First it was half naked metre maids in OZ that Microsoft hired to titillate developers at a TechEd conference. Now Microsoft is in trouble again after they hired dancing girls and singers who sang obscene lyrics at a European Developers Conference.The presentation to the Norwegian Developers Conference in Oslo has resulted in Microsoft once again stepping in to apologise after the song’s lyrics flashed on video screens, including, “The words MICRO and SOFT don’t apply to my penis.”
When the Metre Maids controversy blew up in Australia, Microsoft said at the time they had no idea the “meter maids” it hired to titillate attendees on the Gold Coast would be half naked after the promotional stunt backfired spectacularly.
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In Norway, the Microsoft developers were not amused, and quickly turned to Twitter to vent their concerns.
“For those not here, we had flashing disco lights, bad lyrics about penis, disco beats and dancing azure girls, so cringe worthy,” one programmer tweeted.
“Wow #Microsoft this music thing is probably the most embarrassing I’ve ever seen and heard,” tweeted another.
Within minutes of the show being over, the video of the performance was posted online, forcing Microsoft to try and explain the situation.
Microsoft’s head of corporate communications, Frank Shaw, followed that up with an apology today on Twitter.
“This routine had vulgar language, was inappropriate and was just not ok. We apologize to our customers and partners,” Shaw tweeted.
When the Australian event went pear shaped Tracy Fellows, Microsoft Australia’s managing director, said on Twitter that she felt the stunt was “not acceptable PERIOD!” and “no one will be confused that this is JUST WRONG!”.
Within minutes of the video being posted to YouTube the comments started rolling in:
this isn’t inappropriate, it’s just gay.
The words Micro and Soft don’t apply to? my vagina? WTF?
Shibi
Daddy, when I? grow up I want be a Developer!
Enrage
Wow. So wonderfully awkward! So… wonderfully…? awkward.
escutler
Just saying, this is EPIC!?
catsaresmallcows
Wow! there? is hope for the next X-Box after all .
DEVILTAZ35
poink poink? poink poink…
mostlycognizant
“Don’t see any problems here. Hello there? offended developers, welcome to the real world where having a sense of humour is considered a good trait” another observer said.
