Windows Phone 8 looks like it’s good enough to take on iPhone 5 & Android Phones running Jelly Bean but it means nothing if Microsoft is not able to get it into people’s hands. In order to do that, they need to market, market, market WP8 phones with all their money! Here’s my opinion on how they can approach the market.

MS should do what Apple always does. Emphasize on the strong benefits of the OS. This kind of marketing CAN change people’s perspective. The important thing is not to belittle the competitors, just say we’re better. Emphasize on the BENEFITS (user scenario) as much as possible.

As an example. The #smokebywindowsphone strategy has work to a certain extend but MS should have made a big TV campaign that say that WP7 is single-core, so what? We’re still faster than a Quad-core smartphone (cue Nokia Lumia 800 overshadowing Samsung Galaxy S3 in capturing a FUN or embarrassing moment, then Tag the victim & upload it to Facebook). All done in 10 seconds before the victim even have a chance to stop you.

Then do another Ad that say WP8 has 100,000 apps while others have more than 600,000. So what? Our apps are actually useful & beautiful in bold “Windows 8” style that’s easy on your eyes, (cue HTC 8X’s camera app + CNN + Weave, in app & on Live Tiles, etc. then show Motorola RAZR HD succumb to a virus.)

And most importantly, something like WP7/8 connects you to your most important (anything), then show HTC 8S showing Me Hub, People Hub, Group updates, Picture Hub, Notification & What’s New filtered according to Facebook, Twitter or All. Ends with a tagline with the effect that WP8 helps you run your life, not be overrun by it. Then show Apple rows & columns of icons scrolling aimlessly.

These Ads should be designed to invoke desire & emotion. Make it look fun & easy. Show off the integration & speed, show people are able to get BACK to their important, their lives, their friends & family or their work made easier. No talking in these ad please! The “Really” campaign didn’t work because people don’t get it.

Getting celebrities to show off these phones is another great way to promote the platform. Jessica Alba was recently spotted with a Cyan Nokia Lumia 900. Why not get her to spearhead a North American or even Worldwide campaign? Do it with blitz & glamour like how they sell fashion or cars. It’s about the concept & association, not the product. You want WP8 to look cool when engaging Star power.

Nokia Lumia ads circa 2011-2012 are going in the right direction with everyday people using their phones for important parts of their everyday lives but it’s time to actually show how these features will benefit the average person, which will reduce the comparison with Android & iOS. Currently, most people still don’t “get” Live Tiles & Hubs.

Do mini-ads that emphasis on a particular hub like how Apple like to showcase their improvements in lovely ads even if it’s so minor, like a fifth row on their screen due to the longer form factor. Not a big deal you say? But it means more screen to show stuff & being able to watch movies in letterbox format.

For example, the Me Hub, introduce the individual function like FB Check-in, a central Notification for ALL communications associated with Me, the What’s New page showing what I’ve post on all the different social medias.

Or the People Hub that show all the things you could do with other People’s posts on all the different social medias including traditional calling/VoIP & SMS/IM + a integrated History page that shows you how you’ve interacted with this person all in 1 page.

There’s also the oft-overlooked Picture Hub & for businessmen & students, the Office Hub.

As for OEM specific stuff, things like the OIS camera on the Lumia 920, they should totally reshoot that girl on the bicycle with a Lumia 920 to shut all the critics up & put boldly in the Ad “Shot with Lumia 920” like those Canon DSLR ads. Nevermind if they have to NG 200 times… Then purposely zoom in when they pass by a mirror to show the guy holding the Lumia 920… sorta like giving the middle finger to all doubters. But I recommend a change of venue to one a couple will actually go to for a date, like a park or the beach. Not some dock…

The NFC? Samsung ad showing the SGS3 with the guy proposing to a girl thru glass using NFC to transfer his video proposal. Fantastic idea! MS or Nokia should totally ripoff this idea! Maybe get Samsung to do that with their ATIV S as well but maybe at a fancy restaurant to avoid confusion with the Galaxy S3. After the girl saw the vid, get the guy to flash the ring & the restaurant comes alive with confetti or something. Some good old fashion feel good vibe for the shy guys among us.

Wireless charging? Show a guy playing Angry Bird or a sports game at an Airport lounge with wireless charging built into the table until he misses his flight because his battery never dies. Make it funny, make him grow a beard & long hair with the clock racing in the back… When he finally finishes the game or when someone demolishes the lounge, he’s now in a space-port with spaceships rocketing by…

Make sure these ads are targetted at the correct audience in the correct media. This part, MS got it but they need to do more in each demography they’re targetting.

I could go on & on but end of the day, the ads that people remember are those that emote them & buyers buy based on emotion (with the saleperson being the final push). Or for the Japanese market, something so absurd, people will it remember as well.

I’m getting a sense that people are starting to notice WP, now we just need to swing them to our side of the pendulum.

Lastly, MS & their distribution channels must train the sales-force well enough so they can genuinely excited by the possibilities with WP8. And I’m talking worldwide here.

After Oct 26 2012, if there’re new integration of Windows 8, Windows RT & Xbox 360 with WP8, they should totally emphasize on that integration as well come Oct 29 2012 WP8 launch.