Microsoft's Designed for Big campaign is a great one-two punch as it leverages both left- and right-brained tools. For the analytic/accountant/tecchie in each of us their website offers the traditional white paper. For our inner artist/visualist/wild-child they also serve up a colorful, informative, fast-paced video. The awesome part is that they do this for 6 different companies (case studies). This offers the target audience a really rich experience - and serves to impress with the depth of their work. The customers are quite an impressive group, as well.
I was first exposed to the program via a video ad on the zdnet website. The ad depicts a woman entering an elevator with what looks to be (literally) two thousand buttons, representing your (customer's) complexity. The ad goes on to say they can help manage this complexity. Of course, playing behind the video is a 2001: A Space Odyssey-type soundtrack, making thngs feel really ... well ... big. Good job, Microsoft.
I can't find the ad online anywhere (other than the zdnet site). If you have a link, please let me know. FOLLOW-UP: Mac provided the link. See the Microsoft System Center elevator ad video.Thanks, Mac!
Image: screen grab from zdnet website.





Mac:
Found the video at (of all places)http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/designedforbig/ under “see commercials” , it’s the elevator. I was trying to find out the actress’ name :)
Rick Short:
Thanks, Mac!
But I don’t see “see commercials” on that page.
Are you on the page as being from United States?
Mac:
Try this:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/d/8/ed8291de-c5ec-4fa1-ab6a-a7e4aba043b6/Elevator.wmv
Rick Short:
Mac: Thank you! I’ve edited the original posting to include the link here. Thanks for sticking with me – your help is greatly appreciated.
Dirk:
Hej, Rick, that’s funny. I love it. The ad from Microsoft is also great.