In an attempt to appeal to female customers, the marketing team at Microsoft would like to inform ladies that computers can be used for life's greatest challenges, like planning your wedding.
The company's newest ad campaign, coined "Honestly," features a bride-to-be sitting with her friends. Thanks to her shrewd decision to forgo an Apple laptop for a Windows touchscreen, they can now optimize new-fangled technology to check Pinterest and search for the wedding band.
"It's more affordable, it looks GREAT, and it's perfect for planning my wedding," the actress beams from a sun-filled living room.
The ads, which promote Microsoft's new All-in-One product, are just the latest in a series of misguided attempts to draw more women customers.
Back in December, the company was forced to change the language of a customizable letter for their "We got your back" promotion after it blatantly characterized women as non-gamers. One such option read:
"Hey honey, not sure if you've heard, but Xbox One is available. That means we can start playing games like Dead Rising 3. I know, I know. You'd rather knit than watch me slay zombies, but hear me out on this. Xbox One is actually for both of us…"
Microsoft's sexism doesn't stop with their marketing either. In fact, nearly 80 percent of the entire company is made of men. Only two out of the company's nine board members are women.
While attitudes may be shifting for women in the tech industry, campaigns like Microsoft's "Honestly" ad are evidence sexism persists and women continue to be left out of better, higher-paying opportunities found in programming jobs.
But never mind the dangerous ramifications of such gender gaps. If only the woman's friends featured in the new ad could "like their bridesmaids dresses as much as" her Windows All-in-One, all would be well.