Sunday, September 02, 2012

Microsoft Surface Tablets Feature On Walls in NYC – a Clever Ad Campaign or Urban Fan Mail?

Is Microsoft  advertising its Surface tablets in a brand new way; on walls in the streets of NYC?

The Verge first posted a gallery of photos showcasing Surface artwork on a building wall in New York City. The wall features three tablet outlines, including colored keyboard attachments. The wall was professionally highlighted by lights (beyond your average street lanterns).

The mural advertisement does not provide any pricing information or product details. It only displays the word "Surface" in the center of each rectangle.

This leaves the question open if  this is:
(1)  an official Microsoft campaign, or
(2) the product of a dedicated fan with (too much)  time on his/ her hands.

Microsoft declined to comment on the street art. An official spokesperson only remarked that "unfortunately, at this time, we have nothing more to share regarding the advertisements."

It would not be the first time that Microsoft used creative advertising tactics. Windows Phone 7 was featured in street graffiti in 2010 in San Francisco, which left the city's Department of Public Works at the time quite upset. Microsoft also used similar doodles during its 2002 MSN launch.

Microsoft announced its upcoming family of Surface tablets in June. According to the company, the devices are the newest platform for its next-generation Windows 8 operating system. CEO Steve Ballmer boasted that he expects Microsoft to sell at least several million Surface tablets following its October 2012 launch.

That still did not answer the question if the writing on the wall is a clever ad campaign or urban fan mail.......

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