Super Bowl Sunday has came and went, with the big winner being... Microsoft (MSFT +0.22%). In addition to being headquartered a mere 30 minutes away from the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks, and with team owner, Paul Allen, a Microsoft co-founder, Microsoft has many reasons to be cheerful today.
However, their new ad is what many people are talking about today. Microsoft's outgoing CEO, Steve Ballmer, has been feverishly working to transform Microsoft from a software entity to a "devices and services" company. The Super Bowl commercial, entitled "Empowering" went a step beyond, essentially focusing on technology's effects on the end user.
The ad was eerily reminiscent of Apple's (AAPL 1.49%) recent ads. Of course, Ballmer was criticized for following Apple's strategy during this devices and services transition, but Microsoft appears to have some tailwinds going forward and this commercial points toward a vision-defined firm.
Apple, not one to be outdone, skipped a formal Super Bowl commercial, instead opting to release a short movie on YouTube and its website.
Jamal Carnette talks recent ads with Evan Niu, CFA.
