Comments on: The Five Key Missteps Microsoft Made with the Vista Blogger Fiasco http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html Internet Marketing News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nazu http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-59814 Nazu Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:31:38 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-59814 Doug Karr: The difference between this and Shaq getting a new pair of sneakers, is that Shaq doesn't have to give them back when the other basketball players start getting angry about being left out. They're asking for them back? Why should they be given back? They were given these Laptops without any agreement, they have no obligation to return them. Good going Microsoft ~ Doug Karr:

The difference between this and Shaq getting a new pair of sneakers, is that Shaq doesn’t have to give them back when the other basketball players start getting angry about being left out.

They’re asking for them back?

Why should they be given back?

They were given these Laptops without any agreement, they have no obligation to return them.

Good going Microsoft ~

]]> By: Gift Sending is the New Ethical and Social Way to Buy Links http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-40666 Gift Sending is the New Ethical and Social Way to Buy Links Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:17:20 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-40666 [...] big time. Take Microsoft for example. Back when Vista was first being launched, the software giant sent select bloggers laptops worth over $2,000 each to test and review. Of course, many people considered this blatant bribery [...] [...] big time. Take Microsoft for example. Back when Vista was first being launched, the software giant sent select bloggers laptops worth over $2,000 each to test and review. Of course, many people considered this blatant bribery [...]

]]> By: Long live performance marketing - IBM predicts the end of advertising as we know it! http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-37069 Long live performance marketing - IBM predicts the end of advertising as we know it! Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:23:44 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-37069 [...] a way to approach these outlets in a way that doesn’t result in mass revolt. See how a PR effort backfired  for [...] [...] a way to approach these outlets in a way that doesn’t result in mass revolt. See how a PR effort backfired  for [...]

]]> By: theory.isthereason » Pimping to Bloggers: Sprint’s Samsung Upstage vs. LG’s Shine http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-26025 theory.isthereason » Pimping to Bloggers: Sprint’s Samsung Upstage vs. LG’s Shine Mon, 14 May 2007 04:38:09 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-26025 [...] Having blogged product reviews before, I find that Americans tend to place a lot of faith in bloggers, giving products to bloggers and not making any demands at all. Sometimes this backfires, as in the controversial case of Microsoft & Edelman’s Ferarri laptop giveaway. Some argued that this didn’t work because the “product” was far too expensive (around US$2,200), which appeared more like a bribe to the A-list bloggers (I wouldn’t mind if I could still give an honest review). Others (like me) found the messaging and backtracking of statements more damaging to the credibility of the marketing exercise (i.e. “return it or give it away”?). [...] [...] Having blogged product reviews before, I find that Americans tend to place a lot of faith in bloggers, giving products to bloggers and not making any demands at all. Sometimes this backfires, as in the controversial case of Microsoft & Edelman’s Ferarri laptop giveaway. Some argued that this didn’t work because the “product” was far too expensive (around US$2,200), which appeared more like a bribe to the A-list bloggers (I wouldn’t mind if I could still give an honest review). Others (like me) found the messaging and backtracking of statements more damaging to the credibility of the marketing exercise (i.e. “return it or give it away”?). [...]

]]> By: Blake Handler http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11486 Blake Handler Sat, 30 Dec 2006 06:20:03 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11486 Since I’m a recipient of a Ferrari 5000 from Acer, I’m obviously biased towards Microsoft’s motives. I personally began blogging on Microsoft technologies to refrain from sending my clients too many emails - or emails that were not pertinent to them at the time. I’m not a “journalist” – but even professional IT consultants have “ethics” too. I could not be successful without telling the truth, being fair, doing my own research, verifying my research, and creating original content. As a Microsoft consultant it’s my job to be familiar with technology BEFORE my client sees it. Or more importantly, BEFORE they have a problem with it! My TechNet subscription provided me access to the betas of Windows Vista (along with the many incremental upgrades). For almost two years, I’ve participated and provided feedback in Windows Vista forums, webcasts, training and labs. I’m pleased and humbled that my blog is “popular” beyond the people that I personally support. Microsoft named me MVP for providing technical assistance beyond my normal professional responsibilities. Being provided an evaluation computer from Acer is not a “bribe” and it simply allows me to accelerate my evaluations, documentation and demonstrations of Windows Vista. Since I’m a recipient of a Ferrari 5000 from Acer, I’m obviously biased towards Microsoft’s motives. I personally began blogging on Microsoft technologies to refrain from sending my clients too many emails – or emails that were not pertinent to them at the time.

