Microsoft's new OS Vista "Welcome Center" screen, seen by all PC users when they start their computers, will display ads. Because that practice has caused complaints, the company is facing trouble from the U.S. Department of Justice as well as states attorneys general who are considering legal action. A report was filed last Wednesday with the judge handling Microsoft's antitrust compliance.
With millions if not billions of people viewing that screen on initial boot at least a few times a week, calling it prime advertising real estate is an understatement. While TV has died as a mass media, Microsoft's "Welcome Center" will cause marketers to drool over its reach but cause extreme concern among those who feel Microsoft will use the space to promote the company's own products.
UPDATE: Catch the "diggversation" over here where diggers crucify Adrants Farker-style.
UPDATE II: Here's the actual legal brief (pdf) that confirms the story except for our misinterpretation about the ads appearing every time Vista is booted versus just during initial boot.
Now here's an ad for a CD you don't see very often. We leave it to the music aficionados to inform us whether or not this image makes any sense for the album being promoted.
UPDATE: In comments, a reader provides more detail, writing, "Well, actually, the CD is quite cool. Not so very new, though. The singer is also a model and obviously endeavours to do it all in a very arty-crafty way. There is also a DVD with bonus material - all very artistic, as well. Not very much like the usual mainstream Jessica-Simpson crap. It is indeed cool artwork. So yes, the whole thing makes sense in a way."
AdJab points to an AdWeek story about a trailer for the movie Date Movie which centers on the Carl's Jr. Paris Hilton sex-with-a-car ad and neither even point to the trailer they're writing about. Granted, the trailer's been out for a couple weeks, the movie will suck and once you've seen one Carl's spoof, you've seen them all but rather than inconvenience you by making you search for the video yourselves, we did a quick search and can point you to the spot here on iFilm along with plenty of other clips from the movie. Poor Allison Hannigan. On the other hand, who thought American Pie would be any good so we'll reserve judgement until the movie's released.
