CXO

Microsoft's worst TV shameless marketing plugs

By · April 16, 2010, 3:32 AM PST

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  • Shameless Microsoft marketing

    Microsoft have infiltrated two television series' to includ subtle advertisements for Windows 7, Internet Explorer and Bing as a part of the storyline.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    Click the next image to see Microsoft's shameless plugs in hit TV show, "Bones"...

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz as the two main characters in the hit TV show, but what's that? A Windows machine? And why that specific wallpaper, I wonder?

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    As this scene continues, you not only see the clearly branded Windows machine, but some might observe the PC opposite, which has a similar-to-Mac branding of the Windows logo on the back of the machine. Seeing as Microsoft doesn't make their own hardware, is this just another attempt at getting the Windows logo out there? Yes, is the simple answer.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    A second or two later, the two main characters stand in front of the same Windows machine.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    This particular shot makes me laugh, as though it's a Western shoot-out and the damsel in distress is in the middle - donning a bright and intrusive Windows logo. How obvious is this?!

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    It seems Microsoft must have paid a great deal for these gratuitous shots of this Windows branded computer to remain in shot, appearing for a cumulative total of about 7 seconds in all...

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    ...of course this would make sense as part of Microsoft's marketing of Windows 7 is a '7 Second Demo', unlike Internet Explorer 8 which is given an '8 Second Demo".

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    Though the broadcasters logo is slightly blocking the Windows logo on this machine, it's yet another clear and obvious plug of the operating system. See the sneaky logo on the back of the monitor, too?

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Bones" (Fox, 2010)

    Oh, and we get to see icons here too.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Global HD, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 5 episode 17.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Click the next image to see Microsoft's shameless plugs in hit TV show, "Damages"...

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Here you can see one of the main characters Tom Shayes at a computer in his office. What you may not be aware is the situation he is in; he's lost his entire life savings and needs to sell a few items to claw back to settle his finances.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Oh look at that, a Windows logo; not only on the desktop but there's clearly some branding on the laptop screen edge. Is that a Sony machine? Of course it is, but that's only because the programme is also a production of Sony Pictures TV.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Is that Internet Explorer 8 he is using? Of course it is! However from start to finish of this scene where he uses Internet Explorer 8, is funnily enough 8 seconds long as part of their commercial advertising branding.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Notice how the character's arm moves slightly out of the way to ensure that the Bing logo and background is clearly displayed. Shameless plug? I think so!

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    A nice zoomed in shot here getting the full Bing logo in a much larger format, with a search term in line with the scene. He's selling his car in replacement for his much more expensive, newer model.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    What these images don't show is that two windows 'magically' appeared out of nowhere when the search button was clicked; something Bing most definitely doesn't do.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    Here's a Windows 7 feature for you; Aero Snap, as he takes one window and snaps it to the left hand side, soon to do the same with the other. It's funny how the '7 Second Demo' adverts do exactly the same as this too.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    And the snapping of the other window to the other side of the screen...

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

  • "Damages" (Sony, Fox 2010)

    And there we have it. Two windows snapped to each side of the screen for much easier viewing. Oh Microsoft, you are so easy to read.

    (c) Fox, 2010. Broadcast on Fox, 10pm. Screenshot taken from 720p broadcast, season 3 episode 12.

    To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.

Shameless Microsoft marketing

Microsoft have infiltrated two television series' to includ subtle advertisements for Windows 7, Internet Explorer and Bing as a part of the storyline.

To read more about this, visit the iGeneration blog.
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