advertisement
Latest
Reading "The Divine Comedy" ... or playing PSP?
This is certainly one of the most interesting marketing campaigns we've seen in some time. Sony's Italian division has been distributing fake hands that appear to be holding a copy of The Divine Comedy. However, when one flips the fake hands around, one can see instructions on how to play a PSP in class, while looking like a diligent student. We doubt the ploy will work too well ... but it's great to see Sony come up with an ingenious way of promoting PSP play amongst the younger crowd.
Burnout Dominator advertisement causes controversy
Are people becoming increasingly fearful of the media? It appears so, as an advertisement for Burnout Dominator was deemed too "violent" for the common public to view. In EA's ad for its PS2/PSP racer, an image of a burning car can be seen, with a tag line: "Inner peace through outer violence."The Advertising Standards Authority commented that "we considered that the images of a car that seemed to have crashed at high speed and a burning tyre, together with a reference to violence, could be seen to condone a violent lifestyle, anti-social behaviour or dangerous driving. We concluded that the ad was irresponsible."Excuse me? There are far more grotesque and irresponsible advertisements in the media -- why focus on this one? While we understand the effects of advertising are intended to be influential, we highly doubt people will start driving like a Burnout maniac in real life due to this image.[Via Next-Gen]
Gratis RFID umbrellas track movements, excite marketers
Dutch Umbrella -- a startup focusing its efforts in and around the city of brotherly love -- is looking to take the idea of courtesy umbrella rentals to a new level by incorporating RFID tags and marketers. Currently, the firm has landed eight partners that will toss logos on the stark white umbrellas and utilize the tantalizing tracking information that gets recorded each time a rainy day encourages patrons to grab some cover. Merchants are required to pony up $100 per month in order to receive the marketing intelligence, and can then use it to determine where umbrella carriers go once the downpour begins in order to better position future ads. Unfortunately, we tend to hear that It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but there's probably not much truth to that.[Via DailyWireless]
Rakuten exploits cameraphone craze for advertising purposes
Although this certainly won't go down as the first attempt to integrate cellphones into discrete marketing, Japan's largest online shopping mall operator is apparently taking advantage of the country's oh-so-superior handsets and offering up tantalizing "promotional videos" for consumers who snap pictures of ads. Rakuten is reportedly set to hand out thousands of pilot issues of a magazine, Zero90, in hopes that mobile-wielding readers will snap photos of certain articles in exchange for a free commercial intellectually stimulating media clip. While this sounds an awful lot like QR codes, the actual technology used in the pages isn't mentioned, but we do know that Japan-based Clementec is behind it -- and you thought print media had too many plugs as is.[Via Physorg]
PS3 ad deemed too violent, pulled
Another of Sony's "it was a good idea on paper" advertising campaigns has recently been pulled for being "too violent for public consumption". The ad for PlayStation 3 depicts a man with a black eye, stitches, and stab wounds beneath the words "STOCKS ARE LIMITED. THINGS COULD GET UGLY". A complaint lodged to the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa said the ad was "irresponsible and offensive as it encourages crime and violence". The ad was withdrawn, and Sony's marketing department will be sleeping on the couch tonight.
All new, all live: Wii ads in the UK
Movie-goers in the UK are going to be treated to something special while they're waiting for the feature to start: live Wii ads. Pairs of actors, portraying a mother and son combination, will show up in Carlton Screen Advertising and Picturehouse cinemas to play Wii Sports on the big screen to show off "just how exciting and easy it is to play", explained Dean McKain of Comment UK, the agency working with Nintendo on the ads. Sounds like a fantastic idea for an ad to us -- we just wish someone would do it in the US as well! If Nintendo wants to reach everyone, this is exactly the kind of thing they need to go -- get out there and show the Wii off to the regular, non-gaming masses.
Nissan's Dualis mech caught on video
How do you sell a crossover SUV in Japan? Apparently you build a mammoth mech with wheels on his heels and let it have free reign in the city. Nissan is looking to hype up its Dualis vehicle over in Ginza by making appearnaces alongside the ride as well as blazing through parking garages and fuel stations. The black and silver machine was reportedly created by Shoji Kawamori, and will be on display at various locales in Japan from now until July 1st. Of course, this is marketing we're talking about, and this fellow can seriously fly on these "hidden camera captures," so feel free to click on through to see a few questionable videos of this 3.5-meter tall monster (supposedly) wheeling about.[Via PinkTentacle]
When artists don't pay attention: Rabbids meet Sam & Max
The boys at GayGamer.net were sifting through their Ubidays press materials and, between deciding whether Double Agent Sam Fisher looked hotter than Conviction Fisher, noticed a very peculiar little thing with the Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 ad. Turns out that it looks very, very, similar to the Sam & Max poster from late last year.Boy of Tomorrow writes, "I'm not the only one seeing a distinct similarity between these two images, am I? Don't get me wrong, Rayman: Raving Rabbids is a fantastic title, but maybe someone should've done a little research on behalf of Ubisoft before they released the image on the right. It's not like they don't have any contact with the Sam & Max games, y'know, Telltale Games actually develops the C.S.I. titles for them."As the French might say, "Le oops!" Granted, the Sam & Max ad is clearly based on the iconic War of the Worlds image of the alien hand on the Earth, but bunny ears popping out of the planet is definitely Sam & Max. We're just imagining how this one got through. It's a fantastic image for Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, it's just too bad it was done six months ago by another game.Oh well, check out the Transformers inspired Raving Rabbids 2 trailer after the break.
