Jerry Seinfeld And Bill Gates' Microsoft Ads Being Pulled

Microsoft is preparing to pull its TV ads featuring comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft's co-founder and chairman Bill Gates.

Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw said the end of the Seinfeld ads was planned well in advance, and wasn't coming in response to any criticism of the spots. "All along we said we were having a teaser campaign," he said. "We're getting ready to start the second phase. This was the plan all along."

The news, broken this afternoon by Valleywag, comes just days after Microsoft aired the latest in the series of commercials, produced by Crispin Porter + Bogusky, featuring the two men in comic situations. The ads have been largely panned as a strained effort on the software giant's part to not only promote Windows but also portray Microsoft as cool and in touch with regular consumers -- basically, to counter the stodgy image painted in Apple's "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads.

Seinfeld, who reportedly received $10 million for his efforts, was a superstar in the 1990s with his hit show. Using him now, in 2008, only added to Microsoft's image as being behind the times, critics said.

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Comments

[toochie]

Didn't Jerry have a Mac in his apartment during the Seinfeld episodes. I guess I could be flipped for $10 million, but I would still sneak my Mac on the side.

[onlinesavant]

I liked the commercials!

[javaman]

When an ad exec says the are "pulling" an ad campaign, it's because it was awful. When they say "it's run its course" then you know it was actually finished.

bottom line, the ads were horrifically awful.

[NoOtherWay]

Not funny. Not interesting. Nothing.

[AERO]

Maybe they should get Seinfeld's wife to steal some good ads from somebody else for them to use.

[mookworthjwilson]

Hmm...I actually kinda thought they were funny in an absurdist kinda way...they worked better as entertainment than actually getting me to buy anything though...

[unclesmedley]

exactly

[sherardg]

I look at the ads and my response is wtf ?

[ResistanceisFutile]

Dork City!