In the spirit of the holiday season, Microsoft today released a new ad that focuses on calling for peace between the company and its public rival, Apple. The 60-second advertisement sees Microsoft employees making their way from the company’s new Fifth Avenue store in New York City over to Apple's flagship store to share a festive carol with the Apple employees and others.


The ad's event took place on November 16, with Microsoft employees from around the country joining together in New York City -- along with a local NYC children's youth choir -- to sing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" to a group of Apple workers. Microsoft had to get permission from Apple to film outside the storefront, according to AdAge, due to New York City's strict security rules. Beginning December 3, the ad will run on television, along with the debut of a longer two minute version online.

Most of Microsoft's messaging over the past few years has been in spots that directly compared the company's products with its rivals', with a focus on Apple, and listing reasons why customers would prefer the Microsoft option. Last year the company compared the Surface Pro 3 with the MacBook Air to the tune of a Christmas jingle for its main holiday commercial, so this year's peace-centered message is definitely a departure.

Tags: Ads, Microsoft

Top Rated Comments

MonkeySee.... Avatar
129 months ago
Hang on. Did they just leave a store full of customers??

Oh...wait.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sunday Ironfoot Avatar
129 months ago
...focuses on calling for peace between the company and its public rival, Apple.
Peace? Don't they mean surrender? :-)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jett0516 Avatar
129 months ago
Samsung will copy this. :D
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alchemist Avatar
129 months ago
Christmas Ads here in the UK are a BIG deal. Stores like John Lewis and Sainsbury's have produced truly amazing ads the last few years with messages that (in some people's eyes) transcend commercialism and capitalism. This year there isn't really one that has stood out to me... I'm amazed to say that this Microsoft advert might be the one that's impressed me the most. Nice work ad men.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NStocks Avatar
129 months ago
LOL

They have so sing outside an Apple store to get noticed, since nobody would see them at Microsoft stores.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sblemmy Avatar
129 months ago
Microsoft and Apple should work together to crush their real competition: Google.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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