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Gigabyte's M1305 ad campaign says docking a laptop is like picking your nose
External graphics cards may well be a rarity these days, but we're not sure if this simple fact justifies the launch of a grotesque and debatably heinous ad campaign. As you can so clearly see above, Gigabyte disagrees. In order to promote its Taiwanese M1305 CULV laptop cum external graphics card dock (housing an NVIDIA GeForce GT220 desktop VGA card), it released posters featuring a disoriented person poking his / her nose, each of which were presumably in the process of "doing some soul searching." Curious as to what these ads actually say? "How good is an expansion dock with integrated graphics card? Plug in a Gigabyte laptop and you'll find out!" Thanks, but no thanks Gigabyte -- we're currently preoccupied with flushing our memories of this visual disturbance you've just forced upon us. Psst... two more posters after the break for extra raunchiness! [Thanks, TheLostSwede]
Verizon asks 'if the iDoesn't, what does?'
The "there's a map for that" ad was a pretty aggressive way to broadside AT&T and the iPhone, but it looks like Verizon's just getting warmed up. We're hearing that the carrier will be kicking off a major new campaign this evening during the Yankees-Angels game that'll feature "a very different look and a whole new attitude," calling out the "iDevice" (their words, not ours) for all the things it can't do. That's a bold offensive for a carrier that historically has lacked breadth and depth in its smartphone lineup, but with the big new Android releases coming down the pike, this might be perfect timing -- and a strong implication that we can seriously put those endless Verizon iPhone rumors to bed for a little while.
Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video)
Ouch. If you've been waiting for another flare up in the old carrier wars, here you have it. Turning Apple's "there's an app for that" slogan on its ear, Verizon has introduced a campaign touting its network coverage. The ads -- which highlight the company's new tongue-in-cheek "there's a map for that" catchphrase against tuneful, chirpy music -- also boast that Verizon's 3G blanket is a whopping five times the size of AT&T's. Does this do anything to dispel the idea that Verizon and Apple may be getting together for that phantom tablet? Who knows, but it's fun to watch the fireworks. Check out the full commercial after the break. [Via All Things Digital]
PS3 marketing shifts focus to 'total entertainment solution'
As Sony Computer Entertainment America relaunches the PlayStation 3 with its PS3 Slim model, its marketing campaign has deemed the console as a "total entertainment solution," rather than a video game console. Its fall and holiday ad campaign touts the console as "the greatest gaming, Blu-ray playing, movie downloading system around." Three bullet points no other console on the market can match. Speaking with the LA Times, SCEA's vice president of marketing Peter Dille said the move wasn't to "walk away" from the console's gaming roots, but to reposition the system in hopes to "really own" home entertainment. According to Dille, SCEA's current campaign is the largest and costliest in the console's history and -- although the company has attempted to position the console as a "jack of all trades" entertainment device in the past -- Sony feels Americans care more about non-gaming capabilities now than ever before.[Via Edge]
Apple bites back at Laptop Hunter ads, 'agrees' with Microsoft that Macs are cool
Looks like Apple finally has something to say to Lauren, Giampaulo, Lisa, Jackson, and any future laptop hunters showcased in Microsoft's new commercial series. In a statement to Macworld, spokesperson Bill Evans goes through the usual list of touted Mac features -- security, stability, design -- before quipping, "a PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want." Ouch. He continues by "agreeing" with Microsoft that, yes, everyone does think its computers are cool. We don't expect Redmond's ready to end the ad campaign anytime, and as enjoyable as this statement is, our only hope is that the gang at Cupertino ups the ante and retaliates tit-for-tat by sending Hodgman on an filmed adventure through Best Buy.
Poll: Is Microsoft's new ad working?
By now you've probably watched the Bill Gates / Jerry Seinfeld Microsoft ad a dozen or so times (if not, get to it). If you're like us, you've got a healthy conversation happening about what the new campaign means, and whether or not you actually like the thing. According to a leaked internal email from Redmond's senior vice president Bill Veghte, this first installment in what will be a series of commercials is meant to function as an "Icebreaker to reintroduce Microsoft to viewers in a consumer context." It seems that the company is following the path they've stamped out with their previous media burst, the Mojave Experiment, which appears to be less concerned with changing the product (Windows), and more concerned with changing consumers' perception of the product. In Veghte's words, "Telling our story means making significant investments to improve the way consumers experience Windows." So here's our question to you: is Microsoft on the right track here? Let us know in the poll below! (You can also read the full text of the email after the break) %Poll-19148%
AT&T dropping "fewest dropped calls" claim
Maybe it stems from Sprint's bellyaching and subsequent legal action, maybe it stems from the fact that the claim was of questionable accuracy to begin with -- but either way, AT&T is no longer spouting off that it has fewer dropped calls than any other national carrier. It's allegedly part of a larger ad shift to the more nebulous (and less legally binding) "more bars in more places" campaign, but really, we suspect there was just a little too much heat coming from various competitors, consumer advocacy groups, and individual subscribers to continue bothering to attempt to back up the statement. So, readers: if it's not AT&T with the fewest dropped calls, who is it? Thoughts?[Via Wired]
'This is Living' toilet girl helps flush PAL PS3 sales
Previously we said that we've completely given up trying to explain the European PS3 ads and marketing campaign. Somehow the "This is Living" campaign, with its cup-stacking, bike tricks and quirky characters was supposed to move PS3 unit in Europe. Given the tepid response in Europe and Australia -- we're going to go with it didn't work. Spinning things even further into general awkwardness was Microsoft unleashing a PR blitz on European gaming sites. Can you think of a better way to show those Euro game journalists the cost difference between the PS3 and Xbox 360 than by sending the monetary difference in beer? Sorry to say, but it's time for Sony to find a new advertising agency in Europe, because what the girl does at the end of the commerical above is exactly what that company did with Sony's money.Find some more ads that were supposed to appeal to Europeans after the break. Be warned, they are NSFS (not safe for sales).
