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Mac and PC engage in Office politics

Posted on May. 1, ’08, 9:09 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Apple » Advertising

Office for MacThe incorrigible duo of Mac and PC are back again, this time in another web banner ad. Spotted on TIME’s site, the banner continues the outside the box thinking we’ve seen in previous web ads (I’d call it breaking the fourth wall, but it’s more like breaking the fifth wall at this point). The subject this time? Mac’s ability to run Office 2008.

PC’s trying to hide that fact from his users, lamenting that pretty soon they’ll start asking if PCs can do anything Macs can’t, while Mac points out that he’s always been able to run Office, it’s just a new version. Naturally, hilarity—or mild, bored amusement—ensues.

I’m not saying the campaign’s jumped the shark—well, plenty of people would probably argue that they jumped the shark ages ago—but I’m thinking Apple needs to come up with a way to wrap it all up. I picture PC getting laid off, or maybe Mac destroying him from the inside-out, Matrix-style. What about you, readers? Is it time to lay these guys to rest? How would you do it?

[hat tip: Shawn King via Twitter]

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The silhouettes are back with a new iPod commercial

Posted on Apr. 28, ’08, 10:29 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Advertising

iPod silhouetteQuick question: What are the two things synonymous with the iPod? If you answered the white earphones and the silhouette advertisements, then you are correct. Congratulations, you’ve been nominated for a place in the MacUser readers’ Hall of Fame!

One of those two things, however, had been missing in action for a while now. With the advent of the latest line of iPods, Apple had switched to more mainstream commercials which actually showed the device and its features. Bah, how boring is that!

It’s now time to rejoice for all of you who’d been craving for some of that crazy silhouette action again, because they’re back with a bang. Check out the latest iPod + iTunes advertisement on the Apple website. Grab your iPod, plug it in and rock on with the funky silhouettes to the tunes of “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings (iTunes link).

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Apple offers a 20% discount on photo books for Mother’s Day

Posted on Apr. 21, ’08, 10:44 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Advertising

iPhoto Mother's Day promoIn case you have trouble remembering dates, let us remind you that it’s Mother’s Day on May 11th this year. If you needed that reminder, then you probably haven’t yet decided on a gift for your dear mother. Say, how about a beautifully designed album full of pictures of you goofing around with your siblings? That ought to cheer her up.

If that indeed is your idea of a great gift for the joyous occasion, then Apple has just the right offer for you. Using the coupon code “LoveMom” (without the quotes), you can get a flat 20% discount on any photo book you create using iPhoto or Aperture.

Though the offer is valid till May 11th, you might want to hurry up and get your order in before April 30th (or May 4th with express shipping) if you want your thoughtful gift to reach her in time.

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Feiss film featured for free

Posted on Apr. 17, ’08, 9:20 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Apple » Video

Ellen FeissIt’s hard to believe that it was almost two years ago that we first discussed Apple icon Ellen Feiss’s foray into the realm of commercial film. Feiss is of course best remembered for her appearance in one of Apple’s 2002 Switch ads, for which she has long had to endure entirely spurious suggestions that she was under the influence of certain substances. I repeat: You have no proof, sir!

Anyway, Feiss played the role of Laura in a 2006 film called Bed & Breakfast, and for those Feiss-natics who haven’t already scoured the web and your local video store for a copy, you can snag a one-time chance to see it over on The Digital Lifestyle this coming Monday, April 21, at 9:30PM Eastern, at which point you’ll even be able to chat with your fellow Feiss followers. Shudder. Anyway, you should bookmark that. Now.

Personally, I’m not a fan of Feiss; I was always more of a Janie Porche kind of guy. She can save my Christmas any day.

[via The Mac Observer]

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Starbucks visitors to get a free pick every week

Posted on Apr. 16, ’08, 11:12 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » iTunes Store

StarbucksIf chilling out at Starbucks and shopping at the iTunes Store is your cup of… er… coffee, then you might want to know about Starbucks’ new promotional tactic, the “Pick of the Week”.

