MSI goes viral with a butt-clenching video

Taiwan's MSI has yet to make the impact of Acer or Asus, but its viral video competition is certainly going to raise the company's profile MSI (Micro Star International) is the junior member of Taiwan's big three PC brands, but a viral video on YouTube will increase its name recognition, even if it doesn't sell too many machines. The video -- billed as Guy Catches Laptop With His Butt -- sort of demonstrates just how thin are the laptops in its X-Series range. (I reviewed an X-340 in Technophile.) But it's also a challenge. MSI is also holding a competition for people to make their own "crazy" X-Slim videos. The prize is an X-Slim laptop plus the chance to Xperience Paradise in the form of a free trip to the Great Barrier Reef, and there will be 15 winners. That could tempt at least a few video experts to have a go. The video might have been inspired by Guy Catches Glasses With Face , but it's funnier than the average computer promotion. There's obviously a downside, but it might not be as much of a downside in Asia as it is in the pretentious parts of California. And at this stage, MSI presumably takes the view that all publicity is good publicity.

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MSI goes viral with a butt-clenching video

Philips ad pokes fun at George Bush

Electronics brand Philips has capitalised on the inauguration of Barack Obama as US president with a national press campaign featuring George W Bush and its "Power4Life" electronic charger with the strapline "For whenever you lose power". The ad, a one-off tactical campaign timed to coincide with Obama's presidential inauguration in Washington DC, is running in national newspapers across the UK today. Philips' ad, created by ad agency DDB London, features a head shot of Bush who looks as if it has only just dawned on him that he no longer holds the most powerful job in the world. "To focus on Bush losing power while everyone is witnessing Obama gaining it, gives us huge impact," said Neil Dawson, global creative director on the Philips account at DDB London. "It was a tactical opportunity that was too good to miss." The ad promotes Philips' Power4Life "all-in-one portable charger" that allows users to power up devices, such as iPods and mobile phones, from one point. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.

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Philips ad pokes fun at George Bush