Wow. King James of the Cavaliers is representing Microsoft. (Stats: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/player?statsId=3704)
LeBron James to Appear in Microsoft Ads
SEATTLE – The ever-expanding LeBron James empire is entering a new realm.
Microsoft Corp. is using the NBA star to promote next week’s consumer release of its new Windows Vista operating system. James will make what a Microsoft spokesman described Tuesday as cameo appearances on national television commercials that will begin airing Jan. 30…
In case you’re wondering, "Huh? What do I care about Lebron James and what does he have to do with computers?", remember that if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably not the target audience. If you recall MSN’s "fat blue bumbling butterfly" commercials, you probably thought those were lame as well. You’d also be surprised to know that that ad campaign was immensely successful: And it was again, probably not targetted at you.
For the record, Fortune Magazine thinks it’s a good idea:
Microsoft teams up with the cool kids
‘Willy Gates’ and his software empire are trying to shed a stale image and lure coveted content partners.
NEW YORK (FORTUNE) – When Microsoft takes over the Rockefeller Plaza observation deck Wednesday afternoon, it won’t be to host a tech talk. It’s to get the bright lights of media and entertainment – Bonnie Fuller, Benny Medina, BBDO Worldwide CEO Andrew Robertson – together for "a stimulating conversation about triangulating the sweet spot of pop culture, technology, and brand," according to the invite.
Didn’t see that coming? It might seem a little strange for the software giant to be hosting such a symposium, but it’s actually part of a much bigger trend at Microsoft (Research).
Everyone’s heard the big news about the company: Advertising! Partnerships! Branded entertainment! It’s great, and it’s about time. But what no one’s caught onto is just how completely unexpected – and yes, maybe even cool – those new partners are, from Def Jam President Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and NBA superstar LeBron James to those pretty politicos the Dixie Chicks and the ever trendy MTV…
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/07/technology/pluggedin_fortune/index.htm
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