Microsoft: Who's in Charge of Marketing?

[Plantweed]

Fire them, to wit...

[JukeboxCriminal]

What the fuck was that last one?

[art chantry]

you guys have to understand that microsoft is structured around an 'entreprenureal" system where multiple teams (temps, usually) are hired to work on a single product, then have to compete to be first/best/etc. the losers get axed. the result is intense pressure and vicious competition. really scary results out there.

it also means that each product has it's own marketing department. as an ad agency, when you take on the microsoft account, you actually have to work with dozens and dozens of marketing departments, all with their own personalities, ideas, egos, agendas and a voracious competitive attitude. it results in a nightmare situation. agency after agency FIRES microsoft as a client, simply because they're impossible to work with. there is no real "microsoft marketing department". it's a loose amalgam of crazy entreprenuers all fighting for their product. nutso.

the stories that have emerged out of microsoft in the seattle design/advertising world are extremely weird and strange and nasty.

so, THAT's why microsoft's advertising is so fucked up.

[Plantweed]

Retarted. For all their money they have horrible commercials. They need a dictator who can say no.

That last one was a real commercial that got pulled I guess.

[art chantry]

when you have that sort of money and power and prestige and huge rampant ego, NOBODY tells them what is what. in america, we champion winners. and microsoft is the current winner (never mind the crimes committed to get there). so, everybody is intimidated by them and cow-tows to their power. that's also why gates is such a star. he doesn't seem to have any personality at all.

the truth is, the emperor has no clothes and are a sitting duck to smart competitor. you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the weak spots.

[Barry Obama]

I equate microsoft with crappy products, so even if they made something good I still would never buy it.

[Plantweed]

I mean they need a vice-pres of marketing who has the authority to smarten up the ads.

The only thing I've ever liked of theirs is the X-box, everything else seems like a clunky knock-off.

[MaximumFluoride]

Microsoft doesn't really need marketing do they?

[art chantry]

bingo

(this comment was directed toward frank's remark)

[HYNES]

Design by Committee. They also hired David Carson at one stage, so there you go.