Microsoft’s OneNote Team Misses the Mark with Awkward Parody Video
Update: The original video has been made private, though it was briefly available. A mirror surfaced temporarily but was also taken down. Ironically, Microsoft’s @MSOneNote Twitter account initially promoted the clip before deleting the tweet. (Final update: A preserved copy was later found thanks to a Twitter user.)
OneNote’s Recent Wins Overshadowed by Viral Misstep
The OneNote team has been making strategic moves recently, including:
- Making their note-taking app free across all platforms
- Hosting a well-received Reddit AMA with a charming verification video
However, their attempt at viral marketing through a parody of LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy And I Know It” fell painfully flat.
Why Tech Companies Should Avoid Musical Parodies
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for tech teams considering humorous marketing:
- Leave parodies to the professionals (Weird Al has made a career of this)
- Corporate humor often misses the mark (see: Nokia’s infamous Lumia rap)
- The line between ‘adorable’ and ‘awkward’ is razor-thin
While OneNote remains a capable productivity tool, this marketing attempt did nothing to showcase its actual value. The video’s rapid disappearance suggests even Microsoft recognized the misfire.
The Bigger Picture: Authenticity in Tech Marketing
This episode highlights the challenges tech companies face when trying to appear relatable. While some teams succeed with genuine, low-key approaches (like the Reddit AMA), forced attempts at virality often backfire spectacularly.
Image credit: Flickr user SBoneham under CC BY 2.0 license (modified)
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