Microsoft’s(more info) Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner(more info) has taken everyone by surprise during the Microsoft’s 2009 World Partner Conference. He not only told partners about the upcoming Microsoft’s Store this fall to be placed in proximity to Apple Store (more info) but also told the story about the greatest single call ever taken in business by him. According to Turner, the company got a call from Apple lawyers asking it to stop running the Laptop Hunter ads(watch video) after the recent drop in the MAC product line. Excerpts from his fascinating story.
And so we’ve been running these PC value ads. Just giving people saying, hey, what are you looking to spend? “Oh, I’m looking to spend less than $1,000.” Well we’ll give you $1,000. Go in and look and see what you can buy. And they come out and they just show them. Those are completely unscripted commercials. And you know why I know they’re working? Because two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying, hey — this is a true story — saying, “Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.” They took like $100 off or something. It was the greatest single phone call in the history that I’ve ever taken in business. (Applause.)
He also stated in clear terms that they are not going to stop and will keep running them and running them and running them. Laptop Hunter are the ads which Microsoft claim as the unscripted commercials and they are getting lot of mileage out of it. It showcases everyday people who can’t afford MAC(more info) and end up happy buying cheap Windows machine. Apple asked Microsoft to stop running outdated and inaccurate ads as they have slashed down the prices of MAC in June. Microsoft’s also openly challenged Apple by announcing its store right next door to Apple Store. Finally, Microsoft learned the art of attacking its rivals from all sides. I really love the way they are handling Apple. We are eagerly awaiting response from Apple.
Follow-Up
Ars Technica : Apple demanded Microsoft to stop its Laptop Hunters ads by Emil Protalinski
Technologizer : About Those Totally Unscripted Microsoft Commercials… by Harry McCracken
Techgeist : Laptop Hunters Will Have To Go by Michael Klurfeld
TechFlash : Microsoft exec: Apple lawyers tried to squelch Windows ads by Todd Bishop
CNET News : Microsoft: Apple wanted ‘Laptop Hunters’ ads pulled by Steven Musil
CrunchGear : The Microsoft Store is real, first locations to open this fall by Devin Coldewey
