Microsoft launches Windows Phone ad blitz with Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani

In an attempt to use the power of celebrity endorsements to promote the Windows Phone, Microsoft has rolled out new ads featuring prominent women.

Taking an aggressive approach with the promotion of the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft has launched two new advertisements starring actress Jessica Alba and No Doubt musician Gwen Stefani. Airing during primetime television tonight on commercial breaks within ABC’s Modern Family and NBC’s The Voice as well as late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, the two advertisements highlight different ways that the Windows Phone platform has changed their daily life. The 33-second spot with Jessica Alba features the Nokia Lumia 920 and is co-branded with AT&T. However, the 32-second Gwen Stefani advertisement features the 8X by HTC and splashes the Verizon Wireless logo on the screen.

During the Jessica Alba spot, Microsoft is attempting to promote the use of the Kid’s Corner feature since young children like to play games on their parent’s smartphones. Similar to Netflix’s Just for Kids section, Kids Corner on the Windows Phone acts as a parental filter.

After Kid’s Corner is launched, it’s impossible for a child to access text messages, emails or other important areas of the phone without a password. In addition, parents can populate the Kids Corner with approved applications such as entertaining games, learning programs or other fun apps for young children. Kids can also listen to approved music through the Kids Corner interface as well as personalize the background. 

Alternatively, Microsoft is trying to highlight the usefulness of the Windows Phone platform for busy working women during the Gwen Stefani ad. Since early adopters of smartphones tend to be both men and women these days, Microsoft is clearly going after the female demographic for the opening round of Windows Phone ads. Ads featuring male celebrities are in the works though. According to Ad Age, two more advertisements will follow later in November featuring Saturday Night Live alum Andy Samberg as well as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Sony X headphones backed by Simon Cowell/X Factor

Sony seeks to cash in on the rampant popularity of headphones in the youth market with its own celebrity-backing and prominent promotional placement.

Plenty have jumped on the bandwagon that Beats Audio  has been towing for the last couple of years, but few have posed much of a challenge to the company’s strong popularity among younger listeners. Now Sony has entered the picture.  

Sony Electronics has just announced the Sony X headphones and, based on the marketing material we’ve seen, it is throwing some serious money behind the project. The electronics giant courted Simon Cowell for an endorsement and, along with him, the ridiculously popular reality TV talent show, X Factor. 

Seen American Idol lately? Beats headphones are all over that. Watch America’s Got Talent much? Chances are you’ve seen Monster and Nick Cannon’s NCredible headphones. Now you can expect to see a whole lot of the Sony X during X Factor.

It’s a little obnoxious, but celebrity endorsements and shameless product placements during prime-time TV seem to work and we don’t see any reason to be surprised by Sony’s decision. After all, Sony used to be a huge consumer headphone brand back in the 80s. Now that headphones are super-popular again, it make sense for Sony to make a power-play. 

Cowell gives the headphones some pretty positive lip-service: “I chose to make a set of headphones with Sony because I simply wanted something better than what is in the market today,” said Cowell.  “I’ve tried all of them, literally every single one. Sony and I set out to create the best headphone in the world.  We are absolutely blown away by these. With the X headphones, it’s like being in the recording studio when the records are made. The sound is that clear.”

But that’s what marketers said about Beats by Dr. Dre and we know from experience that the endorsement doesn’t always pan out to be accurate. We’ll find out for ourselves when we get our hands on a pair. For now, we’ll just have to admire the swagger-infused headphones from a distance. 

As for details on the Sony X: you get all the bling you’d expect from a Beats competitor, along with a fold-down design, case and accessories, in-line microphone and iOS device control, 50mm drivers for head-bursting bass and some generous padding to keep the music in and outside noise out. 

The Sony X will sell at Sony stores starting September 15th for $300 and at retailers nationwide by the end of the month. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com