July 8, 2022, 9:23 am | Read time: 7 minutes
It’s always nice to spot a familiar face in a TV commercial! TECHBOOK knows which stars have already advertised products or brands in the tech sector and showcases a few real gems here.
Celebrity endorsement–the recruitment of celebrities as advertising faces or brand ambassadors–remains one of the most successful strategies for companies to market themselves or a product. The reasons are obvious: Fans want to emulate their idols, the sender is cast in a positive light, which benefits the image and sales figures, and so on. For the stars, appearing in commercials is worthwhile, not least from a monetary perspective. And often, it’s also worthwhile for the viewer: The spots are usually very high-quality productions and sometimes extremely entertaining. TECHBOOK shows which stars have already advertised for tech products.
Overview
- Jennifer Aniston & Matthew Perry for Windows 95
- Jerry Seinfeld for Microsoft
- David Beckham for Motorola Aura
- Kate Moss for Nikon S9
- Shakira for the Nokia 5110
- Paul Rudd for Super Nintendo
- Catherine Zeta Jones for T-Mobile Wireless
- Justin Timberlake and Peyton Manning for Sony
- Kevin Costner for Apple Lisa
- Shaquille O’Neal for Comcast
Jennifer Aniston & Matthew Perry for Windows 95
In a cult commercial for Windows 95, Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry, both stars from the popular U.S. sitcom “Friends,” show their usual amusing side. However, the commercial is longer than the individual episodes of the series were back then: For about 30 minutes, the actors have the Windows 95 operating system explained to them at the Microsoft headquarters. The funny story about Aniston’s and Perry’s Windows 95 commercial with the full video is available at TECHBOOK. Here’s a brief glimpse:
Jerry Seinfeld for Microsoft
While Microsoft founder Bill Gates did not appear in the Aniston-Perry spot, he makes a big appearance alongside actor Jerry Seinfeld.
The stars play themselves in the commercial. It shows Seinfeld strolling through a shopping mall, where he unexpectedly discovers the mega-entrepreneur Gates in a shoe discount store. He rushes to him and advises him with full physical effort on his selection. In the end, they stroll together to the parking lot, both with a churro in hand, and Seinfeld asks some very unusual questions about future Microsoft products.
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David Beckham for Motorola Aura
In 2008, former soccer star David Beckham also appeared in front of the camera for electronics manufacturer Motorola, specifically for its mobile phone Motorola Aura. In the spot, Beckham does what he does best: look good. The camera pans from the lower body upwards over the athlete’s steel torso to his serious-looking face. Together with the lighting effects, the Briton looks like a robot. In his hand, he holds the advertised device, whose look–according to the company–is inspired by luxury watches. However, luxury also promises the price: The phone was launched at a suggested retail price of 1,999 euros.
Also interesting: Many strengths, small weaknesses–the Motorola Edge 30 Pro in review
Kate Moss for Nikon S9
This star is also primarily associated with good looks: Supermodel Kate Moss. In 2009, she advertised the S9 camera from Nikon. Not much happens in the spot: Moss lounges lasciviously on a staircase and poses with the digital camera.
Shakira for the Nokia 5110
Much more happens in this Nokia spot from 2001. The commercial shows a concert by Colombian singer Shakira, but she herself is stuck in traffic. Shakira grabs her Nokia 5110 and calls her rather tense agent. To avoid keeping the fans waiting any longer, they come up with an idea: Shakira starts singing–into the phone, and her agent holds the speakerphone to the microphone. She sings and sings and jumps onto a motorcycle, allowing her to pass the stationary cars. Finally arriving at the stage, she swaps the phone for her microphone.
Paul Rudd for Super Nintendo
In 2021, actor Paul Rudd was named “Sexiest Man Alive.” This surprised the actor, who is actually better known as a goofball and for self-deprecating characters, even more than the general public.
A truly quirky appearance that fits him perfectly: Rudd’s role in a Super Nintendo commercial from 1991. The then 22-year-old discovers a giant screen and a console–a Super Nintendo–on a dark street. With dramatic determination, he inserts a game cartridge and starts playing. He doesn’t stay alone for long: His performance attracts numerous spectators who gather around him enthusiastically. The slogan almost seems prophetic: “Now you’re playing with power. Super power.” One of Rudd’s biggest successes to date will be his role as Ant-Man in the Marvel universe years later.
Catherine Zeta Jones for T-Mobile Wireless
Finding the right phone plan can be a relatively monotonous topic. It’s best to sell the plan with a beautiful woman. T-Mobile also flirts with this idea in a spot from 2007, starring superstar Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The commercial is set in a U.S. suburb, where a team of economists has been sent to educate residents about optimization possibilities regarding phone contracts. The gentlemen have doors slammed in their faces one after another. Only when actress Zeta-Jones appears at the threshold, with flowing hair and in a magenta, form-fitting dress, do the potential new customers become attentive.
Justin Timberlake and Peyton Manning for Sony
Musician and actor Justin Timberlake has participated in a whole series of commercials and campaigns for Sony. Often by his side: former American football player and quarterback legend Peyton Manning.
It can indeed be called a major advertising offensive. The background was sales slumps due to the severe recession in the U.S. Sony recruited numerous stars alongside Timberlake and Manning to boost demand for its products, such as camcorders, e-books, TVs, laptops, and cameras, through funny commercials.
In one of the spots, Timberlake plays “Media Monster Wars.” It’s a social media app that Sony claims to have developed together with the star. As the commercial states, the app creates an “unbeatable monster” based on the user’s Facebook wall (photo and video uploads, comments, and likes). You can then compete against Timberlake with it.
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Kevin Costner for Apple Lisa
Admittedly, Kevin Costner is just one of countless stars Apple has been able to recruit for advertising. However, his spot stands out.
The actor presents Apple’s first computer with a graphical user interface and mouse: the Mac predecessor Lisa. This soon proved incompatible with other Apple products, which is why Lisa sold poorly and was soon discontinued. Costner, who of course could not have known about the technical problems, shows in the commercial how easy office work is supposed to be with Lisa.
Shaquille O’Neal for Comcast
Last but not least, a funny tech commercial from Comcast Corporation. In addition to former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, the cable network and internet provider was able to recruit both U.S. actor Ben Stein and host Giuliana Rancic. The plot: An award ceremony–with flashlights, red carpet, and all the trimmings–where O’Neal and Stein are honored as business partners for their joint work, the “Hollywood HD Triple Play.”
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