Microsoft Marketing Sucks

[metal_head_3767]

Every microsoft add I see shows the Zune at quick glances for a fraction of a second.  It hardly shows the UI and just flashes some "welcome to the social" bs on the screen.  Someone who had never seen the Zune wouldn't have an idea of what it does.   Why don't they just show the product and tell about its features?  The FM radio and the ability to play video aren't shown once in any of the commercials I've seen.

They spend more time showing random people then showing the actual Zune.  Maybe the point that they're trying to get across is if you buy the Zune you will have friends.

Here are some of them:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rM60Ei3JLfc&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Yv80fGsAfo&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fIqCk5Tlaqo&mode=related&search=

This is true with all microsoft adds.
Here is the poster child Windows Vista commercial:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h4ku2UbRyXg

I know there are some people on the Zune team who read this forum.  Microsoft your marketing sucks.  You are the only company that spends their commercial time showing people instead of showing the product you are selling.

[Apple]

I completely agree with you, but Microsoft's got something up their sleeve, believe me.

[aemerson511]

They spend more time showing random people then showing the actual Zune.  Maybe the point that they're trying to get across is if you buy the Zune you will have friends.

DUDE!  ILL HAVE FRIENDS!?
 
i really need to get a zune now...

[Sick Seagul]

Their marketing sucks because they know the player and software sucks. When they get rid of the bugs and have addressed the many issues, you will have your advertising galore – enter Zune 1.5.

[metal_head_3767]

@ apple

I don't really think so.  This is their product and they are trying to make advertisements to sell it.  Its not like they are gonna have crappy advertisements for a while and then come out with some decent ones.

@ Sick Seagul

The player does not suck.  The player is great.  The software on the PC side BLOWS.  Why can't we just use Windows Media Player 11.  The Zune software is just a stripped down version of it.

[Dino1956]

Like Apple, I guess Microsoft thinks putting less info on the box, the cooler & more msteriously intriguing it will be. I hate when companies try to be cool & trendy. Just tell me what's in the box & what is does.

[eth3rton]

Their marketing sucks because they know the player and software sucks. When they get rid of the bugs and have addressed the many issues, you will have your advertising galore – enter Zune 1.5.

Gotta ask..... If it sucks as you put it... then why are you here again...?

[bhakta]

Like Apple, I guess Microsoft thinks putting less info on the box, the cooler & more msteriously intriguing it will be. I hate when companies try to be cool & trendy. Just tell me what's in the box & what is does.

Amen to that

[Sick Seagul]

Their marketing sucks because they know the player and software sucks. When they get rid of the bugs and have addressed the many issues, you will have your advertising galore ? enter Zune 1.5.

Gotta ask..... If it sucks as you put it... then why are you here again...?

I need to be a fanboy with no critical views to be here? If you read the OP´s statement you´ll hopefully understand why I used that expression. As for being here, I find discussing new tech quite interesting – to me the Zune, as it stands, is a huge disappointment. However, I am in no doubt that future revisions will impress, or at least suck less.

[Dino1956]

It's too soon to say it Sucks. The Zune itself works & looks great. MS is having Software Issues. Eventually we will all have a lot of nice things to say about the Software & Marketplace. For now, it's just frustrating. This is MS's first MP3 Player. Give them at least a chance.

[Zune Grand Pubah]

Who needs marketing when you already have a kickbutt player? 

[A_Str8]

Like Apple, I guess Microsoft thinks putting less info on the box, the cooler & more msteriously intriguing it will be. I hate when companies try to be cool & trendy. Just tell me what's in the box & what is does.

The sad thing is they are right. The fact that you're even on this board means that in some way you are a geek - you reasearch a product and probably use or are at least familiar with all of its functions. MS and Apple do not market to us geeky types because we make websites and message boards and market to each other. The adds are aimed at everyone else - the people who don't care how it works as long as it works, the people who don't wnat to have to read instructions, the people who think an mp3 player should be every bit as simple as a walkman.

[dweezil]

The sad thing is they are right. The fact that you're even on this board means that in some way you are a geek - you reasearch a product and probably use or are at least familiar with all of its functions. MS and Apple do not market to us geeky types because we make websites and message boards and market to each other. The adds are aimed at everyone else - the people who don't care how it works as long as it works, the people who don't wnat to have to read instructions, the people who think an mp3 player should be every bit as simple as a walkman.

I couldn't agree more!  End of the day it's just a media player.  Buy it, load your media and consume your media.

NEWSFLASH!Zune will not cure cancer
Zune will not eradicate world poverty

In the words of the great Tom Waits...

Step right up
step right up
step right up
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar
one-tenth of a dollar
we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume
how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady
something for the little lady
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture
you can drive it away today
Act now, act now
and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills
you're tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go
going out of business
going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price
skip the middle man
Don't settle for less
How do we do it?
how do we do it?
volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate
Don't be caught with your drawers down
Don't be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

That's right, it filets, it chops
It dices, slices, never stops
lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn
and it picks up the kids from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair
it gets rid of embarrassing age spots
It delivers a pizza
and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finds that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise longe for several weeks
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It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up
it's only a dollar, step right up

'Cause it forges your signature.
If not completely satisfied
mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery
don't be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it
laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it
Live in it, swim in it
laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets
that's right
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it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts
change your life
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Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy
get rid of your wife
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Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack
see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It's a friend, and it's a companion
And it's the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions
it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust
thighs, chin, midriff
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job
it is a job
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take ten for five exchange
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business
never needs winding
Never needs winding
never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis
Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
'Cause it's effective, it's defective
it creates household odors
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection
it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation
no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot
prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it
how do we do it
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We need your business
we're going out of business
We'll give you the business
Get on the business
end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions
batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available
Step right up
step right up
step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth
and the small print taketh away
Step right up
you can step right up
you can step right up
C'mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up
c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Step right up
you can step right up
c'mon and step right up
C'mon and step right up

[macjr82]

it's marketing sucks b/c the general public doesn't even know the Zune exists

[metal_head_3767]

it's marketing sucks b/c the general public doesn't even know the Zune exists

Thats true.  And the ones that know already have I PODs that there in love with.

[Coke Von Cola]

it's marketing sucks b/c the general public doesn't even know the Zune exists

Thats true.  And the ones that know already have I PODs that there in love with.

Somewhat. A lot of iPod users that actually use the Zune(at least in my case) admit ti is better and would rather buy one. As for their marketing I guess what they were going for in their commercials was that they would rais einterest and people would research it. They don't show enough commercials. Yeha they could be better, but the main thing is they need to show them more.

[Kaiser]

Regardless of Windows dominance, I think the zune should really be given Mac support in the near future. If suddenly macs started taking an even larger chunk of the personal computing market, all those users would be forced to stick with PC's, dual booting, or VM's in order to own a zune.

[Kayo]

Every microsoft add I see shows the Zune at quick glances for a fraction of a second.  It hardly shows the UI and just flashes some "welcome to the social" bs on the screen.  Someone who had never seen the Zune wouldn't have an idea of what it does.   Why don't they just show the product and tell about its features?  The FM radio and the ability to play video aren't shown once in any of the commercials I've seen.

They spend more time showing random people then showing the actual Zune.  Maybe the point that they're trying to get across is if you buy the Zune you will have friends.

I agree the ads are poor.  Its a great product and I would have hoped that they would have done a better job getting the word out.  Even the newspaper ads were nothing special.