I’m not a “journalist” – but even professional IT consultants have “ethics” too. I could not be successful without telling the truth, being fair, doing my own research, verifying my research, and creating original content.

As a Microsoft consultant it’s my job to be familiar with technology BEFORE my client sees it. Or more importantly, BEFORE they have a problem with it!

My TechNet subscription provided me access to the betas of Windows Vista (along with the many incremental upgrades). For almost two years, I’ve participated and provided feedback in Windows Vista forums, webcasts, training and labs.

I’m pleased and humbled that my blog is “popular” beyond the people that I personally support. Microsoft named me MVP for providing technical assistance beyond my normal professional responsibilities. Being provided an evaluation computer from Acer is not a “bribe” and it simply allows me to accelerate my evaluations, documentation and demonstrations of Windows Vista.

]]> By: Andy Beard http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11416 Andy Beard Fri, 29 Dec 2006 22:58:29 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11416 Bloggers often tend to put an idiotic spin on everything. Is anyone actually going to say anything nice about Microsoft just because they received a free PC? Hmm maybe, but if they disclose it, there is nothing wrong with it, and readers would think a blogger was foolish not to accept the freebie. For these tech companies to be giving away free hardware and software is absolutely nothing new. I used to work doing business development in the games industry, and whilst NDAs probably still prevent me from mentioning specifics, there once was a time when games development outfits could have half their development hardware paid for by one company, and half by another, depending on their prominence and support for new technology. All these A list bloggers opening up their mac laptops at key events makes them a very attractive target. In my opinion the biggest mistake was backing down Bloggers often tend to put an idiotic spin on everything. Is anyone actually going to say anything nice about Microsoft just because they received a free PC? Hmm maybe, but if they disclose it, there is nothing wrong with it, and readers would think a blogger was foolish not to accept the freebie.

For these tech companies to be giving away free hardware and software is absolutely nothing new.

I used to work doing business development in the games industry, and whilst NDAs probably still prevent me from mentioning specifics, there once was a time when games development outfits could have half their development hardware paid for by one company, and half by another, depending on their prominence and support for new technology.

All these A list bloggers opening up their mac laptops at key events makes them a very attractive target.

In my opinion the biggest mistake was backing down

]]> By: Rob Stevens http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11339 Rob Stevens Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:08:46 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11339 I think that the blogosphere needs to lighten the hell up. :) Seriously, what everyone is missing is that this is all part of a game as well ... Microsoft is using these to promote Vista, yes, but also to jumpstart the alternate reality game Vanishing Point. The entire point of the game is that Loki gives out extravagant gifts, and if she's giving these as gifts at the beginning, what does the ultimate winner get? Sometimes, people just need to relax and have a little fun with it. Besides, anyone who went to college knows that being able to critically evaluate the source of information is always the first step, and I don't see how this changes it. So what if people aren't disclosing what they've received? Sounds like the vast majority were Microsoft and Windows supporters to begin with, so that doesn't change. We know what "gifts" are floating around out there, so discounting any "reviews" of that stuff is pretty easy. I think that the blogosphere needs to lighten the hell up. :) Seriously, what everyone is missing is that this is all part of a game as well … Microsoft is using these to promote Vista, yes, but also to jumpstart the alternate reality game Vanishing Point. The entire point of the game is that Loki gives out extravagant gifts, and if she’s giving these as gifts at the beginning, what does the ultimate winner get? Sometimes, people just need to relax and have a little fun with it.

Besides, anyone who went to college knows that being able to critically evaluate the source of information is always the first step, and I don’t see how this changes it. So what if people aren’t disclosing what they’ve received? Sounds like the vast majority were Microsoft and Windows supporters to begin with, so that doesn’t change. We know what “gifts” are floating around out there, so discounting any “reviews” of that stuff is pretty easy.

