Playing to the CEO’s Vanity

There’s an old tactic in the advertising and public relations agency business that when all else fails, play directly to the CEO’s vanity.  Usually works to get the business and make money (especially if the CEO has a big ego and is loaded with dough) but seldom produces any meaningful results.

Well, in the case of Microsoft’s bum operating system Vista, nothing has worked to engender consumer acceptance, primarily because it’s a terribly flawed computer operating system. So, the ad agency talked Bill Gates into starring in a series of expensive TV ads with Jerry Seinfeld. A tactic as old as the hills. The gimmick is costing Microsoft $300-million and created by the ad agency of Crispin Porter + Bogusky.

The ads are both painful to watch and condescending to average folks, like you and me. Here’s the second in the series:

Related posts:

1. Good Headlines, Bad Headlines
2. Microsoft Flim-Flam
3. Secret Apples
4. Microsoft: Moist & Chewy Vista?

Category: Reputation management