RSSMicrosoft's Windows 7 House Party prep video is a real party pooper
By Joe Wilcox | Published September 24, 2009, 1:56 PM
Sometimes buzz is the last thing a company should want.
Microsoft's lame Windows House Party prep video is the rage of the Web right now -- and that's not good. I refrained from blogging yesterday but have been called to action. This morning, Interpret's Michael Gartenberg tweeted: "How have you not weighed in on the House Party videos? Are you just laughing too hard... We need some JW analysis here please." OK. OK. I'll break my silence.
The House Party video is so bad I hurled not laughed. It is godawful disgusting marketing. Two days ago, I received my Windows 7 House Party confirmation. But I'm now seriously -- and I do mean seriously -- thinking about cancelling. If this video is Microsoft's idea of a party, whoa -- I don't want to be a lame-ass by association. These people make even the weirdest geeks seem cool, by comparison.
There's something about the baddness that reminds me of Internet Explorer 8 videos with actor Dean Cain (You remember the handsome, Princeton graduate turned TV Superman?). One video featured a woman hurling, which, again, was my reaction to the Windows 7 House Party prep video.
Gartenberg later tweeted: "Just show your guests a few of the Win 7 Orientation videos. You'll never worry about having friends over again."
What really scares me: The video is so 1950s bad and boring, I wonder if there is some hidden revelation about Microsoft corporate culture. It's all so staid, so contained, so contrived. Do you see any characteristics in this video that remind of some Microsoft products? Gulp, I do. Please give your answers in comments.
After hitting so many marketing homers -- "The Rookies," "Laptop Hunters," and "Bing" -- the Windows 7 House Party prep video is a pop out. It's like counter-marketing. Boring video. Boring people. Boring party. And by association, boring Windows 7. You can turn off the clock and go back to sleep now. There's nothing worth getting up for here.
Microsoft does want to generate excitement around Windows 7 -- or did I miss something? The intro video should be exciting and tuned to the audience. Exactly who does Microsoft think is signing up for these parties anyway? Geeks are what I see, and this video is oh-so not for them.
One of my regular readers and an IM buddy is Puppet, a 12th-year student from Australia. Puppet is a big Microsoft fan. He was super enthused to sign for a party and to be chosen. For Puppet (not his real name, of course), the Windows 7 House Party approaches geek nirvana. It will be in a sense his graduation party, too. "It's the day after my last day of school ever," he told me over IM. Puppet finishes high school next month.
I'll make a plug here for Puppet. He's looking for a PC manufacturer to provide some gear for his party. Would you like to help him out? If I were a Microsoft marketer, Outlook would be open already and an email half-written to Puppet. What better marketing than a teenage geek who loves Microsoft products celebrating his high school graduation with a Windows 7 party? Puppet already has gained a little local celebrity status for being chosen to host a party: "Tupperware tactics to push New Windows 7."
Tupperware. Tupperware. Mmm, that's the problem with that damn Windows 7 House Party prep video. It's more like a Tupperware party instructional. Windows 7 Tupperware provides containers for all your stuff. Photos go into this plastic pop-top. Movies require this liter-size container. For your music, there is compartmentalized storage. Torrent downloads go here. Zune Pass tracks go there. That tiny box is for iTunes music you foolishly paid for. All this Tupperware can be yours for free with Windows 7.
Perhaps, just perhaps there is method to the madness -- or so I can hope. Microsoft kicked off its $300 million Windows marketing campaign with those insanely stupid Bill and Jerry commercials -- as in Microsoft cofounder Gates and comedian Seinfeld. They were so bad, everything that followed seemed good. Could that really be Microsoft's objective here?
For now, I just don't know about holding a Windows 7 House Party. Party hosters, you do realize that Microsoft will use your uploaded pictures and movies for marketing purposes? Wouldn't you just die if the Microsoft marketing makeover made you look like the people in the video? There are geeks, and then there are freaks.
Speaking of freaks, here is the obligatory link to the altered video everyone is laughing about. It's really funny, but even worse party buzz for Microsoft marketers.
