Microsoft Pulls "iPhones r Gay" Ad Campaign After Numerous Complaints

On Monday, Microsoft pulled an ad campaign in which it intended to defame the iPhone platform while exalting its own Windows Phone platform. The “iPhones r gay” campaign has received more than 1,900,000 complaints since it went nationwide two weeks ago. Microsoft has pulled the entire ad campaign and issued an apology.

“Microsoft wants to extend its deepest apologies to the homosexual community. We were under the impression that using the word ‘gay’ now held absolutely no ties to homosexuality and was now instead just used by teenagers to describe unappealing or awkward things or people,” said Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Romano Schwartz, “You know, now that I’ve said that out loud I kinda get where you’re coming from, though.”

“I play a lot of Call of Duty on LIVE and I guess after a while you just kinda figure it’s something people just say now. When I was a kid ‘fart’ was a bad word, you know.”

Microsoft originally started the campaign to appeal to a “young and hip” fan base who text and throw the word ‘gay’ around like it’s nothing. The slogan was being used to market Windows Phone devices which have seen a steady, sharp decline in popularity since the campaign was moved from it’s test-bed in rural Oklahoma, to a country-wide campaign including full bus-wraps, billboards, and in-store displays.

Shel Carter, store manager of AT&T Store #858303 said when she unwrapped the new display she was shocked.

“We get some edgy campaigns from time to time, and that’s ok. I’d say that a 6-foot-tall glitter-rainbow-iPhone with the bold letters ‘GAY’ across it, and immediately next to it a 6-foot Samsung Focus with the words ‘Totally NOT Gay’ on it was really crossing the line, “ said Carter.

“We all went through the box expecting to see that this was some kind of joke, but sure as shit; it’s legit. We just boxed it back up and threw it in the recycle bin. Portland probably isn’t the best place for that ad. Maybe try West Virginia.”

Microsoft’s Schwartz offered an additional apology and reassurance on his blog shortly after his press conference. “I assure you, Microsoft is just fine with homosexuals. We have thousands of them working here—well, we did until this campaign when most of them walked out with no notice. I swear though, we went into this thing with good intentions.”

The negative press has weighed heavily on Microsoft’s reputation. The Windows Phone started off weak but has recently proved itself to be significant player in the smartphone market. Unfortunately for Microsoft they are back to square one.

On a related note Microsoft is also looking into it’s recent campaign against the Blackberry and will likely pull the “RIM is for Retards” competitive-upgrade program it started last fall.