While Microsoft is often doing or saying the wrong things, occasionally, they get it right. Case in point was Microsoft’s decision to ask top small shop, Strawberry Frog to help them create a new campaign in support of what could be deemed a boring consumer product – small business accounting software. SF came up with Idea Wins. The set-up was simple: The Frog released parachutes filled with information about how anyone with a dream could win 100K, retail space and software to launch their small business. See the video above. It’s pretty funny.
Potential biz owners then uploaded their dreams to the Idea Wins website resulting in thousands of videos. Then, the public was asked to vote on the top finalists and determine the winner. It’s so American Idol meets a worthwhile concept. Marketing for good? Gotta love it.
BUT, here’s the real kicker: Microsoft had over a million downloads of the software. A million and that’s what counts. Bravo.
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July 13, 2007 at 12:23 am
Did SF get fined for littering?
I also see the campaign being non-equitable – for those who do not own a video camera or have the tech knowledge to get a video onto YouTube were excluded.
August 12, 2007 at 12:40 am
[...] Agency Spy – Applause: The Frog Helps Microsoft (Finally) Get It Right “The Frog released parachutes filled with information about how anyone with a dream could win 100K, retail space and software to launch their small business. **See the video** (tags: strawberryfrog microsoft campaign video parachute media spam competition advertising) [...]