EPICANTHUS

Back in April when her first “I’m a PC, and I’m 4½” for Windows Live Gallery first hit the airwaves, she was called everything from adorable to annoying. Epicanthus tried to go a little further in depth on the little tyke, but was frustrated by the wall of secrecy erected by Microsoft’s ad agency and PR firm. Now we know why; Microsoft had bigger plans for the Orange County, Calif. preschooler.

Last week (Oct. 22) Redmond went all-in with Windows 7, its sleek and fast apology for Windows’ legacy of trash OS rollouts, and along for the ride was little Kylie—more annoying adorable than ever.

Now, the newest 30-second ad — designed by Microsoft’s agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky — taps into the innocence of a four-and-a-half year old child to highlight Windows 7’s vaunted user friendliness.

Responses from commenters on both the Windows 7 team blog as well as on Twitter varied, ranging from “it’s sickeningly sweet,” to “her innocent ignorance of Windows is very cute indeed.”

• Ballmer & Kylie Officially Reveal Windows 7, AdAge
• Microsoft Kylie Takes to Airwaves for Windows 7, internetnews.com
• What is an ad? joewilcox.com
• Precocious 5-year-old Gives Windows 7 Pitch, Sharon Pian Chan, The Seattle Times
• Lifehacker’s Compleat Guide to Windows 7, Lifehacker
• Inside the Ad Factory, Crispin Porter + Bogusky
• Can Alex Bogusky Help Microsoft Beat Apple? Fast Company
• Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, Microsoft PR