ROFL!!!!! Cnet really ripped Microsoft a new one with their video response: http://cnettv.cnet.com/s...9742-1_53-50077452.html
Microsoft is such a lame company that is slowly becoming more and more irrelevant. Vista 7 will not save this goofy company. Time to smarten up people and get a Mac. In fact after watching that abomination of a video you should be running to get a Mac!
Score: 1
|last i checked the operating system market went a little like this,
Windows being the most used, followed by linux, then Mac, if you get ultra specific and include all operating systems linux/unix and variations tightly compete with windows but mac still falls way behind, this comes to the mac being overly priced, and the fact you can only legally and properly get the most of your mac os on a mac machine, many of the programs for a mac are expensive but the equivalent is also same for windows the only diffrence windows is heavly adopted, afor business, gaming and specialised business uses, while mac simply is not, the only way to do more and better things with a machine is to go linux and open source, the attitude to go mac is like saying lets all dump tooth brushs for mougthwash coz its cooler and quicker even if it costs your more and may not do the job "for business's mostly" that you would wish it to
Score: 0
|I setup my party page. Do we actually get a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate in the mail?
Score: -2
|That's my understanding, probably with your party pack a few days before the event.
Score: -2
|You have to get approved. This is what I got...
Congratulations! You are confirmed as a Windows® 7 Launch Party host.
Windows® 7 is about to launch worldwide, but you’ll be receiving a limited Signature Edition of Windows® 7, before the worldwide release date.
Relax, this is a party, not a sales presentation, and you’ll get the most out of it by checking out the Host Help Videos and going to the Windows 7 Launch Party.
Just choose a party theme from Setting Up With Ease, Family Friendly Fun, Media Mania, or PhotoPalooza — you’ll find them fun, full of great Windows® 7 tips, and they will get you well on your way to becoming a Windows® 7 expert. Your guests will appreciate that. You can also watch the videos for all the themes so you can show your guests whatever interest them.
Get into the party spirit and be the first to upload photos and videos, and post comments to PartyTalk™, the House Party blog.
It’s time to invite your guests!
Use the FREE Guest Manager tool on your party site to quickly send invitations via email for the party theme you choose. Then your guests can join your online site when they RSVP.
Also remember to tell your guests to visit your exclusive party site. There will be lots of info to share.
So.. There is your answer..
Score: -1
|MS Marketing - an oxymoron. I was accepted for a party and I have no intention of actually using any of this. I just want the free Win7. I will have a party and will talk about Win7 and may even give a free copy to show someone. But I'm guessing good wine and music will take center stage.
Score: -1
|Sounds classy. That's not worth promoting?
Score: -2
|It will be classy! Then again, anyone who ignores that video should be able to pull off something more interesting than what MS Marketing had in mind. I've been very nervous about Win7 marketing because I think it's the greatest OS ever written and sold by the worst marketers ever assembled. 1st ad I saw was that little girl trying to make Windows look easy. But the editing of the video didn't show anyone that it was easy and the content made it look like Win7 would be aimed at kids. They had a similar ad some months ago that was very effective. I really want for them not to blow this one.
Getting back to the idea of Win7 parties. They'll be successful simply because MS won't have content control. I know I'm supposed to be shipped some media to help. I won't know if it'll have any value. It's pretty clear to anyone holding a party that you're not bound to do anything by the book and that's why these should go well.
Score: 0
|I think is to be really really stoned to appreciate this video. Then you will have the judgement necessary to buy Win7 (and eat a bunch of brownies).
Score: 0
|Windows 7 will rule and we all know endangered os--snow leopard is a flop!
Score: -2
|I think you are all missing the point.
I see a great drinking game here:
Every time the blonde says "right" you have to take a shot.
Seriously, I lost count.
Score: 5
|are you the stupid windows is getting max ,where linex is ever inproveing not much of a choice
Score: -14
|WTF!!!
Score: 0
|I would say it would seem Microsoft KNOWS exactly what it's doing by making these videos so lame... I haven't been to one tech site that's not had this very same video imbedded right on the front page. Seems like some damn good marketing on Microsofts part, everyone signed up, and about a couple thousand people are going to be getting a FREE copy of Win 7 Sig. Edition in the mail :) The Apple fanboys might hate it, But Win 7 is getting ready to take over the internet, if not the world :)
Score: 0
|I was staggered by that video.
