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Remember the days of college when theme parties were all the rage, with motifs ranging from funny and crazy to just good old fashioned fun? Microsoft recently just announced a new, rather unique, twist on the age-old theme party for the much-anticipated release of the new Windows 7 OS set to release on October 22. The initiative encourages thousands of employees, partners, and technology enthusiasts, to throw parties in their homes or communities to demonstrate and help spread the word about the new OS. Microsoft is planning more than 1,000 parties worldwide, in hopes that around 10,000 people will attend in 12 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, India, and China.
There are four themes for the party that official hosts can choose from: PhotoPalooza, Media Mania, Setting Up With Ease and Family Friendly Fun. While some sound a bit more enticing than others, Microsoft is taking an extra step by providing hosts with a Party Pack which includes, Windows 7 playing cards, puzzles, streamers, balloons, napkins, a centerpiece, and 10 Windows 7 tote bags for party guests. Not only will guests receive party favors, the hosts will be given an exclusive signature edition of Windows 7 Ultimate and non-employees will be entered into a drawing to win a $750 dollar PC.
The theme-party marketing initiative has already stirred up a good amount of buzz within the tech world. As mentioned in a recent podcast with Shel Holtz, the fact that Microsoft is launching Windows 7 in such a manner really suggests a strong vote of confidence for the new OS, which has received much more positive press than its predecessor Vista. It remains to be seen if these parties will be a success given the strong consideration Microsoft will be giving the hosts.
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The launch parties, which will be held between Oct 22-29, will definitely be something to keep an eye on. From the social media perspective, the initiative may be a very successful word-of-mouth marketing engine, that would generate a number of blog posts, reviews, and other user-generated-content which may either make-or-break the new Windows 7 OS. If you're interested in throwing your own Windows 7 Launch Theme Party, sign up via the House Party site to be considered. Otherwise, sit back, watch and listen as Microsoft re-invents the “theme party” as we know it.
What are your thoughts on the Windows 7 Launch Party initiative? Will Launch Parties re-invent the user-experient around products, like software, and how they are marketed? If you are throwing your own Windows 7 Launch Party, I'd love to hear from you.