DirecTV whines over HD survey results, sues Comcast for false advertising
You're probably familiar with the old adage that getting sued just isn't satisfying enough until you take someone else to court over the exact thing that you're being accused of, but even if you're not, DirecTV's here to refresh your memory. The satellite TV provider has apparently scrunched up its nose at a recent promotional advertising campaign in which Comcast claims that two-thirds of satellite customers felt "Comcast delivered a better HD image" when compared to DirecTV and Dish Network alternatives. Not believing that we oh-so-capable humans might be able to actually perceive the difference when an HD feed is somewhat crippled, DirecTV decided that the results mustn't be correct, and suggested that the "survey upon which Comcast relies does not provide or sufficiently substantiate the propositions for which Comcast cites the survey," and concludes by boldly proclaiming that all of the claims "are literally false." Of course, Comcast is standing strong behind its results for the time being, and while either party could most certainly have a case against the other, why are we using cash for HD channel expansion to pay legal teams?[Via TGDaily]
Boo Hoo For You: Symbian mocks Western smartphones
It's no secret that cellphone manufacturers and carriers alike are getting quite crafty with their marketing approaches, but Symbian went straight for the low-blow with its Boo-Hoo campaign. Frankly, the site (and more specifically, the Boo-Hoo For You video) slams the Western smartphone for not being as "technically capable" as the Symbian phones overseas, but we're not quite sure we're following all the slighting. Aside from being a bit weirded out by a talking Pac-man lookalike and a hump-backed eraser, we're not so sure that Big Brother being right there on your cellphone at all times is actually a perk. Additionally, e-wallets and cellphone-based ticketing aren't exactly Symbian exclusives, and having the nerve to actually flaunt an "aroma phone" just about nixes any and all credibility this wacky cartoon had left. Nevertheless, we're sure this here promo was intended less for informative purposes and more for water-cooler jabbing, so click on through to see what the fuss is all about. [Warning: Psychedelic video could induce epilepsy][Via S60, thanks Stefan C.]
TiVo takes the cake at San Francisco wedding
Although we can't be certain if Andy and Tina Szeto attended a Wii marriage counseling session before tying the knot, the television crazed couple did invite a healthy helping of TiVo to join in their matrimonial celebration. Granted, they did stop short of rocking interactive wedding attire, but the two lovebirds did indeed have a pair of his and her TiVo cakes proudly perched beside the more traditional rendition, and to show its appreciation, TiVo actually donated a plethora of smiling plush dolls as party favors. Not to be sold short, the company also gave each member in attendance their own felt TiVo ears for maximum geekness all around, and created quite the marketing scene in the process. Hey, we've definitely seen worse cakes at a shindig before, so click on through for more pictures of the obsessive ceremony.
All the "Dude, Get Your Own" ads for download
You've seen one ... now see them all! All seven of the "Dude, Get Your Own" ads are now available for download. They all take place in an airplane with an annoying passenger from hell. Check them out:Air Hair - Watch | Download for PSPBelt Check - Watch | Download for PSPCheat Code - WatchDeparture - Watch | Download for PSPHotel Homies - Watch | Download for PSPMovie Killer - Watch | Download for PSPPotty Humor - Watch | Download for PSP
Front Design's Changing Cupboard displays pixelated art
While we've seen hordes of clever marketing gimmicks in the past, a few involving those flipping signs that rotate through various spots, Front Design is taking the billboard approach to a cupboard in an attempt to showcase a new form of art. The aptly-dubbed Changing Cupboard rocks a bevy of turnable panels on an everyday piece of furniture, but due to special effects that aren't entirely disclosed, it can flip squares over to constantly evolve into a new piece of design. Of course, the pixel morphing unit makes a whole lot more sense when you see it motion, so go on, click through for a peek of your own.[Via CubeMe]
Solo's bus stop ad enables life-size chatting with strangers
Hot on the heels of Nokia's own bus stop gimmick comes none other than Solo, which has erected a clever display on a number of waiting areas to allow perfect strangers to yap it up on giant mobiles. The interactive billboards each sport a larger-than-usual flip phone, which allows curious onlookers to mash an enlarged walkie talkie button and get on the horn with a faraway stranger. The active two-way radio setup was reportedly installed in transit shelters in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary, and the system supposedly connects users in the different cities to one another when a conversation is initiated. Unfortunately, Engadget HQ doesn't happen to reside in the land of the Canucks, so for our brethren in the north, why not stop on by and give a shout to a fellow Canadian, eh?[Via Core77]
Harvest Moon Crossing
Harvest Moon DS saw its US release over half a year ago, but the colorful farming sim didn't cross the Atlantic until earlier this month. A TV commercial advertising the game has been airing in the UK, and we were surprise to see how similar its presentation is to Nintendo's commercials for Animal Crossing: Wild World in Japan and Europe.AC:WW was an indisputable success sales-wise in every territory, so we can see why Nintendo would want to mimic its marketing push with Harvest Moon DS. Compare the video clips yourself after the post break to see what we mean.
