Microsoft pulls plug on Family Guy sponsorship
Last week, we reported that an episode of “Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show” was set to be sponsored by Microsoft and have Windows 7 themed content.
However, after attending a preview of the show, Microsoft have pulled the plug on sponsoring the show, deeming the content inappropriate for their target audience.
Here is the company line from Microsoft:
“We initially chose to participate in the Seth and Alex variety show based on the audience composition and creative humor of ‘Family Guy,’ but after reviewing an early version of the variety show it became clear that the content was not a fit with the Windows brand… We continue to have a good partnership with Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas. We continue to believe in the value of brand integrations and partnerships between brands, media companies and talent.”
Cracks at “deaf people, the holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest” seem to be have been the topics that finally sounded the death toll for this marketing disaster.
It’s a lose/lose situation for both parties here; Microsoft lose the cool factor of being associated with the edgy animated comedy, while Family Guy has alienated a huge number of its fans who believe it has sold its soul for the corporate buck.