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11315 Andy Beal Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:37:35 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11315 I agree with you guys, sending out gifts to bloggers is not the problem. I think it's a smart idea to offer an incentive to bloggers - free trial, loan of equipment, "goodie bag" etc - in order to get their attention. However, the blogosphere is not happy with the way MSFT handled this - and I agree with them - and that is what is leading to the negative feedback. I think step 2 and 4 are key to this mess. I agree with you guys, sending out gifts to bloggers is not the problem. I think it’s a smart idea to offer an incentive to bloggers – free trial, loan of equipment, “goodie bag” etc – in order to get their attention. However, the blogosphere is not happy with the way MSFT handled this – and I agree with them – and that is what is leading to the negative feedback. I think step 2 and 4 are key to this mess.

]]> By: Christer Edwards http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11273 Christer Edwards Fri, 29 Dec 2006 07:26:48 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11273 Giving out some freebies as promotion isn't a bad idea. As they other commenters mentioned it happens all the time and nobody cares. I wonder if these current "promoters" are going to stay promoters after getting screwed like this. Wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these people got offended and is off to Mac Country. Giving out some freebies as promotion isn’t a bad idea. As they other commenters mentioned it happens all the time and nobody cares.

I wonder if these current “promoters” are going to stay promoters after getting screwed like this. Wouldn’t be surprised if one or two of these people got offended and is off to Mac Country.

]]> By: Doug Karr http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11228 Doug Karr Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:51:02 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11228 I'm going to respectfully disagree. The onus of providing accurate and unbiased information to my readers is my responsibility - not Microsoft's. How is this different from Shaq getting a new pair of sneakers or Tiger getting a new set of clubs? It's not! We don't scream at Nike or Big Bertha when they provide their material to influencers for free. Should Shaq have a disclaimer before every game? Tiger? I play golf, why didn't I get free clubs? Waaaaaaah. This entire thing is ridiculous. Any good Marketer recognizes who the influencers are and caters to them so that the word spreads. The only mistake in this entire situation was Microsoft's back-peddling. I'm not a politician, I'm not a journalist, I am a blogger. I didn't take an oath. Example: I happened to have gotten some Colts tickets a couple months ago... could have been for all the help I've been giving Pat Coyle at http://www.patcoyle.net. Should I have turned them down? "I'm sorry Pat... my readers wouldn't want me to accept these." Huh? The only mistake in this entire thing was Microsoft's back-peddling. When asked, "Did you give those expensive laptops to bloggers so that you could 'buy' influence", they should have said one thing... "Duh!" I’m going to respectfully disagree. The onus of providing accurate and unbiased information to my readers is my responsibility – not Microsoft’s.

How is this different from Shaq getting a new pair of sneakers or Tiger getting a new set of clubs? It’s not! We don’t scream at Nike or Big Bertha when they provide their material to influencers for free. Should Shaq have a disclaimer before every game? Tiger? I play golf, why didn’t I get free clubs? Waaaaaaah.

This entire thing is ridiculous. Any good Marketer recognizes who the influencers are and caters to them so that the word spreads. The only mistake in this entire situation was Microsoft’s back-peddling.

I’m not a politician, I’m not a journalist, I am a blogger. I didn’t take an oath. Example: I happened to have gotten some Colts tickets a couple months ago… could have been for all the help I’ve been giving Pat Coyle at http://www.patcoyle.net. Should I have turned them down? “I’m sorry Pat… my readers wouldn’t want me to accept these.” Huh?

The only mistake in this entire thing was Microsoft’s back-peddling. When asked, “Did you give those expensive laptops to bloggers so that you could ‘buy’ influence”, they should have said one thing…

“Duh!”

]]> By: Cameron Olthuis http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html/comment-page-1#comment-11227 Cameron Olthuis Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:44:53 +0000 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/12/microsoft-vista-laptop-bloggers.html#comment-11227 I personally don't see anything wrong with Microsoft sending out the laptops. I agree that they did a lot of things wrong which you highlighted above but product reviews have been around forever. As long as companies insist on full disclosure and honest opinions it should be up to that blogger. Take car magazines as an example... A lot of the cars they review and test drive are provided by the manufacturers at no cost. I personally don’t see anything wrong with Microsoft sending out the laptops. I agree that they did a lot of things wrong which you highlighted above but product reviews have been around forever. As long as companies insist on full disclosure and honest opinions it should be up to that blogger.

Take car magazines as an example… A lot of the cars they review and test drive are provided by the manufacturers at no cost.

]]>