Microsoft will pay comedian Jerry Seinfeld $10 million to advertise its Windows Vista operating system. In all, the campaign, which includes a series of ads featuring Seinfeld and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, will cost $300 million.

Based on the theme “Windows Not Walls,” the series aims to shed a more favorable light on Windows Vista. Launched by Microsoft’s new ad agency, Miami-based Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the campaign is set to debut Sept. 4 and will be one of Microsoft’s largest ad blitzes. Crispin is credited with turning around Burger King’s image.

But will it work? That depends on whom you ask. Some public-relations pros think it’s a slam dunk. Others say it’s all in the execution. Still others say Seinfeld won’t reach the right demographic.

Seinfeld: A Slam Dunk?

Tara Parker, a marketing specialist for the law firm of Holland + Knight, thinks Microsoft’s campaign is a domestic run.

“Jerry could sell anything. citizens will watch

these. Jerry is rich, successful, everything that regular society want to be. whether that ad runs internationally, it will have an even bigger affect,” Parker said. “Microsoft is already an established grade, their software is unbeatable, and to have Seinfeld on the screen making a joke or two will just seal the deal and beat the Apple ads.”

Jane Ranzman, a marketing strategist for Corporate Performance Arts, said Microsoft signing Seinfeld is a great move in theory. How well it works depends on execution.

“Microsoft has strategic and operational problems with Vista. It’s perceived as too complicated and difficult to use. The company plus has perceptional problems,” Ranzman said. “Using Seinfeld could be a brilliant move whether he addresses some of the real issues in a funny way. For example, ‘At first I couldn’t use Vista, but next I …’”

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Original post by JR Raphael