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• Billy Mays to Pitch Microsoft Zune HD
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“Billy Mays, here, for Microsoft’s amazing new entertainment device,” will be the new audio refrain soon blasting out of TVs far and wide.
Microsoft has hired the omnipresent pitchmen Billy Mays to help convince a skeptical public to buy its new handheld media device, the Zune HD. The company is hoping Mays will be able to do for Zune HD what he has done for other products, such as OxiClean.
The move represents what some analysts deem to be a natural progression for Microsoft’s advertising campaigns. “They are following one of the basic tenants of advertising and promotion theory,” says Professor Jim Work of the Wharton School of Business. “Microsoft first started with a series of Jerry Seinfeld commercials that were about as easy for the general public to understand as a Jackson Pollock painting or a voicemail message from Bob Dylan. When that failed, Microsoft decided to put itself in the customer’s shoes with people trying to find low-cost computers that, coincidentally, were unavailable in Apple form. Finally, the company has decided to throw caution to the wind with the incessant yelling of Billy Mays.”
Whether or not this strategy will work remains unclear. Few doubt Mays’ ability to sell new products to the public. However, the products he usually pitches fill voids in the marketplace, with Mays playing the role of educator, helping people solve problems with which they can readily identify. In this case, however, the Microsoft Zune HD is attempting to go up against an established competitor in the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.
Apple doesn’t seem to be very worried about the upcoming Zune. Previous versions have failed to put much of a dent in any of the iPod line. Sales seem to have been restricted to Bill Gates’ children (who the billionaire refuses to allow own any Apple devices) and those still hoping that HD DVD will beat out Blu-ray in the format wars.
Also, with Apple holding, and vowing to vigorously defend, the patents on multi-touch techniques for portable devices, it is unclear how Microsoft plans to make the Zune HD more user-friendly than the iPod Touch. All these complications ensure that Mays has his work cut out for him with this product, but it would be foolish to count him out just yet. The full specifications for the Zune HD haven’t been released. If it turns out the unit is able to help vacuum up red wine spills, Mays might just have a shot.
[• This story, marked with a • is weekend entertainment content only and should not to be considered factual ]
Source : Tom's Hardware US
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I never wanted a Zune more.
I cant wait! I do however think that B Mays might not be the right person to pitch the Zune HD! I mean, if he does it like the OxyClean commercials then it might cheapen (to the mass demographic aka unaware public) peoples perception of the Zune HD to that of a cheaply made piece of junk sold on an infomercial. The fact is that the character/persona of B Mays will automatically invoke that feeling in a lot of people!
I think with the uphill battle the Zune HD has against the iPod touch, MS should take every precaution to avoid harming or tarnishing the device launch or, most importantly, its (product) public perception!
What's freakier than this guy? That Shamwow guy
Another failure in the making?
I can't wait for " Will it blend "
sry, I just woke up and that was my first thing on my mind.
MS has hired Billy Mays ??? Seriously ??? In that case, I'll never buy any MS product again !!! Can't stand the man. If EVER that was a pitchman who annoyed me, he's it. The only one I can think of who's worse is the stupidly "Smilin' Bob" Enzite man.
I couldn't believe this guy pitched health insurance too. He just doesn't seem to fit that role. Stick to selling orange scented douche that can also clean your carpet and be used as salad dressing Mr. Billy Mays.
What's freakier than this guy? That Shamwow guy
Even freakier than that is Shamwow guy after he got his tongue bit off by the hooker here in Miami. I dont know how much tongue was bitten off, but I dont think he will be pitching anything soon.
Oh SHI- apple is F#@&ed now t-t
People, read please before commenting: "[• This story, marked with a • is weekend entertainment content only and should not to be considered factual ]"
MS has hired Billy Mays ??? Seriously ??? In that case, I'll never buy any MS product again !!! Can't stand the man. If EVER that was a pitchman who annoyed me, he's it. The only one I can think of who's worse is the stupidly "Smilin' Bob" Enzite man.
[citation]• This story, marked with a • is weekend entertainment content only and should not to be considered factual[/citation]
Dear Tom's Hardware,
I would rather have you not have any news at all than confuse us with fake news that pretty much makes every weekend April Fool's Day.
Love,
me
Billy Mays here bringing you another awesome product! The Microsoft Zune HD! It plays music and videos in high def! That's high definition folks! Its so easy to use your grandparents can listen to their classical music on it with ease! Its so hip with the kids these days that they will be the envy of their peers as they listen to the hardcore gangsta rap on it. Bitches and hoes is how Billy Mays rolls dog!
Order now!
I never wanted a Zune more.
I kinda have... I wanted it more on Thursday. It's not that I don't want it today, I just wanted it more on Thursday. I guess it's because the weather is better today. Hmm, oh well.
Glad I shared that with you, I bet.
ugh!! Is this meant to help microsoft or apple here?
WHY?!
"[• This story, marked with a • is weekend entertainment content only and should not to be considered factual ]"
So is this story true or not?
Hi,
No, this article is entirely fake. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I am going to try to get the note saying it is fake to be made much more obvious.
Justin
Hi,No, this article is entirely fake. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I am going to try to get the note saying it is fake to be made much more obvious.Justin
Holly crap, you scared me!
AND CALL NOW AND IT COMES WITH FREE THATS RIGHT FREE PAN FLUTE MUSIC.. A 19.99 VALUE. CALL NOW.
BILLY MAYS, PLEASE DO US ALL A FAVOR AND RETIRE ALREADY!
(Yes, I am aware this is another wkend article, but seriously I change the channel anytime a commercial with him on it comes on)
Also, "WE CAN ALL HEAR YOU ALREADY! YOU DON'T NEED TO YELL!"
Hi,No, this article is entirely fake. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I am going to try to get the note saying it is fake to be made much more obvious.Justin
Maybe tomshardware should also consider its international readers who have no idea in h. who Billy Mays is.
[citation]• This story, marked with a • is weekend entertainment content only and should not to be considered factual
Dear Tom's Hardware,I would rather have you not have any news at all than confuse us with fake news that pretty much makes every weekend April Fool's Day.Love,me[/citation]
I actually agree... This is becoming a serious problem for me. I love fun, but there's a reason everyone else decided it should only be one day.
Maybe Stallone should pitch the Zune. o.O
And you don't confuse me, keep the laughs coming!
What's freakier than this guy? That Shamwow guy
Yea, Too bad might not see him again after he beat up that hooker. True Story.
"You'll love my nuts"
Hi,No, this article is entirely fake. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I am going to try to get the note saying it is fake to be made much more obvious.Justin
If it were more obvious it wouldn't be funny!
I heard about the hooker beating from the Shamwow guy too lol... Who beats a hooker? Besides you would expect him to be able to get some poon (thanks to being well known) other than a hooker. Maybe not though, considering the starting of every conversation he has is probably, "Hey! Aren't you that guy from the Shamwow commercials?". Was better then than now I guess, "Hey! Aren't you that guy that beat up a hooker?!".
lol I can just imagine him saying "HI BILLY MAYS HERE WITH THE ZUNE HD..."
Justin - what's so hard to get that note larger. It's intentionally made small. Just include it as the last line of the "article" and it will be much more apparent that this is one more in a running series of joke articles.
joex444,
I definitely agree with you. In the future, I will request it be made larger. There really is no reason to have it especially made to be smaller! Right now, I have no permissions to change it
Justin
Fake news doesn't really belong together with the real news IMO. If Tom's wants to do comedy then get a tomscomedynews.com domain for us to laugh at (pun intended).