Ad Man Behind 'I'm a Mac' Stepping Down

After 40 years in the business, the guy behind the “I’m a Mac” and “Think Different” ads is stepping down. Supposedly it has nothing to do with the performance of the ads, it is simply a move towards retirement.

Lee Clow has served as the chief creative officer TBWA/Media Arts Lab, which handles Apple's advertising business, for a long time. Clow is the man behind Apple's iconic "1984" ad, the Think Different campaign, the dancing silhouettes that shill iPods, and the neo-classic "Mac vs. PC" campaign starring The Daily Show guy and Drew Barrymore's sometime boyfriend.

Apple's ads have been fairly toxic as of late. Lets hope this foreshadows a change for the better in ads to come.

This guy has ruled that ad agency since day 1 and he's responsible for every ad from Apple up till the day he's out. But he's hanging around as CEO if I read that correctly earlier... letting someone else handle the actual ad stuff from now on.

The "I'm a PC" ads were never a big hit to me, always full of lies, and of course, breaking the #1 rule of advertising: You don't mention the competition by name in your own ads and give them free advertising.

Bleh.

Well he certainly has a nice portfolio. After 40 years, who doesnt deserve a nice retirement.

I'm glad. Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads used to be clever and enjoyable. But all this "Windows 7 is out...and we're switching...TO MAC ZOMG!!!" crap is just stupid as hell. Not only are the masses NOT doing anything remotely close to that, but it's just not funny, not enjoyable, and not clever at all, in any sort of way.

Originally Posted by stop!theradio

I'm glad. Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads used to be clever and enjoyable. But all this "Windows 7 is out...and we're switching...TO MAC ZOMG!!!" crap is just stupid as hell. Not only are the masses NOT doing anything remotely close to that, but it's just not funny, not enjoyable, and not clever at all, in any sort of way.

I totally agree. Mac/PC preferences aside, some of the first "Im a Mac" ads were quite clever. The newest ones are quite retarded. Should be interesting to see if they will stay or change from bashing windows while advertising nothing.

Originally Posted by stop!theradio

I'm glad. Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads used to be clever and enjoyable. But all this "Windows 7 is out...and we're switching...TO MAC ZOMG!!!" crap is just stupid as hell. Not only are the masses NOT doing anything remotely close to that, but it's just not funny, not enjoyable, and not clever at all, in any sort of way.

Especially since the new iMac computers are having performance issues kinda like some PCs do (hmm, when doesn't a new Apple computer launch have issues from the start?) Yup, the new iMacs are having problems playing YouTube clips and such (with Flash player using up 105% of the CPU -- not a typo).

maybe he's watching to much anime and couldn't stand the idea of facing windows7's new moe factor? http://www.japanator.com/the-os-war-...an-11521.phtml

I love the recognition they gave John Hodgman "I'm a PC" - The Daily Show Guy and Justin Long "I'm a Mac" triumphant loser in "Waiting" Drew Barrymore's sometime boyfriend.

You guys wouldn't believe how many IDIOTS believe in what is said in these ads (I'm a Mac/PC ads).
Or shall I say, "You wouldn't believe in how many IDIOTS believe in what is said in ads (any type of ad).

Glad he's finally accepted that he's not what he used to be.

If it were for me I would had helped him made a 1984 film.

I'm surprised that the same person who did the excellent ads in the past is also responsible for the latest apple ads which are totally ridiculous. The first I'm a PC ads were kind of fun, but they've been doing the same thing over and over for many years now.

Supposedly it has nothing to do with the performance of the ads

Uh, the Apple ads have been a success. The iPod silhouette idea was brilliant. You gotta love sensationalist headlines where there are none.

Originally Posted by jinjuku

Supposedly it has nothing to do with the performance of the ads

Uh, the Apple ads have been a success. The iPod silhouette idea was brilliant. You gotta love sensationalist headlines where there are none.

You gotta love raving fanboys who infer implications that weren't there.

The original Apple hammer ad was the only Apple ad I ever enjoyed. A classic for sure.

Originally Posted by stop!theradio

I'm glad. Apple's "I'm a Mac" ads used to be clever and enjoyable. But all this "Windows 7 is out...and we're switching...TO MAC ZOMG!!!" crap is just stupid as hell. Not only are the masses NOT doing anything remotely close to that, but it's just not funny, not enjoyable, and not clever at all, in any sort of way.

That one was crap, yes, but the other new one - where the PC guy gets younger and younger until he smugly says, "it's not gonna have any of the problems Windows 2 had," is hilarious IMO. It's the funniest "I'm a PC" ad they've had in a while.

From a business perspective, however, the fact that Apple devotes 100% of its advertising time to trashing a single competitor really says something.

http://gizmodo.com/5394060/apple-ad-...going-anywhere

Hey Everyone:

So we tried to promote Duncan Milner because of the great job he's been doing leading the Media Arts Lab and look at how the blogosphere decided to make it a conversation about me.

As you all know, I'm here every day meddling in everything that goes on, pushing the creative on many brands including keeping an eye on Apple.

I remain Chairman of MAL, Global Creative Director of Media Arts and Chief Creative Officer of TBWA Worldwide.

I'm not going anywhere.

Love, Lee

So in short, nothing to see here, move along.

Originally Posted by sub.genius

This guy has ruled that ad agency since day 1 and he's responsible for every ad from Apple up till the day he's out. But he's hanging around as CEO if I read that correctly earlier... letting someone else handle the actual ad stuff from now on.

The "I'm a PC" ads were never a big hit to me, always full of lies, and of course, breaking the #1 rule of advertising: You don't mention the competition by name in your own ads and give them free advertising.

Bleh.

And they continue to be full of lies as Apple runs out of ideas. Oh well.