Apple TV Commercial spotted in the wild
A big thank you to everyone who has written in, tipping us off about this new Apple TV commercial that just aired today on US television. "It's on your computer. It's on your iPod. Now, it's on your TV." I'm not positive which movie they're using--is it "School of Rock"? SoR is on my to-watch list but I've never gotten around to seeing it yet. As for the commercial itself, it's very on-message. It speaks directly to its core constituency. AppleTV is for the iTunes/iPod audience. It expands the way they use the media they already own. And hopefully it will serve the better-quality media we're expecting an announcement for at NAB 2007.
Army: Gamers can "take this to the next level" with military service
The goal of the America's Army game has always been to make military service seem more palatable to a generation of gamers. Now, the army is making that goal more explicit with a TV commercial pushing military service as "the next level" of military games.The ad starts with a couple of gamers playing a Rainbow Six-alike game for a few seconds before the virtual soldier they're controlling taps on the glass, startling them out of their revelry. "You look like you're really into this," he quips. "You ready for a real challenge?" An announcer comes in to encourage viewers to "find out what you're really made of, and how far you can go" over a vignette of happy, action-packed military images. Viewers are encouraged to call in and get a copy of America's Army and a "special interactive DVD," whatever that is. Our military friend comes back at the end, asking the gamers and the viewer if they're ready to "take it to the next level."Well, are you? Personally, we're plenty happy using games to get the vicarious thrill of military service without the high risk of death and injury. See if you feel differently after watching the video below.
Microsoft: The WOW starts... with a MacBook?
Microsoft's "The WOW Starts Now!" Vista promotion campaign has taken just about every computer and technology venue by storm. Everyone from the likes of Best Buy to Bob's Computers has at least some kind of hanging banner, floor signage or postcard handouts featuring the mind-numbing array of Vista flavors, but we're curious as to who actually designed all this promo material. Filippo Corti at the Mac Blog (crummy Google translation to English here) snapped this pic which features what must be a MacBook alongside four of the major versions of Vista. Considering that Vista's EULA forbids virtualizing any versions besides Business and Ultimate, this either amounts to a grossly mis-leading advertisement or a fox sly, pro-Apple designer among sheep.[Update: Right on cue, some debate as to whether this is actually a MacBook or even a piece of Apple hardware at all has ensued. Some eagle-eyed readers have pointed out that the side ports actually say iBook, and we tend to agree. Still, this looks like a piece of iconic Apple hardware, and Microsoft could have made a more distinctive choice.]
iPhone ad to appear during today's Oscars ceremony?
Macworld UK has apparently heard it through the grape vine (or apple tree?) that Apple has secured some ad time for the iPhone during tonight's 79th annual Academy Awards ceremony. The proceedings kick off at 8 pm EST on ABC, and the ad was apparently "made for the Oscars," though no more details are available just yet.I honestly wasn't planning on watching the Oscars, but now I'm hoping that Macworld hasn't gone the way of pageview-baiting because I just fired up the microwave for a jumbo popcorn session. Oh the things we do in the name of TUAW.Update: The commercial has aired, see here for the recap and here for the video.
Microsoft, MSN game devs to share in-game ad revenue
Developers for titles hosted by MSN Games can now expect to have an extra outlet of income, care of Microsoft. The House of Gates is promising to share portion of the revenue earned from in-game advertisement generated by a title to the respective game maker. The model is divided between two tiers: Level I: developer will be given ten percent of the ad revenue, no obligations necessary Level II: developer will earn 20 percent of the revenue, but their game must be submitted to the ESRB for a rating. The title must also provide a "deluxe experience" lasting at least 10 hours. Of course, if a developer is willing to place advertisements within its title, then there's no reason to avoid an ESRB rating and not earn the extra ten percent -- we imagine "deluxe experience" is a subjective term, as we could theoretically make Text Twist and ten hour game.There's an added bonus for Microsoft concerning this business model, in that the more ESRB-rated games it has, the easier it will be for Windows Vista to properly filter content in tune to the Parental Control settings. The only outlet currently mentioned is MSN Games, but how long until this business permeates through Xbox Live Marketplace?
