Microsoft goes after Google with humor (that actually worked)
When it comes to funny competitive attack commercials, many have tried and failed to capture the magic of “I’m a Mac”. Microsoft was finally able to put out a cute (not hilarious, but point made) video taking a jab at Google services that will be competing against Microsoft Office 365.
Introducing Gmail Man. The video does make some good points that many people know but that most try to ignore. Google has and probably always will algorithmically comb our emails in an effort to serve more relevant ads on their email service. It’s a controversial practice that Google has been able to sidestep for years. Microsoft is calling them on it nicely.
According to Amy Vernon at Network World, “The entire point of this video isn’t so much out of concern for the public as it is to pimp out its new Office 365 suite, meant to compete directly with Google Apps.”
It’s a valiant effort. Will they truly be able to cast doubt on Google’s more dubious practices?
As if anyone would believe that Microsoft aren’t doing the same things…just without telling you. I don’t mind those ads showing up on my free GMail account, because I’m not naive enough to know that ALL email can be read and intercepted unless you’re on an incredibly secure system. And even those emails can be read if you’re part of a criminal investigation, so…pretty much everything you send electronically is possible to be snooped upon. I’d be more worried about a company that has a virtual monopoly on PC operating systems, PC wp programs, spreadsheets, and…wait…
The best advertisement they could come up with for the Office 365 product was about how they make money off of you different than Gmail?
Needs better jingle. If this gets stuck in my head, it will not be in a good way and it barely says what the ad is for. How do the the Apple ads start? “Hello, I’m a Mac.” First things first. Needs different actor who looks less frightening. Target must be people already using MS office products or businesses considering going to GMail for company mail.