Comments on: Microsoft marketing geniuses at work again

By: Civisi

Civisi — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:40:13 +0000

We read left to right. The question is, “Which do you remember: the first item you see or the last item?”

Regardless, there should be a newer Zune in that picture. It’s probably the only Zune the photographer could get ahold of, which leads me to believe it was a Ford-driven promotion without input from Microsoft.

By: Adam Stafford

Adam Stafford — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:48:53 +0000

Anytime a company establishes such contracts they establish such caveats and clauses in the contract that says the terms of the contract. In this case its Microsoft's technology that is being promoted and they would have exclusivity in the technology however I think they realize that it would not be a selling point if it only worked with Zune. Which Im sure Ford said they wouldn't do they deal unless it had additional compatibility. Microsoft should have not only maintained that the Zune be more commonly pronounced in the ads (also including the iPods) but additionally include that the advertising for the product continue to show the latest version of thier device. This is a a Ford marketing website but they [Microsoft] could and should have done a better job.

By: pocketDragon

pocketDragon — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:43:29 +0000

Well… just to play devil’s advocate. This looks to be a Ford site, so Microsoft may have limited control over the details in the ad. Also notice it’s not the latest Zune (or ipod for that matter). That said I’d like to see Microsoft exercise more control of their image with their partners. However, just because I wish it doesn’t make it easy or necessarily prudent to do so. Relationships are tricky things.

By: Tablet PC User

Tablet PC User — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:30:05 +0000

I’ll throw them a bone and say they are putting it in alphabetical order hence “i” before “z”.

Otherwise, MSFT REALLY needs to fire their marketing team. Right now any bum on the street will do a better job since they will really want to work (well…most bums will want to work).