SAN FRANCISCO: Computer major IBM will provide a preview of its new Linux ad at a forum where thousands of customers, developers and vendors converge for the LinuxWorld event.
A medianet release says that the new IBM advertisement will air on television in early September. The ad, which was developed by Ogilvy & Mather Inc., features a young boy being observed by scientists as he is educated by icons or experts from particular fields. The boy is a metaphor for Linux; and the educators are a metaphor for the many experts who have contributed to making Linux the fastest growing server operating system in the industry and the world's most popular open source software.

The educators are a mixture of well known celebrities and actors posing as professionals from various fields. They represent a broad range of skills that help to further educate the child including a poet, a Latin scholar, a soccer player, an architect, a plumber, a musician, a pilot, a corporate officer, an astronomer, and an anthropologist. World famous boxer Mohammad Ali is also a part of the guest list.

"We know that Linux is a breakthrough technology, not only because it is based on open standards, but because it is built by a community of technologists who include some of the world''s most talented programmers," said IBM senior V-P of marketing Abby Kohnstamm. "This advertisement is intended to highlight IBM''s steadfast commitment to Linux as representing the best in industry collaboration and innovation."

The advertisement is aimed at a broad audience, both business and IT. Its intent is to highlight IBM''s support of open standards and to fuel the growing momentum behind Linux.