Starting this week, with “Washington Square” by Counting Crows (iTunes link), Starbucks visitors will be handed cards, valid for a month, that will allow them to download a hand-picked song (by the “Starbucks Entertainment Team”, not you) from the iTunes Store catalogue for free.

Given the crazy love-triangle between Starbucks, Apple and American Idol, I’m guessing the next product in the pipeline is a green-and-black Starbucks branded iPod full of all American Idol episodes till date. Anyone up for it?

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PC deals with office stress in the new ‘Get a Mac’ ad

Posted on Apr. 10, ’08, 10:44 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Advertising

Office Stress - Get a Mac adQuick question: What does Steve Jobs love more than a vegan diet and his Sunday morning cup o’ coffee? Black mock turtlenecks, you say? Fail! You are now to return to the basement and continue reading The Big Book of 1001 Documented Facts About the Apple CEO.

The answer, of course, is the bumbling duo of John Hodgman and Justin Long in the ‘Get a Mac’ advertisements and the Windows-bashing that ensues. If, like me, you’d thought that Apple would put a stop to the campaign after thirty-nine spots in the line-up, you were wrong (again).

Taking its place as the fortieth TV spot in the seemingly never-ending series is Office Stress, a genuinely funny advert about how Microsoft Office’s finally becoming a native Mac application is a serious cause for concern for the PC. Full marks for John Hodgman’s hilarious expressions in this video. It’s worth a watch.

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Advertising by Numb3rs

Posted on Apr. 10, ’08, 9:53 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Apple » Advertising

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the team that created the Get a Mac ads ought to be blushing up a storm. The ads have been parodied and copied so frequently that they’re really part of our culture nowadays—quite a testament for a commercial designed to sell a product. But if you need an example of just how much the dynamic duo of Hodgman and Long have permeated popular culture, check out the fact that none other than television network CBS is the latest purveyor of pastiche, with the following ad for their series Numb3rs.

You know, I finally think I understand why people want to smack Justin Long. Watch out, David Krumholtz! (For a version with an alternate punchline, hit the jump).

[via The Mac Observer]

Click to keep reading...
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New Get a Mac ads (for real!)

Posted on Apr. 1, ’08, 7:41 PM PT by Thomas Gagnon-van Leeuwen
Category | Apple » Advertising

YogaAd.jpgFor those who didn’t quite enjoy our April Fools shenanigans as much as we did, maybe this will cheer you up: new Get a Mac ads! In addition to releasing three iPhone commercials earlier today, Apple also posted two new adventures from the much beloved Mac & PC duo.

In the first, “Yoga”, PC takes up yoga to make him forget his many shortcomings and bad decisions. MacUser HQ believes the yoga woman is played by actress Judy Greer, and I have to say her performance is pretty funny.

The second, “Breakthrough”, features Mac and PC in a therapy session, which doesn’t quite have the desired effect on PC’s state of mind. Sounds familiar? It should — there was a similar ad a while back, “Counselor.”

Apparently, they both aired during tonight’s American Idol show. Speaking of, since Apple and the reality show are BFFs now, why don’t the judges film an ad? Simon could totally diss PC, and then Paula would console him. Genius, right?

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Dell responds to the MacBook Air

Posted on Mar. 31, ’08, 5:46 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Apple » Advertising

You knew Dell had to respond. Somehow, this just seems right to me.

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Apple in Africa; a different flavor of advertising

Posted on Mar. 28, ’08, 5:20 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | Apple » Advertising

african ad.jpgEver wonder how the iPod is marketed in countries outside of the US, Europe, and Asia, like say…South Africa? 9to5mac has posted a few iPod ads from South Africa, and I must say that they are very much different than any iPod ad I’ve seen in the States, or Europe for that matter.

The ads are hosted on Ads of the World, but for some reason I can’t get to them from that site anymore. It may have to do with Apple asking people to remove the ads from their web pages. For now, they’re still up at 9to5mac, so check them out!

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