Microsoft has some brand new interactive technology called Silverlight. The good news is that they are developing a Mac plugin, and since it’s Microsoft, all those TV station and other promotional web sites that have various semi-functioning Windows Media or AVI video clips up might finally have a cross platform solution. Heck, I can’t watch half the embedded WMV files on my Windows machine. Of course a popular technology solution to these problems already exists, and it’s called Flash. So how do you generate buzz for a competitor? With trendy skateboarding visuals. Ahh, but what sinister motivation lies behind the innocent act of skateboarding? Find out the answer to that question as well as where you might be able to win a Microsoft Silverlight skateboard after the jump.

What, no Don’t shred home without it? Err, yeah. Here’s an American Express commercial featuring Shaun White, who needs his credit card to allow him to fly from California to Utah, Canada, Japan and Norway at the drop of a hat. I thought that was what his sponsors were for? Apparently, American Express is trying to tap the demographic for spoiled rich teenagers. Is it just me, or is post-puberty Shaun White starting to look like Howard Stern with red hair? Oh yeah, the gimmick in this commercial is the old skateboarding used as transportation indoors – look at me, I’m radical! Extra points (and $, I’m sure) to Shaun for managing to get a Volcom shirt in the shot as well. Check out the commercial after the jump.

I was in a pub ordering a cider a couple of months ago and looked up at the TV and saw what appeared to be a Jeep commercial with Mike Vallely. The sound was turned off but I seem to remember Mike sitting in a drainage ditch (LA River scale) and a graphic that said “Mike V on skateboarding” or something like that. I haven’t seen it since, but I did find a web site called Sportskool.com that is essentially trick tips for all kinds of sports, most of them no-so-Extreme. Mike V. is the go-to guy for skateboarding, and Jeep Patriot is the sponsor. At one time this would have struck me as odd. Maybe Jeep is trying to capture the Mike V and the Rats demographic.

Seen on the streets of Portland, Oregon. Bucky Lasek I think. Hey if they’re giving money away…

The first time I went to college I lived in a dive of a house with 14 people called Ten Shitty Guys. The McDonalds monopoly game was new-ish at the time and we pooled our game pieces in the house to try and win. One day we thought we won $1000 or something like that, so we marched down to McDonalds to try and get paid. Turned out that there was another Monopoly based promotion going on somewhere else with game pieces that were almost identical. We won a prize all right, first place jackasses. Here’s a 2006 (I think) commercial for McDonalds Monopoly game promotion with a Best Buy connection, and (implied) vert skating…

The Skateboarding Robot and the stop-action animated Human Skateboard. Really. That’s enough. Stop writing about it on your blog. (Oops! Too late.) Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, there’s more after the jump, including the the Subhuman Skateboard, AKA the Britney Spears remix.

This is what I live for. This Burger King commercial from the 70’s features skaters Dan Murray and Robbie Weir. Here’s a few of the highlights: 360’s with a serving tray! The King is live action this time, no plastic mask like the current commercials feature. He rides what looks like a Duane Peters deck, as well as an early contender for the World’s Largest Skateboard. They either switch stunt doubles or reverse the shot to get frontside airs in both directions. The sound track is… so bitchin! Here’s a quote “… and burgers made just right. Afternoon delight. Out of sight!” A complete transcription and more after the jump. Now I can retire. Update: The Burger King kid speaks!

I’m sure Tony was flattered to be asked to represent the state of California in a commercial promoting tourism. There’s nothing more quintessentially California than skateboarding, right? I’m sure the joy left him as soon as he read another script asking him to talk about “pop.”

Grind Session was released for the Play Station (first one) in 2000. This is kind of cheating because it’s a commercial for a skateboarding game, but it’s notable for a couple of reasons. It’s one of the first times someone managed to get something that approached real skateboard culture on TV. Also, it’s probably the first time Black Flag was ever heard on network TV, not counting the background music in the movie Repo Man. But wait, there’s more. Is that a videogame likeness of Pig Pen skating Burnside on national TV?

This is day 11 of a commercial a day. I’m going to quit after day 14. Not for lack of commercials, I just can’t take the pressure. It’s the weekend man. I ‘ve got better things to do! Here’s a recent HP Computers commercial featuring the rapper Pharrell. He talks a bout having his own pro skateboarding team. I won’t get into that here because I’ve got a separate post planned about how much of a jackass he is when it comes to skateboarding. However, there is a bit of unintended irony in the way the skateboarders are presented that makes them look like puppets. Catch the commercial after the jump.