People in your social network died from dysentery, and you had a pet you carried around in your pocket which also died. Or, at least that's what Microsoft is trying to remind members of Generation Y by touching on deep nostalgia. Running a new ad reminding 90's kids of things like Oregon Trail and Tamagotchi Pets in order to promote Internet Explorer.
It's not hard to see why Microsoft would take this approach. After all, Microsoft grew up with children of the 90s and became popular in the process. Most likely Microsoft is trying to further reestablish itself as the "cool" brand over Apple while putting over Internet Explorer in the process.
This is all part of their new "Browser You Loved to Hate" campaign. The whole thing is full of comparisons between now and the 90s. Microsoft is reminding people that in the 90s a troll was nothing more than a potbellied creature whose hair stood straight up, and bowl haircuts took 4 minutes instead of $60.
Will this work? Anyone with a Facebook is bombarded with reminders from their friends that they are 90s kids. Pictures of "Rugrats" or "The Wild Thornberrys" popping up over everyone's news feed reinforces the point. Can Microsoft tap into this nostalgia 90s kids have and sell to Generation Y? Only time will tell if Microsoft can tap into the past to pave the future.
The ad, along with the rest of this campaign, can be seen at http://browseryoulovedtohate.com/
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