Microsoft desperately copying Apple with "Microsoft Gurus" "Microsoft on Friday said that its $300 million marketing campaign will now involve in-store representatives to promote the brand, the company's general manager of corporate communications, Tom Pilla, says. Effectively mimicking Apple's Geniuses as well as their floor specialists, Microsoft will run a trial later this year that sees 155 trained experts in Windows, nicknamed Microsoft Gurus, answering questions at larger retail chains such as Best Buy and Circuit City.

The Gurus will answer both general questions about computers and giving their own demos of different Microsoft programs and services working in tandem, including Windows Vista as well as Windows Mobile-based smartphones and Windows Live web features. Like their Apple counterparts, the Windows-focused agents won't be paid by commission and will instead focus on their ability to help whichever customers they receive." Via Electronista .

MacDailyNews has the best quote to sum up "Microsoft Gurus".

"MacDailyNews Take: Why "Gurus?" Because if they were "geniuses," they'd already be Mac users.

Labels: apple, microsoft

  ¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/05/2008 11:36:00 PM