Microsoft to Intercept Apple Store patrons at The Door!

[ayzee]

I was just happily walking to my local apple store at Birmingham bullring, and to my surprise microsoft have set up a whopping big stall right outside, how rude! Apparantly they are looking for people to film to be apart of their "I'm a pc commercials" and marketing. I said no thanks.

I'm quite surprised how aggressive microsoft are getting, even here in the uk. Microsoft seem to be admitting that the apple brand is really growing in strength. But it just seems a little desperate to me.



If the pictures aren't showing here, there also on my blog

 

[benthewraith]

I love how the lady is eagle-eyeing the competition. She's just watching people walk in and out of the Apple Store.

I would probably go along with it though, if only to help her keep her job. Its not her fault for the location Micro$oft picked.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Its not rude, it's called freedom. So what if they do this. You thnk Apple wouldn't do it themselves in a heartbeat? They did start the whole "I'm a mac I'm a pc" bs.

 

[chilipie]

I'm hoping the staff at the Apple store go and sign up to be in a Microsoft advert

 

[Arran]

... it just seems a little desperate to me...

Dumb. If they want to recruit PC users, they picked the wrong place. It's like trying to recruit fat people (for a new slimming-product advert) outside a salad-bar.

Unless they're just trying to be obnoxious?

 

[dejo]

Just oblige them.

"Lights. Camera. Action."

"I'm a PC, and I'm also a Mac. I, too, can run Vis--buzz, I mean Windows."

 

[Arran]

Its not rude, it's called freedom...

Indeed. Freedom to shoot yourself in the foot!

Maybe "rude" isn't the right word. "Ill considered", perhaps? Politicians know all about that

Anyway, it's nice to see Apple getting some traction in the UK. I lived in the UK many years ago. If you wanted to buy Apple back then, you had to drive miles to a tatty warehouse in some god-forsaken "industrial estate". No car meant no Apple! I've recently visited a couple of the new UK stores and the change is breathtaking. Don't know why it took so long.

 

[redgeie]

you can actually see me right outside the pc booth in that picture, (blond guy with back facing camera), the PC girls banned me from going in and saying "i'm a pc, and i break down every two minutes"

 

[Kebabselector]

Not too sure if the location is intentional. It's a location where all temporary pitches of this size go. Quite often you'll see a car or a stall giving away free stuff from this location. There is another larger area to do the same, but I guess in terms of footfall this is probably the best (as it's the entrance most people use - Identified by a large bull).

 

[bartelby]

The impression I get from that is that Microsoft looks pathetic next to Apple.

Imagine someone who doesn't know the computer market walks through the Bullring and sees that.

 

[kkat69]

The impression I get from that is that Microsoft looks pathetic next to Apple.

Same here. It's not like it's a computer expo, and they DO have the freedom to do it as long as they aren't being disruptive to the stores sales, but... it makes Microsoft look more pathetic (IMO) than does Apple in the "Im a mac/Im a PC" ads. Not that I'm saying Apple makes themselves look pathetic with those ads, I find them humorous, in fact my wife watching them started asking questions and from that, wanted one so I got her her MB so those ads DO work. The "Im a PC - and I look like I haven't showered since I lost my job and been living off the street" ads just made several PC users I know laugh at them.

Actually to me it makes them look like major vultures.

 

[chagla]

you can actually see me right outside the pc booth in that picture, (blond guy with back facing camera), the PC girls banned me from going in and saying "i'm a pc, and i break down every two minutes"

i'm sorry if you had difficulty operating a pc. it's actually very easy. my 9 year old cousin is operating one and it does not break every two minutes.

 

[derryquinn]

Microsoft to Intercept Apple Store patrons at The Door!

[BEGIN THREAD MERGE -- mkrishnan]

[Via Gimodo | http://gizmodo.com/5072542/microsoft-parks-im-a-pc-recording-kiosks-outside-apple-stores ]

It appears that Microsoft is starting to get more aggressive with that $300 million marketing blitz. The new tactic? Setting up large kiosks outside Apple stores where visitors can record their own "I'm a PC" video...a trio of Microsoft staffers will attempt to intercept Apple store patrons and convert them over the course of the next few days...

Here's a pic from a store in England:

I think this is taking it too far, and simply tacky and cheap. It's not like Microsoft need more marketshare and have to take it from Apple...That's what I don't understand.

 

[CBGFilms]

AGHH!!! THAT ANNOYS ME SO MUCH!

I hate it how Microsoft has to be so spiteful about it!! That I'm a PC crap is stupid, I mean Macs are PCs ALSO! PERSONAL COMPUTERS!!!

 

[Tofaha]

its wayyyy too close to the door

 

[mkrishnan]

I hate it how Microsoft has to be so spiteful about it!! That I'm a PC crap is stupid, I mean Macs are PCs ALSO! PERSONAL COMPUTERS!!!

Yes, I can't believe they would respond to a negative advertising campaign (albeit a good one)...with... positive advertising. I'm aghast. Shocked and dismayed, really. Next thing you know, they'll be planting flowers and sitting in circles singing songs.

P.S. In case you haven't been to Earth recently, the "I'm a PC" (as opposed to a Mac) thing came from Apple.

Putting it right in the doorway is tacky. But calling the advertising campaign spiteful in ostensible support of Apple is hypocritical. And nonsensical.

 

[NT1440]

LOL I'm waiting for this to backfire. I really doubt anyone that has intent to go into the apple store is really willing to be persuaded by some folks at a kiosk. If anything they'd end up chasing ME INTO the apple store just to get away from them.

 

[derryquinn]

Also I just noticed, it says "Life without walls" on the wall of the kiosk

As many have said, if there's no walls, why do we need windows...but that kiosk has walls, and no windows, except one big opening with no door...sounds like quite the security flaw...

Maybe they should change Windows 7 to Big Gaping Hole 7

 

[derryquinn]

Woops...

Well wouldn't ya know, the story comes from our very own forum member ayzee

Continue Discussion at his thread over at his (or her) thread

 

[IJ Reilly]

I don't know how this goes over in the UK, but I suspect if it was tried in the States that Apple would complain to the mall management about the placement. Microsoft can make the case for their products any way they like, but I think a line is crossed when a kiosk is set up right in front of the door of a retailer which says, in effect "don't go in there."

 

[scotty96LSC]

This just shows me that MS has to try anything to turn things around.

 

[Berlepsch]

I think Apple should organize a cake sale next to the MS booth.

 

[Floris]

lol,
you just know steve jobs killed someone today over this.

 

[synth3tik]

I think it is worse that Apple has bought up all the ad space around the Mag Mile store in Chicago. I mean after leaving the Apple store I don't want to look at a bus stop with the oozing iPods.

 

[derryquinn]

I think Apple should organize a cake sale next to the MS booth.

Epic.