Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

You’d have to be blind not to see Microsoft trying to shove Windows 7 into the living rooms of America through TV commercials.  The most recent—the gaggy sweet little girl making rainbow and flower pages though, is in my opinion, not their best effort.  But, that effort is now veering in a new direction with their latest venture.  Microsoft has just signed a deal with Fox to sponsor a show produced by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane.

And get this, the show isn’t even going to have any commercials!  That’s because it is kind of one big long commercial in itself.  It is going to be a plethora of Windows programming throughout the show.  The title is “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show,” and will be a mix-up mashup of animated shorts, live-action “Family Guy” musical performances, as well as celebrity guest appearances.

No one would talk about the specifics of how they are gonna slip Windows 7 in throughout the show, but we are told it is going to be well integrated into the content.  According to general manager of consumer engagement and advertising at Microsoft, Gayle Troberman, “You’ll see us deeply integrated into the content ... you’ll hear a lot about how Windows 7 can help you simplify your PC—it’s simple, fast and easy to use,”  She continued by saying, “Think about metaphors and examples we might use, talking about how simple things are. We’ll be evoking the cast of ‘Family Guy’ in some interesting ways that integrate the product messages.”  Hmmm….maybe stressing it is so easy to use, even a bright bulb like the family guy can use it.

Troberman maintains that branded entertainment with content integration and programming offered up “phenomenal results” when they used it for launching the search engine Bing.  She says that is why they are going that route for Windows 7 as well.  “Consumers exposed to both branded entertainment and advertising have more positive reactions,” she said.  But, working in to use an OS isn’t quite as simple as promoting a candy bar, or even a search engine.  I’m curious to see just how they manage to do it.  The show is scheduled to air on November 8 at 8:30 PM Eastern.

Read: adage