Staggered.
Not only was it badly acted, badly written and a downright stupid idea, but at no point did they show what the hell they were going on about actually on the computer.
I much prefer this rehash.
Score: -1
|"It's all so staid, so contained, so contrived."
Don't you get it? That's what makes it so funny! Like one of the old educational short films we used to see in school (probably before your time), the films and the people in them were as square as could be but hilarious. All it needs is the MST3K guys in the corner to complete the picture! ;)
No matter; Windows 7 is terrific and will succeed in spite of those with no sense of humor. :)
Score: 0
|Yeah, and have you seen the latest tv ad alluding to Windows 7 as another BOB OS with the kids cartoon game and trying to make out like Windows 7 is fun for kids. Like we are all just little children that need take our mother's advice and swallow our cod liver oil.
This reminds me of the car commercials that really say that Our Customers are Stupid Idiots And That Is Why They Buy Our Vehicles. I wonder why anyone would buy something from them.
Despite what you may think, I am a big Win7 fan and Vista hater. But after seeing these 2 ads, I am rethinking that we should boycott MS until they first mature and then become more intelligent in their approach to their customers and the way they advertise this exciting new version of Windows.
Score: -7
|"Despite what you may think, I am a big Win7 fan and Vista hater. But after seeing these 2 ads, I am rethinking that we should boycott MS until they first mature and then become more intelligent in their approach to their customers and the way they advertise this exciting new version of Windows."
That logic would indicate you think the Mac commercials are mature - NOT'
Score: -1
|They all need black turtle necks and jeans to emulate the real boring stuff!.
Score: 4
|That was classic. Love it ;)
Score: 2
|I bet the old lady invited the young black man.
Why not throw a Mexican and an Asian for good luck?
Score: -3
|"Can you believe that Microsoft put the launch of Windows 7 in OUR hands? Are they nuts or what?"
No. No I cannot.
And Yes. Yes they are.
Score: -1
|The older blond woman reminds me of either Hillary Clinton, or Jean Enerson. If you are from Seattle, you'll know who I am talking about. Apologies to both Hillary and Jean. They are both much more interesting to listen to.
Score: -4
|I can agree on Jean Enerson, But Hillary voice is like Fingernails accross a chalk board.
Score: 0
|you're going to cancel your party, based on some bad/boring ad? yes, i can admit, it ain't a great ad, feels like its from the 90s ;P its really no surprise though, from many of your previous articles you're easily manipulated
i'm not having a huge party, just a hand full of pals, mine is more of a Windows 7 Horror Fest setup with projector and much beer, we may actually take the setup to work so more folks can watch, don't tell the MPAA
so yeah, won't be a hugely exciting party, i will show off some features of 7, i have some laugh-out-loud YouTube videos selected for show to get the ball rolling ;) allows me to show off some of 7's task management... whoa wait, my party sounds like the ad? lol horrible, i'll deal
so yeah, while you're having a lonely night alone, guess i'll be having fun watching some Horror classics and showing off 7 ;D
some might call me a freak? or a very weird nerd, i don't really care ;P Microsoft gets nothing from my launch party as its not registered with them
Score: 0
|Wow, this explains a lot.
Score: -6
|i agree. i was gobsmacked when i watched that video... it's hard enough getting people to come to this thing but then to have that as a 'resource'?? sigh
Score: -2
|Ahhh - but it got you talking about W7. Heck yeah it lame - its supposed to be! I am not even a MS guy, but here I am writing a reply about something I have no intention of even doing.
Good job MS marketing machine- other companies should take note. Nice one!
Score: -1
|They said install W7 couple days before, thats funny the upgrade can take couple days yes.
Score: -4
|It seems like no one here has ever been forced to watch work videos for things like safety. They are just as bad if not worse. The videos are really for the non-tech people who are just simple Windows enthusiasts. Most of them just as hokey as the video, I've met a few.
Score: 0
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