trend in reality shows.

The first ad, an introduction to the series, takes place in a shopping mall when Seinfeld spies Gates shopping for a pair of shoes at discount outlet “Shoe Circus”. While paying for a pair of “Conquistadors”, the clerk asks Gates if he is a “Clown Club Member”. Bill produces the requisite ID card complete with his picture as a twenty-something geek. As they leave, Seinfeld ask him what he gets with the card and Gates replies,” big top points.”
The second ad is even more hilarious, with Jerry and Bill seated around a dinner table somewhere in suburbia surrounded by a middle class family, having dinner with them. Referring to the dinner, Bill remarks to Jerry, “didn’t we have this last night?” Once back in their shared bedroom, Gates asks Seinfeld to remind him why they’re doing this.
Seinfeld states, “Why, Bill, because as we discussed you and I are a little out of it. You’re living in some kind of moon house hovering over Seattle like the mother ship. I got so many cars I get stuck in my own traffic. We need to reconnect with real people.”

The ads include Bill Gates doing a robot dance, reading bedtime stories and being accused of stealing a leather giraffe that has been in the family for six years.

The Microsoft Connection

The spot ends with Seinfeld stating, “Bill, you’ve connected over a billion people. I can’t help wondering what’s next.” If this is any indication of what’s coming up, neither can we.

Tags: FICO score

This entry was posted and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.