Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' ad images made on Macs
Frames from new TV ads were cranked out on Macs, files show
September 18, 2008 12:00 PM ETMicrosoft ads
In news
- Why 'I'm a PC' ads won't attack Apple
- Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' ad images made on Macs
- Seinfeld ads end as Microsoft turns to reclaim slur from Apple
- Second commercial: 3 times longer, 3 times funnier?
- Seinfeld-Windows TV commercial premieres to a baffled audience
- Microsoft explains ad: just a 'teaser'
In blogs
Computerworld - Several digital images that Microsoft Corp. has posted on its Web site to trumpet its new "I'm a PC" advertising campaign were actually created on Macs, according to the files' originating-software stamp.
Four of the images that Microsoft made available on its PressPass site today display the designation "Adobe Photoshop C3 Macintosh" when their file properties are examined. The images appear to be frames from the television ads that Microsoft will launch later today.
One of the images is of a real Microsoft engineer, identified only as "Sean," who resembles John Hodgman, the actor who plays the PC character in Apple Inc.'s iconic ads. Reportedly, Microsoft will play off Apple's own campaign -- during which Hodgman introduces himself with the line, "Hello, I'm a PC" -- with its engineer saying "Hello, I'm a PC, and I've been made into a stereotype."
Other images posted by Microsoft today include shots of author Deepak Chopra; Canadian adventurer and educator Geoff Green, founder of Students on Ice Expeditions; and a shark-surrounded diver named "Meaghan."
Not all of the images on the PressPass site were generated on Macs. The sample print ads, which highlight the campaign's "Life Without Walls" slogan, were produced using the Windows version of Adobe Photoshop, according to their files.
The originating software and platform can be found in downloaded versions of the files using built-in tools on either a Mac running Mac OS X or on a PC running Windows.
In Windows XP, for instance, users can view the tag by right-clicking the downloaded file, selecting Properties from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Summary tab. "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh" appears beside "Creation Software."
On a Mac, after opening the downloaded file in Preview, users can see the tag by choosing Inspector from the Tools menu, clicking on the middle More Info tab, then clicking on the tab marked TIFF. "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh" appears beside "Software."
Microsoft's campaign is the creation of the Crispin Porter + Bogusky ad agency as part of a $300 million effort to revamp Windows Vista's reputation.
Microsoft
Additional Resources



Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.
White Papers & Webcasts
Dell Proconsult Windows 7 Readiness Assessment
Download Now
Extending Client Refresh - 11 Steps to Maximize Savings
Register Now!
Southern Company
Download Now
Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation
Download This Resource Now!
Defending Against the Storm
Download Now
Managing Mobility: Improve Data Security, Compliance and Manageability
Download This Resource Now!
Share our Strength
Download Now
Consolidate Your Servers and Storage to Lower Costs with Oracle Database 11g
Register for this webcast!
The Commercialization of ITIL: Lessons Learned
Register for this event today!
