Tue, Oct 27, 2009 12:19 EDT

Microsoft Bails on Family Guy, Remains Uncool

Microsoft has a suspicious change of heart and cancels its Windows 7 sponsorship of "Family Guy".

Topic: Infrastructure

Current Rating: Comments: 7

Looks like the Griffin family and residents of Quahog will not be getting their Windows 7 love after all.

Microsoft has reportedly backed out of its sponsorship of an episode of "Family Guy." A Microsoft rep has said that company watched the show being produced — a variety show with Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane and Alex Borstein, who does the voice for Lois Griffin — and decided it is "not a fit with the Windows brand."

So nowwwww they think the content of "Family Guy" is inappropriate. Huh? Have the people at Microsoft who arranged the sponsorship ever watched "Family Guy"? It's the most irreverent show of all time. Its humor is so outrageous, it'll make your head spin.

A preview for the now canceled Windows 7-sponsored episode of "Family Guy".

Scores of politicians, actors, celebrities and athletes have been ruthlessly mocked on "Family Guy", not to mention every race, handicap, social class and religious affiliation. This is what "Family Guy" does. It's not a fit for any brand, really. But it is hilarious and young people watch it in droves.

Microsoft had to know the show can be offensive, so why get involved in the first place? To have a sudden change of heart over the show's content and walk away is suspicious. I think Microsoft knew all along they would bail and they used Fox and "Family Guy" to build hype for the Windows 7 launch. They wanted to appear edgy, but didn't have the guts to follow through.

It's possible that since Windows 7 was planned to be part of the storyline of the variety show, Microsoft may have been butting in on the creative side too much, resulting in irreconcilable differences. Maybe. But I'm more inclined to think it was a calculated move by Microsoft. I don't know about the contractual logistics of the sponsorship, but Microsoft was probably able to slip out the back door without owing Fox money.

It's a shame because the Windows 7/Family Guy partnership was creating good buzz. By retreating from "Family Guy", Microsoft is blowing a big chance to be a part of pop culture and connect with younger buyers, and that's nothing to "giggitty giggitty" about.

Why do you think Microsoft suddenly ended the Family Guy sponsorship? Let me know your thoughts.

Shane O'Neill is a senior writer at CIO.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/smoneill. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter at twitter.com/CIOonline.

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Average (1 vote)

All Comments Comments

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 13:21 EDT

giggity, giggity

Posted by: Thomas Wailgum
Rating:

Meg Griffin has a better chance of getting a date this Friday night than did Microsoft of ever going through with this. (That is to say, not a chance.)

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Reply to this comment | Post new comment | Report as spam

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 15:47 EDT

Microsoft gets 'Cold Feet' remains Uncool

Posted by: MarkT.
Rating:

Shane - I agree with your reasoning 100%. And I half expect Seth to write in a number of subliminal 'blue screen' flashes/timeouts on an upcoming episode as a back-handed homage to the Windows sponsorship bailout.
And if that does occur, at least Microsoft can take solace that they didn't back away from a deal to sponsor a South Park episode.

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Reply to this comment | Post new comment | Report as spam

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 8:44 EDT

Too Un-cool

Posted by: Anonymous
Rating:

Yes – I’ve been waiting to buy a new laptop for a few years because of wanting Windows 7, and thought the Family Guy hitch was kind-of cool. I’m in my mid-40’s and recognize how crude the show is, but as you said, it’s so outrageous it’s funny. My wife doesn’t get the show, and I won’t let my 13 year old watch it because of the insinuations and punch lines. Too un-cool Microsoft….

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Reply to this comment | Post new comment | Report as spam

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 10:14 EDT

It's about class

Posted by: Anonymous
Rating:

Microsoft's advertising strategy for Windows 7 hasn't been particularly effective, but this was a good move. Why link your product with a show that is so offensive to many that you risk a serious backlash?

Seriously, I don't care if you think the show is funny, it's the worst kind of humor and not anything any business of repute would want to sponsor - even Microsoft. The fact you wouldn't want your 13-year-old to watch it should make you question why YOU watch it.

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Reply to this comment | Post new comment | Report as spam

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 11:18 EDT

Microsoft made the right move

Posted by: Andrew S. Baker (ASB)
Rating:

Microsoft made the right move. Whether they were always planning to bail out, or they just realized that no good would ultimately come of it, it was a more corporately responsible decision in the end.

Windows 7 is cool enough in its own right, that it does not need to be attached to the prevailing pop culture.

Microsoft is currently getting all the buzz it needs for Windows 7, from all the right venues, and does not need this one. Business adoption is what will drive the most sales, anyway, so that's who they need to reach.

ASB (My XeeSM Profile)
Providing Competitive Advantage through Effective IT Leadership

You do not have flash or javascript support.

Reply to this comment | Post new comment | Report as spam

Post new comment

* Subject:

* Username:

* E-mail:

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Homepage:

* Body:

Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <blockquote> <strike> <p> <br>
Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options

Are you a person?: *