http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/01/07/referee.get.a.mac.ad/
Apple churns out 'Referee' Get a Mac ad
updated 12:45 pm EST, Mon January 7, 2008
'Referee' Get a Mac ad
Apple has churned out yet another 'Get a Mac' TV ad starring actor Justin Long as 'Mac' and Comedian Jon Hodgman as 'PC.' The latest spot begins with the usual introductions, after which a referee dressed in uniform blows a whistle and informs both sides that they may begin. Mac inquires about the ref, and PC gladly explains that he is present to make sure Mac plays fair when talking about Mac OS X Leopard vs. Windows Vista.
"PC, why is there a referee here?" Long asks after the whistle blows. "To make sure you play fair Mac, so you don't go boasting about how Leopard is better and faster than Vista," Hodgman explains. "I didn't say that, the Wall Street Journal said that," Long says.
'PC' asks to wait for the call and points to the ref, who clearly announces that the ruling stands: Leopard is better and faster than Vista.
Hodgman makes it clear that he is unsatisfied with the ruling, but the ref ejects 'PC' to finish the spot.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
These ads work
For all the hand wringing over "insulting" Windows users these ads work. They are the talk of my office (all Windows users except me) when a new one comes out. They are clever, funny, and hit home with the typical computer user who labors under the yoke of Microsoft. Sure some tech weenies chafe at the ads and are outraged but they obviously don't count with the common users. Real life users are desperate for something that works and most switchers seem satisfied with their decision.
This ad campaign will go down as one of the best and most successful of all time for Apple.