Adweek Media's Campaign of the Decade: Apple's Get a Mac ads

As Apple fans, we've loved Apple's "Get a Mac" ad campaign. With Justin Long as the cool, laid-back Mac and John Hodgman starring as the stodgy, uptight PC, the ads have managed to make us laugh since they first appeared in 2006. The campaign has spawned the "I'm a PC" response ads from Microsoft, which aren't nearly as fun or effective as the original (if we do say so ourselves).

The ads have been incredibly effective at getting Apple's message across -- Macs just work, with no bloatware, few viruses and little malware, and Mac users can do a lot with the provided iLife software.

AdweekMedia has paid tribute to the campaign in its Best of the 2000s awards, giving the Campaign of the Decade plaudits to Apple and TBWA / Media Arts Lab for the memorable ads.

That's not the only Apple campaign that received an award -- the iPod "Silhouettes" campaign won the Out of Home Ad of the Decade prize. Out of Home ads (AKA outdoor advertising) consist of those advertisements that are shown on billboards, buses, and kiosks rather than on television or in print. The awards were voted upon by the editors of AdweekMedia, and reader's choice awards were also listed. The "Get a Mac" campaign was third place in reader voting, while "Silhouettes" picked up the number one spot from readers in its category.

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Source: http://www.bestofthe2000s.com/

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iPod Family Odds and ends Apple

As Apple fans, we've loved Apple's "Get a Mac" ad campaign. With Justin Long as the cool, laid-back Mac and John Hodgman starring as the...

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jonathn474

Well that was amazing, i really enjoyed that reading this blog, even gave me many tips to do and now i will share it with my friends and will have lot of fun, i will also teach it to my brother who will also enjoy by sharing it with his friends.

Mio Navman Spirit S300

December 15 2009 at 4:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

David Robison

Hey Jordan, I bet you're a charmer at parties.

If Windows has had those great features since XP, then why are they spending gazillions on ads trumpeting them as new in Win 7? And have you ever really worked with wireless networks on XP? It's a pain in the a$$â€”you know, like try and enter a hidden wireless network that has security.

December 15 2009 at 1:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

3 replies to David Robison's comment

David Robison

Since no one actually asked me, here are my ideas that respond to some of the exciting new claims about Windows 7:

Hodgman: One of our users thought up quick wake from sleep and we made sure that she approved the final product, which is on one laptop model.

Long: Oh, well all our laptops have done that for about 10 years now.

Hodgman: well yes, but another one of our users came up with the idea of easy switching for wireless networks! Top that Mac!

Long: Yeah, well again, all our laptops have been doing that too for about 10 years. Our users didn't even have to ask us.

[Note to self, keep day job.]

December 15 2009 at 12:15 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bob6stringer

No surprise. Adweek uses Macs (in editorial and I think art). Their audience consists of Ad agencies who are also predominantly Macs. And/or: Maybe the campaign deserved to win.

I still have a soft spot in my head for the old I used to work for Adweek Group, as a reporter for Brandweek (when they had a much full editorial staff). We used then-new First-gen iMacs. That job turned me onto the Mac and iTunes, and led me to a Mac for my next computer purchase.

So I'm wistful.

December 14 2009 at 9:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Bob6stringer's comment

Bob6stringer

Gee, the reporter didn't proofread... I meant to say:

"I still have a soft spot in my head for the old THINK DIFFERENT ads."

Bob6 regrets the error.

December 14 2009 at 9:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gregg Palmer

I always thought the Jack in the Box ads were great...especially after people died from eating your product. Technically they should be out of business...

December 14 2009 at 7:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Gregg Palmer's comment

Fred

I don't see you railing against Ford. I understand what you are saying, but Jack in the Box is actually one of the safer places to get a burger now.

December 15 2009 at 11:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ijohnjones

I miss the "Silhouettes" ads. They were so energetic and really made you want to get up and dance. Not that the whole "There's an App for That" isn't cool as well... I would just like to see a new one.

December 14 2009 at 7:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply