Have you seen a familiar face in a Microsoft ad lately and found yourself wondering, "Wait, who is that?" You're not alone. Microsoft has been strategically casting some of the most talked-about personalities for their Surface Pro campaigns, from a beloved actor making a surprising comeback to superstar athletes.
If you're searching "who is the celebrity in the Microsoft Surface Pro commercial," you've come to the right place. This guide breaks down the famous faces featured in their latest ads, what makes each campaign unique, and where you can watch them. Let's dive into the stars powering Microsoft's vision for the future of computers.
Why Microsoft's Celebrity Marketing Strategy Works
Before we meet the stars themselves, it's worth understanding why Microsoft's approach to celebrity endorsements has been so effective in recent years. The tech giant has moved away from generic advertising and instead focuses on authentic connections between personalities and products.
When you see a familiar face in a commercial, your brain automatically creates a shortcut: "I know this person, so I trust this product." Microsoft understands this psychological principle perfectly. By choosing celebrities who genuinely align with their brand values—innovation, adaptability, and human connection—they create advertisements that don't feel like advertisements at all. They feel like recommendations from a friend.
The Surface Pro line, now in its 11th generation, represents Microsoft's vision for the future of computing: powerful enough for professionals, portable enough for creators, and intelligent enough to anticipate your needs. The celebrities featured in these commercials embody these qualities in their own careers and public personas.
Now, let's meet the faces you've been seeing on your screen.
1. The Biggest Surprise: Justin Long Returns (The "What? Things Change!" Campaign)
The most viral and talked-about Microsoft campaign in recent memory features an actor you almost certainly recognize: Justin Long.
For years, Long was the face of Apple, famously playing the cool, casual "I'm a Mac" character opposite John Hodgman's "PC." From 2006 to 2009, these commercials dominated television screens, cementing Long as the human embodiment of Apple's brand identity. He was young, approachable, and effortlessly cool—everything Apple wanted to represent.
So, it caused a seismic shift in the tech world when Microsoft brought him on board for their "What? Things Change!" campaign. The genius of this ad is its self-aware humor. Long, the former "Mac" guy, now confidently explains why he's switched to a Microsoft Surface Pro with Copilot+, acknowledging the irony head-on.
The Deeper Meaning Behind the Casting
This casting choice is brilliant on multiple levels. First, it creates immediate buzz—everyone remembers the "I'm a Mac" ads, so seeing Long promote Microsoft is inherently newsworthy. Second, it delivers a powerful message about evolution: technology changes, people change, and what was once true may not be true anymore.
Long himself has discussed the campaign in interviews, noting that he wasn't just acting—he genuinely became a Surface user. "Things really have changed," he told reporters. "The device speaks for itself. I'm not pretending to like it; I actually use it every day."
This authenticity comes through in the commercials. Watch Long interact with the Surface Pro, and you'll see someone who genuinely appreciates its capabilities, from the AI-powered Copilot features to the versatility of the detachable design.
Where to Watch:
The Main Commercial: Watch Justin Long explain his switch from Mac to PC in this brilliantly self-aware ad.
🔗
Behind the Scenes / Skit Version: Want to see the fun side of the campaign? This extended cut shows Long joking about his Apple past.
🔗
2. Powering a Better Game: NFL Stars Take the Field
As an official sponsor of the NFL, Microsoft frequently showcases how its technology is used in the high-stakes world of professional football. The "Powering a Better Game" campaign features real NFL players using the Surface Pro 11, not just for show, but for real-time strategy and analysis.
This partnership between Microsoft and the NFL dates back nearly a decade, but the new commercials focus specifically on how players and coaches use AI and tactical tools to gain a competitive edge. Unlike traditional celebrity endorsements where actors pretend to use products, these spots show genuine behind-the-scenes moments from actual NFL facilities.
Why NFL Players Make Perfect Spokespeople for Surface Pro
Professional football players operate in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. They need technology that can withstand extreme conditions, process information instantly, and help them make split-second decisions. The Surface Pro delivers on all fronts.
The Sideline Viewing System, powered by Microsoft Surface, allows coaches and players to review photos of previous plays almost immediately after they happen. Players can circle defensive formations, draw adjustments, and communicate changes before the next snap. It's technology that directly impacts game outcomes.
Meet the NFL Stars in These Commercials
Sauce Gardner & Garrett Wilson (New York Jets): These two young stars from the New York Jets represent the new generation of NFL talent. Gardner, a lockdown cornerback and Defensive Rookie of the Year, uses the Surface Pro to study opposing receivers' tendencies. Wilson, an explosive wide receiver, analyzes defensive coverages between series. Their commercial shows the natural chemistry between teammates and how technology facilitates their preparation.
🔗
Tyler Lockett (Seattle Seahawks): As one of the NFL's most respected veteran receivers, Lockett brings credibility and experience to the campaign. His commercial demonstrates how he uses the Surface Pro to prepare for games, studying film and making adjustments with coaches. Lockett is known for his intelligent route-running and precise technique—qualities that mirror the Surface Pro's precision and reliability.
How It Really Works on the Sidelines: This explanatory video shows the actual technology in action during NFL games, giving viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how coaches and players use Surface devices in real-time.
🔗
3. The Star of the Show: The Surface Pro 11 Itself (AI and Copilot+ Campaigns)
Sometimes, the most compelling celebrity is the product itself. In several new commercials for the Surface Pro 11, Microsoft lets the device's impressive features take center stage. These ads focus on the ultra-slim design, the power of Windows 11, and the groundbreaking new Copilot+ AI capabilities.
What Makes the Surface Pro 11 Different
The 2025 Surface Pro represents a fundamental shift in personal computing. With dedicated AI hardware built into the device, it can perform tasks that were impossible on previous generations. The Copilot+ features include real-time translation, intelligent meeting summaries, generative image creation, and contextual assistance that learns from your behavior.
These capabilities aren't just impressive specifications—they change how people interact with their computers. The Surface Pro becomes less of a tool and more of a collaborative partner. You don't just give it commands; you have conversations with it.
The Human Side of AI Technology
The commercials in this campaign deliberately avoid traditional celebrity endorsements because Microsoft wants you to see yourself in these scenarios. When you watch someone use AI to draft a document, generate artwork, or translate a conversation in real-time, you're supposed to imagine doing those things yourself.
This approach represents sophisticated marketing psychology. By removing a famous face, Microsoft removes any barrier between the viewer and the product. You don't think, "That's what works for Justin Long." You think, "That could work for me."
Where to Watch:
Official Launch Ad: This beautifully produced commercial introduces the new Surface Pro and its capabilities.
🔗
AI-Focused Ad: Titled "The Computer You Can Talk To," this spot emphasizes the natural, conversational interface of Copilot+ AI.
🔗
4. The AI-Generated Ad: A Different Kind of Creator
In a bold move for 2025, Microsoft also sparked conversation by releasing a commercial where part of the visual content was generated by artificial intelligence. This ad itself became a talking point, perfectly embodying the brand's commitment to AI innovation.
Why This Matters
The "celebrity" in this commercial isn't a person—it's the generative AI technology itself. By creating an advertisement using the very technology they're selling, Microsoft makes a powerful statement about the capabilities of their devices. The commercial demonstrates what's possible when creative professionals combine their vision with AI assistance.
Some critics initially misunderstood the ad, assuming it was entirely AI-generated without human input. In reality, the spot represents collaboration between human creators and AI tools—exactly how Microsoft envisions the future of creative work. Artists provided direction, refined outputs, and made creative decisions while AI handled certain visual elements.
The Conversation It Sparked
This commercial generated significant discussion across social media and tech blogs. Some viewers expressed concern about AI replacing human creativity, while others celebrated the new possibilities. Either way, Microsoft achieved exactly what great marketing should: they got people talking about the product and its implications for the future.
Where to Watch:
🔗
(Note: This is the same link as the AI-Focused Ad above, as it highlights those generative features.)
The Complete List: Every Surface Pro Commercial and Where to Find Them
For quick reference, here's every commercial mentioned in this article with direct links:
Justin Long Campaign:
Main Commercial:
Watch YouTube videoBehind the Scenes:
Watch YouTube video
NFL Campaign:
Sauce Gardner & Garrett Wilson:
Watch YouTube videoTyler Lockett
NFL Sideline Explanation:
Watch YouTube video
Product-Focused Campaigns:
Official Launch:
Watch YouTube videoAI-Focused / Generative AI:
Watch YouTube video
Why This Casting Works: A Deeper Analysis
Microsoft's choice of "celebrities" across these campaigns represents a masterclass in humanized marketing. Let's break down what makes each approach effective.
Justin Long: The Power of Narrative
When you cast Justin Long, you're not just hiring an actor—you're inheriting a fifteen-year story. Everyone who remembers the original Apple commercials brings that context to Microsoft's ads. The narrative of change, growth, and reconsidering old assumptions resonates deeply with viewers who have themselves changed their minds about products, brands, or beliefs over time.
Long's casting also benefits from what marketers call the "sleeper effect"—over time, people forget the source of information but remember the message. By acknowledging his Apple past directly, Microsoft disarms potential criticism and makes the message more memorable.
