Windows VistaÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s answer to the Apple Ads: Cl

http://www.clearification.com/

It’s funny, its depressing, its satirical and I don’t know how it relates to Windows Vista.

So, to flip things around, Microsoft hired Demetri Martin (also from the Daily Show) to make Microsoft more "cool." Apparently, Microsoft had this huge Excel spreadsheet which put out a pie chart that told them they needed to be more in touch with the younger generation. The problem is that people who don't know or appreciate Demetri Martin's humor probably won't get it. Where as the John Hodgman character is pretty much universally understood — so it reaches a wider audience. Microsoft has signed Martin for a lot of promotions (and they're sponsoring his tour), so it's certainly possible that they make more of it than this. I personally don't see how this helps them shed their image. All it seems to do is promote Demetri Martin.

Anyway, it's nice to see Microsoft finally hiring a real graphic artist for a change.

It is no secret Demetri Martin signed up with Microsoft nearly 4 months ago in a multi-staged marketing campaign aimed to improve the image of Windows and Microsoft. So far, Microsoft has sponsored for Demetri’s stand-up tour “These are Jokes”, touring around the States. But Demetri Martin is best known for his “Trendspotting” reports in the Comedy Central show, “The Daily Show”.

As noted by the Seattle Pi, Microsoft and Apple are literally head-to-head when it comes to hiring comedians. On the same show, Apple has already hired John Hodgman as part of its Mac-vs-PC advertising campaigns. Could this be rivalry at its finest?

In the past, Microsoft has officially stated Demetri will the face of a massive multipronged campaign for Windows Vista, and this is it. Whilst it has obvious associations with Microsoft and Windows Vista, it is still unclear how it will tie-in with the bigger Windows Vista marketing campaign. So far, a link and a few audio plugs are all there is between Microsoft and Clearification, which are only links to Microsoft’s official website.

demetri.jpgThe focus of the website is to show a series of episodic videos about a man with psychological issues who’s been sent to an institution. It is unclear how Windows Vista might tie in to the whole story, but I’m guessing Vista is going to make him less crazy? Or something along those lines of being a normal, productive and sane man.

A Whois search of the domain reveals clues about when this domain was registered or who (marketing agency) was responsible for the campaign.