Microsoft channel partners are eager for the software giant's much-ballyhooed $300 million brand-polishing advertising campaign to begin, but some aren't sure that comedian Jerry Seinfeld is the right guy for the job.

But Andrew Kretzer, director of sales and marketing at Bold Data Technology, a Fremont, Calif.-based system builder, says Microsoft's decision to hire Seinfeld simply shows that Microsoft is out of touch. “I find it ironic that in order to 'out hip' Apple, Microsoft is hiring a comedian whose prime was a decade ago. They may as well have Phil Collins do the background music while they're at it,” he said.

Bob Nitrio, president of RanVest Associates, a system builder based Orangeville, Calif., isn't sure that Seinfeld is the right choice for tackling the task of rebuilding Microsoft's image in the post-Vista age and delivering a long overdue counterpunch to Apple.

Source:→ CRN