So What’s Up With That New ‘I’m a PC’ Guy, Anyway?
Do you want to know a little more about Sean Siler, Microsoft’s version of Apple’s PC parody John Hodgman? Of course you do! Luckily, the latest Microsoft commercial had his email address right inside, and you can email “him” at sean@windows.com. But we saved you the 10 seconds and sent the email ourselves. Here’s his response, listing personal factoids like his real background as a Microsoft Program Manager and penchant for brown suits:
Hello! I’m a PC – and I can’t answer your email right now. I’d like to say that I’m out climbing Mt. Rainier or biking across Europe with the Swedish Beach Volleyball Team, but in fact I’m probably just chained to a desk somewhere in the depths of Redmond pounding out product specifications.
Now that I have been in a commercial, Microsoft has given me access to super-secret “BillyG” level of executive resources. That’s right – I have my own email auto-responder!
This, as you have probably surmised, is my pre-prepared auto-response (All natural, no filler. No animals were harmed in the making of this response. Except for a ferret.) I really would like to have answered you myself, but if I did, (a) I’d probably get no work done, and (b) then I’d get fired, and (c) then I’d have no chance of doing any more of those really awesome commercials.
So let me try to prognosticate a few of your questions and answer a few of them.
Why did they put you on TV?
I think it’s my devastating good-looks and animal magnetism. No, really – there’s a ferret stuck to my leg right now.
But really – you aren’t even an actor!
No I’m not. But I play one on TV. I really am a Microsoft Program Manager. I work on IPv6, and other things that you haven’t heard of.
How did you get selected?
I auditioned along with a couple of hundred others. I guess I looked very Engineery. And the ferret probably helped.
Are you interested in more acting?
Oh no, I think that Engineering is MUCH more fun.
What’s with Windows Vista?
You’ve been watching those commercials again, haven’t you? Windows Vista rocks. Listen to real users, not actors.
-The Real PC, Sean Siler
[via crunchgear]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Is this the best crafted copy they could come up with? The writer at the agency who spent 3 minutes coming up with this rubbish before heading back to the party they’re having with all the Microsoft money should be drawn and quartered.
I do actually like the new ‘I’m a PC’ campaign. It takes Apples capital without seeming petty or retaliatory, and I’m a Mac user and fanboi.
The problem is, this ‘auto-response’ is an advertising channel, and it has been wasted with a poorly crafted strategy.
That’s funny, from what I have heard from real users is that Vista Sux. So I guess I will listen to real users, they just happen to disagree with you Sean.
@ Jared
I’m a Vista user and it certainly does NOT suck. I find it better than XP in every way, and the other people I know who use Vista also prefer it to previous versions.
Most of the negativity towards Vista is because the rollout wasn’t smooth – many drivers caused Vista to crash, etc.
I personally notice loads of reasons to use Vista over XP – more stable, better looking, several UI tweaks that make computing easier and more pleasant.
I’ve heard lots of people say Vista sucks – but I’ve never heard a Vista user say that.
i’m a vista user.
it sucks.
there you go.