[Windows Phone 7 General] Wyn6:
You're right, word of mouth is a form of marketing. I know because based on my word of mouth, 10 people have switched to WP and another 3 plan to do so, 9 of those are from Android, the others are from the Pre and feature phones.

But, since this is a marketing thread about what MS should do to gain more awareness of the OS (not sure how Android and iphone keep coming up in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with either of them) let's talk about that. I will however wager $20 that the normal handful of windows phone opponents will seek to make this anything but what the thread is about.

The stuff that Brandon Foy is doing is great in a hip, upbeat sense. But, it's far too busy for the average television commercial, at least in the U.S. It would behoove MS to have something that is more straightforward and to the point.

A series of spots showing various features of the phone. Show what's unique about the phone, UI, Live tiles, Hub Concept, Integration. Show this with "real people" in "real situations" using the phone's features.

A Voiceover as a girl sits in her room at her computer. She pops up and starts throwing on clothes.

VO: "A night out with a few friends."

She taps the Bing button and brings up Local Scout. She taps an event.

VO: "Bing Local Scout can help you finds great things to see, do, eat, and drink in any area. And, when you do, you can get in touch with the people who are important to you anywhere, anytime... on Facebook, Instant Messenger, and Text"

How about...?

Show the switch to text from Facebook

VO: "All in the same conversation without ever leaving the messaging hub."

Sounds great!

She steps out of the door of her urban apartment. It's night time. She doesn't walk but somehow moves down the street, the world around her blurs by at hyperspeed. The Phone is in constant view of the camera.

VO: "And, if you need to keep in touch with all the people who are important to you in one convenient place, you've got groups for that."

The Groups Tile shows a kaleidoscope of pics then flips to show "New Messages". She taps the Groups Hub on her phone that reads" The Crew/Guys" She scrolls through to show the people in her group then hits sms.

Text: On my way.

She stops. A dress in a store window with an expensive price tag catches her eye.

VO: "Something catch your eye? Let Bing Vision help you find what you want."

She uses Bing Vision on the tag to pull up a better deal elsewhere. She smiles. That's going to be her new dress.

Again she moves without walking, city lights strafing around her. Suddenly, the world seems to slow down and goes back to normal as she has arrived at her destination.

She opens the door and goes in and...

SURPRISE!!!

A large group of friends shower her with confetti as she enters. A great big smile, a laugh, and hugs.

"Windows Phone. Put People first."

Whatever. Something like that.

For non-US or countries that don't currently have access to Bing services there would be a showcasing of other features.

Also, you could have spots show off several features w/ voiceover and end with the voiceover saying:

VO: "Oh. And, apps... yeah we got those too."

You would then go from a TIGHT shot on the famous Wall of Apps to a quick PULL OUT and REVEAL of the thousands of apps the platform currently has.

Anyway... something along those lines or variations thereof. The main thing is to show WHAT the phone can do and what is unique about it.