What a stark comparison between Superbowl ads. The Apple/Pepsi ad was clever and drove the message across rather well. It was a real win/win for both sides. Microsoft, on the other hand, tossed a few million dollars away. For a company that has shown it can be clever, self-deprecating and downright funny (if you’ve been to any of Bill G’s high profile keynotes in recent years, you know what I mean) this was such a lame Superbowl ad. (It’s a pretty lame ad campaign in general and the whole notion of the new “kinder and gentler” Microsoft does nothing for their image and worse showcases none of what they do). This is the Superbowl… Where was Steve Ballmer doing a Dean Scream… or perhaps showing some new cool product that will paint the way for the future or even the great Matrix skit from Comdex? The only good thing about the Microsoft ad was that it least it wasn’t one of the Office 2k3 ads. I’m off for a Pepsi….