Microsoft Planning Big Vista Campaign?

July 9, 2008 By Geoff Duncan

While copping to problems with Windows Vista, Microsoft is reportedly on the verge of launching a huge promotional campaign for the operating system.

Speaking at Microsoft’s yearly Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft’s VP of Vista Consumer marketing Brad Brooks did what, a year ago, might have been unthinkable: acknowledged users have had some hesitations about Microsoft’s latest-and-greatest operating system.

"We broke a lot of things," Brooks acknowledged. "We know that, and we know it caused you a lot of pain. It got customers thinking, hey, is Windows Vista a generation we want to get invested in?"

If Brooks’ remarks at the conference are any indication, Microsoft’s response will be to admit to a shaky launch for Windows Vista while launching a substantial advertising campaign to "get back on the front foot." Under the tagline "Free the People, Microsoft plans to tout the benefits of Windows Vista and how it can be an enabling technology for users’ digital lifestyles. The company has recently launched two promotional Web Sites—Windows Vista Compatibility Center and Windows Vista Small Business Assurance—in an effort to guide public perceptions about Vista’s compatibility with popular applications and games. Microsoft also plans to launch additional consumer-oriented sites to guide consumers, back-to-school, and holiday purchasers towards systems that offer a solid Vista experience.

According to Information Week, Microsoft is planning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars extoling Vista in the coming months—and, in no small part, the onslaught will be to counter traction Apple has gained with its long-running "I’m a Mac, I’m a PC" advertisements, which Brooks conceded have "caused some impact." Of course, Brooks then went on to say, "They tell us it’s the iWay or the highway. We think that’s a sad message. Software out there is made to be compatible with your whole life."

Uh, sure. Whatever that means.

Showing 3 comments

Steve at 9:31pm 21st August 2008 I'm scared to death of Vista and checking my bank account. I guess if I purchased a dual core turbo powered computer and 4gb of ram it might work. SOOOOO let's see $$$$
Vista $300 + dual core processor and motherboard $300 + more ram + $100 = $700. AND then I might need a new video card +$100 and on and on and on.
If you have done the math I will need to invest maybe $500 to upgrade my computer so I can purchase VIsta at $300.
James at 3:00pm 10th July 2008 After 23 years of MSDOS, Windows 3.0, 3.1, 95, 98, Millenium and Vista I finally made the best choice I ever made: OS X Leopard. No more cryptic errors: it just works. Damn I should have made the switch years ago. Apple is doing everything they say in their ads. It is no comparison at all.
So, good luck with your campaign. Never ever, will I go back to Microsoft. It is like stepping from a Vauxhall in to a Mercedes. Sorry GM, can't compete with that. What an easy, what a logic, what an unpressedented expierience. A computer working as it should.
Ron Geiken at 7:14pm 9th July 2008 Vista was a little shaky when I bought a computer with it installed about a year ago this coming August 2008. As of July 2008, it is a very stable O/S, and by removing UAC and getting a computer with a quad processor and 4 gig of ram, you will have XP on Steroids. Forget all the negative things you are hearing about Vista now, that was yesterday, this is today. I am using Firefox 3.0, and with Vista, it is very stable. I have all the bells and whistles installed on this browser, and it still launches in about 10 seconds.

I think the actual Vista users that are updating on a regular basis and have a powerful enough computer are pleased. Most of the negative comments seem to come from Apple and Linux users, and "Die-hard" XP users who are content to stay with XP. I would not advise updating an older XP computer Vista. Leave well enough alone!!!!!