Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld

Microsoft signed Jerry Seinfeld to do advertisements with Bill Gates almost two weeks ago. This is Microsoft's attempt to show how Windows connects everyday common people through a series of dry humor comedy. This campaign is a part of approximately $300 million overall investment developed by edgy ad shop Crispin, Porter and Bogusky. Jerry Seinfeld earned $10Million dollars from the first ad alone, which is 3% of Microsoft's annual advertising budget alone.

The videos will probably not benefit Microsoft at all considering this is their first attempt to compete with Apple's videos which get straight to the point. Apple's advertisements concentrated on comparison of Apple vs PC where as Microsoft's attempt so far is well, umm, no words to describe it really.

According to an article by Reuters, "Microsoft said the commercial is part of a broader, long-term initiative to change consumers' perception of Windows, which will include setting up a retail corner at several hundred Best Buy and Circuit City stores staffed by "Windows Gurus" to explain the benefits of Windows."

Here are the first two ads:

View From The Pier - Photosynth

The new Photosynth app is AMAZING!

Photosynth Presentation at TED

What is Photosynth?

Imagine being able to share the places and things you love using the cinematic quality of a movie, the control of a video game, and the mind-blowing detail of the real world. With nothing more than a bunch of photos, Photosynth creates an amazing new experience!

Heroes happen {here}

Heroes are all around us. Whether the hero is a neighbor, relative, co-worker, teacher, or you, people are working every day both collectively and independently to change the world, From developing technology innovations to adding value to business to reducing energy consumption, these everyday heroes are living among us, working in server room, optimizing infrastructures, developing tools and turning date into relevant insights.

Heroes aren't mythical beings that exist only in books or in movies,

Heroes happen {here}.

Do you have a Hero that you would like to tell the world about?

Yahoo and Microsoft can't work it out

Microsoft and Yahoo have yet to work out a deal for Microsoft to takeover Yahoo via a stock bid in the $30 range. We at Webconsuls are not noting this in the slight chance that you hold Yahoo stock or in my case stock options. It is significant to note the impact of re-merger of the 2 giants in the search results category.

That is, Yaho and MSN used to have a search marketing partnership which ended about 2 years ago. With Google the clear market share majority player, it would be nice to see Yahoo beef up its partners, especially for MSN who since the split from Yahoo has yet to be a formidable opponent.

In a perfect world, Yahoo Sponsored Search would give us the option of eliminating the partner network with the exception of MSN, should a merger ever be completed.

We'll keep you updated.