Microsoft’s next series of ‘I am a PC’ ads are going to feature users and their own video messages! This I must say is an intelligent advertising and marketing strategy. After featuring people like Jerry Seinfield and celebrities including Bill Gates himself in the series, the Microsoft has shifted limelight to end users. They are enlisting videos from public for next series of ads. This campaign will surely be seen as another milestone in new age advertising.

Just like citizen journalism and blogging has revolutionized new media this might usher in a new era of advertising. No need to engage creative directors, copy writers etc. Just invite videos on home page from customers (there are millions who yearn for 15 seconds of fame) and air the selected videos as commercials. It’ll also look like honest user opinion being aired directly to the viewers!

It’s not only a good way to generate diverse content and page traffic but also best way to cut down advertising costs in the days of economic slowdowns. Microsoft surely has opened new windows for advertising and marketing world!

Source: Adage