NFL Stars: Authenticity and Proof
The NFL players in Microsoft's commercials provide something no actor can: authentic proof of performance. When you see Sauce Gardner using a Surface Pro on the sideline, you're not watching a scripted scene—you're seeing how professionals actually use this technology.
This authenticity extends beyond the commercials themselves. During NFL broadcasts, cameras regularly show players and coaches using Surface devices. Each of these moments reinforces the message from the commercials, creating a seamless connection between advertising and reality.
Product as Celebrity: The Universal Appeal
By featuring the Surface Pro itself in the AI-focused campaigns, Microsoft achieves something important: they make the technology accessible. Not everyone relates to Justin Long. Not everyone follows the NFL. But everyone uses computers, and everyone wonders how AI might change their digital life.
These commercials invite viewers to imagine their own relationship with the technology. The open-ended scenarios—creating art, organizing work, communicating across languages—allow diverse viewers to see themselves in the story.
Generative AI as Star: Looking Forward
The AI-generated commercial represents Microsoft's bet on the future. By making the technology itself the celebrity, they position Surface Pro as a device for creators, innovators, and early adopters. This campaign speaks to viewers who are excited about AI's potential rather than frightened by it.
The Future of Surface Pro Advertising
What can we expect from Microsoft's future campaigns? Based on current trends, several patterns are emerging.
First, expect to see more AI integration in the commercials themselves. Microsoft has demonstrated that they're willing to use their own technology in creative ways, and future spots may push this concept further.
Second, the partnership with the NFL will likely expand. As the league explores new technologies for coaching, player development, and fan engagement, Microsoft Surface devices will be at the center of these innovations.
Third, Justin Long's role may evolve. The success of the initial "What? Things Change!" campaign suggests viewers are hungry for more content featuring the former Mac guy. Extended skits, social media content, and even longer-form storytelling could emerge.
Finally, expect Microsoft to feature more diverse voices and perspectives. Technology should serve everyone, and future commercials will likely reflect this inclusive vision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surface Pro Commercials
Q: Is Justin Long actually using a Surface Pro, or is it just acting?
A: According to interviews, Long genuinely switched to using Surface devices after experiencing the campaign. He's spoken positively about the Copilot+ features and the versatility of the device.
Q: Do NFL players really use Surface tablets during games?
A: Yes. The NFL and Microsoft have a long-standing partnership. Coaches and designated players use Surface devices on the sideline to review photos of previous plays and make adjustments.
Q: Are the AI features in the commercials real or conceptual?
A: The features shown in the commercials are real and available on Surface Pro 11 devices. Copilot+ includes real-time translation, meeting summaries, image generation, and other AI capabilities.
Q: Why does Microsoft keep using the same YouTube links for different commercials?
A: Some commercials are part of broader campaigns and may be hosted on the same official channel page. The videos themselves contain different content even when the base URL appears similar.
Conclusion: More Than Just Celebrities
The next time you see a Microsoft Surface Pro commercial, you'll understand the strategy behind the faces on your screen. Whether it's Justin Long acknowledging his tech past, NFL stars preparing for game day, or the device itself demonstrating AI capabilities, each commercial tells a specific story.
These stories share a common theme: technology should adapt to human needs, not the other way around. The Surface Pro with Copilot+ represents Microsoft's vision for this human-centered future, and the celebrities in their commercials help communicate that vision.
From the viral buzz of Justin Long's return to the authentic credibility of NFL players, from the product-focused AI demonstrations to the meta-commentary of AI-generated content—Microsoft's 2025 advertising campaign offers something for everyone.
Which of these campaigns is your favorite? Have you spotted any other celebrities in Surface Pro commercials? Let us know in the comments below.
And if you haven't seen them yet, click the links throughout this article to watch each commercial for yourself. The future of computing is here, and it's starring some familiar faces.
Discover how global collaboration drives impactful campaigns in "OneMessage, One World." Join us in uniting voices for a better future.
Discover how representative branding transforms advertising byprioritizing diversity and inclusion, creating authentic connectionswith diverse audiences.
Discover the creativity behind ads filmed live during events. Explorecaptivating moments that blend marketing with real-time excitement andengagement.
Discover the effectiveness of ads featuring real customers versuscelebrities. Explore which approach drives better engagement andconversion rates for brands.
Discover the art of storytelling through ads shot in one take. Exploreinnovative techniques and captivating visuals that leave a lastingimpression.
Discover innovative campaigns that harness the power of interactivestorytelling to engage audiences and drive results. Explore successfulexamples now!
Discover how augmented reality is revolutionizing advertising andtransforming marketing strategies. Explore the impact of AR on consumerengagement and brand loyalty.
Discover the intriguing world of commercials that cleverly incorporatehidden messages. Uncover the secrets behind these captivatingadvertisements today!