Microsoft’s Blue Monster
David
Maybe just a little.
Microsoft has a new mascot, called Blue Monster–and it’s not from the mass-marketing gurus that came up with the "Wow is Now" campaign for Windows Vista. Blogger Hugh MacLeod drew the creature, which he offered to buddy Microsoft employee Steve Clayton. MacLeod also is a cartoonist and marketing strategist; he doesn’t work for Microsoft.
Bearing the tagline, "Microsoft: Change the world or go home," Blue Monster is supposed to represent the vision of the company’s employees. If they can’t make the world a better place, they should give up.
In a blog post yesterday, MacLeod explained the ongoing discussion with Clayton that led to Blue Monster’s creation: "For too long, Microsoft has allowed other people tell their story on their behalf–the media, their competition and their detractors, especially–instead of doing a better job of it themselves."
I agree and not. Some of Microsoft’s more than 3,000 bloggers do a good job of marketing the company in a meaningful way. As for the marketing geniuses behind the "Wow is Now" campaign, next week’s Windows Vista launch will put their storytelling skills to test. Apple’s "Get a Mac" ad campaign has set a high bar for Microsoft to follow.
Back to Blue Monster: The character is a clever idea, although he is ugly. I can’t imagine that the marketing gurus in Redmond would ever choose a monster to represent the company. After all, many people have accused Microsoft of being a monster, given some of its business tactics. Those accusations are perhaps the best reason for Blue Monster, frightening failure to do good.
Microsoft Watch - Corporate - Microsoft’s Blue Monster
Posted on: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 2:54 am 
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