Microsoft just announced they have teamed up with Fox to deliver a 30-minute ‘Family Guy’ comedy special on November 8. During the special there will be no commercial ad time, no network promotions and no commercial breaks. Just 30-minutes of a Microsoft Windows 7 promotion incorporated into the popular animated comedy. See the promo clip below:
The show entitled, ‘Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show’ will air Sunday, November 8, at 8:30 p.m. (ET and PT). Microsoft and Fox also announced plans to put on a 12-week college tour allowing students to try Windows 7 and tying in outdoor-movie nights hosted by the Stewie and Brian.
You may ask yourseld, how much did Microsoft pay ‘Family Guy’ creator Seth MacFarlane to sell out? Very good question given MacFarlane’s history of parody of Microsoft’s products (clip below).
Not only am I personally disappointed that MacFarlane has sold out to Microsoft (although I must assume the paycheck was huge). I’m also surprised Microsoft has announced (or leaked) no plans of leveraging social media to promote their Windows 7 release. They’ve done little to appeal to the growing network of social sites, developer groups or grassroots efforts. Have they learned nothing over the last 2 years? Mass media is dying – strike that – mass media is evolving to a new, more dynamic forum. Time to move ahead Microsoft or you’ll find yourself experiencing the General Motor’s-syndrome.
BTW – I’ve actually heard the Windows 7 OS is pretty solid and has a number of interesting features. I left Microsoft behind – cold turkey – when Vista came out, bought myself a black turtle neck and joined the cult of Apple. Marketing and distribution flaws aside – Windows 7 is worth a look.
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