Sony's latest PSP promo helps sneak some extra play time
By Paul Miller 
posted Jul 2nd 2007 10:21AM
posted Jul 2nd 2007 10:21AM
[Via The Raw Feed]
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
I guess Sony forgot people usually flip pages every so often when they read books.
who sees a jump in PSP sales thanks to this?
Whether it's racist (PSP White is coming), stupid (take a running jump here), or simply the most insultingly bad attempt at viral marketing in history (all I want for xmas is a psp), Sony always succeeds in making the worst advertising in the industry. PS3 adverts included.
Um... does it come in non-Caucasian hands?
No. If you're not white, you're expected to inform your new hands that they are adopted, but you still love them like they were yours.
How's it going with the triple K dude? your uncle still feeling sick after all the remorse from his racism?
lol well, i think it's really neat!
Sony does have some pretty bad marketing/advertising. The PS3 commercials are annoying at best...and I own a PS3.
@Jared
Didn't even think of that. I guess they only expect Caucasian's to buy their product? Yikes.
That's a good point. In fairness, this is PSP Italy, and Italy is over 95% ethnic Italian, so it might not be practical to make many "hands" of other colors. But still, good insight.
The better insight is to ask why all of the materials are in English. If this was only given to Italian students (and for that matter, Dante Alighieri was Italian as well), then why is the name of the book in English, not to mention the "Cliffs notes"? Everything about this screams "stunt for media attention" rather than "actual advertising."
Awwwwwwww! The poor nintendo fan boys are hitting on the PSP again! Awwww! Jeeze grow a pair, its only an advert! Who in their right minds would mistake a pair of paper hands for your real digits?
You fan boys make me sick!
Sony did it's own foot-shooting here my friend.
-as seems to be the case of late.
I teach High School and I can tell you why none of my students would get away with this. The next time I see one of my students picking up a book to read will be the first time. Instead, school has become a battle of kids trying listen to mp3-players/txt messages versus teacher telling them to put it away. So if I look up and see some kids actually reading, I know something is amiss!
Dude, you're taking this too seriously. Its an advert.. like those car adverts with stunt drivers doing crasy things normal people would think about doing.
Do not belittle Sony's key innovation here!
They've actually developed the first book that truly DESERVES to be burned!
All the PSP needs now is some good games so the fake book can actually be used.
but don't take my word for it
Reading Rainbow reference was priceless. :)
I can go anywhere! Take a look! It's in book!
So should I keep my PSP behind my Sony Reader too?
Where can I get one of these? ^_^
butterfly in the sky
won't even catch my eye
i've got this game
it rots my brain
gaming rainbow...
What I think is funny is Sony's book choice: Dante's "The Divine Comedy." Everyone reads that, so of course it wouldn't give you away. ;)
@Not a fan boy!
I don't think any one mentioned anything about Nintendo here, and maybe they are making a genuine observation at a company lacking in common sense.
"You fan boys make me sick!" = Jeeze grow a pair, why don't you.
Yay! You're an idiot who doesn't know how to use the reply link!
Looks like you need more of that brain training ;)
It's a freaking advertisement...
I don't see you harping on the latest Geico commercials for making kids think that a gecko can talk. How about the commercial that tells people that you can form green clay into a XBox360 and games! (games based on Sony brand names mind you) Or let's not forget the latest Kia(?) commercial where it's perfectly fine to play "musical chairs" with your car and parking spots.
Nope, it's the PSP, and it's Sony, so the commercial must be the true representation of what Sony wants your kids to do. Yup. Uh-huh.
Morons, all of you...
I'll have you know that I did play musical chairs with my car. My insurance went way up, damn Kia.
Wouldn't anybody notice the PSP icons on the spine?
lol well you're very observant because I didn't :) Mebbe they assume that "fuddy-duddy" authority figures would think it's just the publisher's mark
OMG. This is marketing at it's best.
personally, i think this is hilarious.... then again, i agree with everyone that realizes how impractical it is... just very archy and jugghead -ish... it brightened my day slightly... is that a sad thing?
Haha, Reading Rainbow? Talk about an obscure reference. Nice one.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
. . I think it's clearly a subliminal message telling kids to read better books. Two thumbs up, Sony.
@ Andir3.0:
Amen...
Wow that is genius and numerous. Hurray for Sony i just love there advertising and marketing campanes.
I'll take one please :D
I think it's actually quite clever -- they're playing to a relatively innocent version of the "bad kids". It's like hiding comics or porn behind a Time magazine... time honored tradition, brought up to date for the new generation.
Right?
Great advertising, $ony!
[Only school-kid-imbeciles will want that.]
please go to www.$ony.com/$$$
broken link, dammit
Sony's marketing team owns, regardless of what any of you tools have to say. This is great.
Wish they had this kinda stuff when i was in school!!
yeah cuz god forbid you actually paid attention or anything!!
lol, nice.
Clever advertising. I wonder what the three rs of sony adveritsing policy is. The iphone has already had its
I need this!