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Sony launches HD marketing blitz in Europe
Sony's no stranger to launching controversial marketing campaigns around the globe, and it looks like Europe will become the firm's next victim. As high-definition technology gains ground overseas, Sony is reportedly readying a "major Pan-European marketing campaign to demonstrate the breadth and depth of HD offerings and to educate consumers about the intricacies of HD." The advertising will be seen on television, in cinemas, in stores, and even online, meaning that you'll be hard pressed to evade the Apricot Poodle "Experiment" commercial (glimpsed on the right) unless you go Amish for a month or so. Of course, considering the recent reports of Blu-ray disparity, we bet Sony will do its part to back the BDA all the while.[Via TechDigest]
Bungie turns up Halo 3 heat: new details, campaign screenshot
With Halo 3 less than three months away, Bungie is beginning to lift the veil with a couple of big reveals this week. The first was a whole slew of post-beta screenshots and details, revealing two new multiplayer maps (remake of Zanzibar FTW), armor customization, and the brand new, super-fast Brute Chopper vehicle. The second big Bungie revelation was the second publicly-released screenshot of Halo 3's single-player campaign. Seen above, the screen leaves a great deal to speculation. The stunning mountains mean that it's probably Earth, and the mysterious smoke on the far right may very well be where the survivors crash-landed on Lost (uh oh, spoiler alert!). What's for certain, however, is that Master Chief is looking damn fine in HD. Is it September yet? Update: This is actually the second official campaign screenshot from the game. The first can be checked out here. Thanks to DWells and Bangbang for the heads-up. Read - "Way Beyond the Beta: Screenshots Galore" [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy] Read - "Halo 3 Campaign Screenshot Inside"
Nicole Kidman in Nintendo's latest marketing campaign
Although questions have certainly been circulating around Nintendo's marketing department (in America, at least), it looks like decisions are still going forward in the potentially dwindling sect. Rather than going after a president or famed talk show host, the Big N has somehow landed Nicole Kidman herself to be the next face of the company in an upcoming advertising campaign. The spots, which are set to air "sometime this week," feature Kidman testing her mental aptitude with the DS game More Brain Training, and Nintendo is hoping the superstar's "universal appeal will help to extend Nintendo's success beyond its traditional young, male audience." And all this time we've blamed the nursing homes for the Wii shortages.
Dude, Get Your Own campaign expands to television
Sony has unveiled more details on its ambitious "Dude, Get Your Own" advertising campaign for PSP. The promotion will focus on PSP's ability to play games and multimedia and should proudly showcase PSP's new, lower price. According to Sony, a television commercial will be airing now through the end of May on a variety of shows targeted specifically to teens. PSP fans will want to tune in to shows such as King of the Hill (FOX), South Park (Comedy Central), Adult Swim (Cartoon Network), the NBA Playoffs (TNT), Saturday Night Live (NBC), and WWE Smackdown (CW) to catch the new ads.Online ads can also be found on IGN.com, Gamespot.com, ESPN.com and Maxim.com. Additionally, Sony plans to send promotional materials through direct mail. Later this week, Sony will be launching a new "Dude, Get Your Own" website, which will go into further detail about PSP's capabilities. (Hopefully, they'll create a new educational video, unlike the one featured here.)This aggressive stance from Sony is certainly appreciated. There are too many myths about our handheld that must be dispelled: hopefully, this advertising campaign will make others experience the system and join the PSP Fanboy ranks.
10 years of thinking different
When Apple's Think Different television campaign first aired in September of 1997, the company was in dire straights (or, as we call it, "The Sculley Years"). To make a long and well-known story short, Steve came back, the company launched the enormously popular "Think Different" campaign with Chiat/Day, and that, true believers, was how Apple got its groove back.LowEndMac takes a very interesting look at the development of that campaign, from the initial concept to the first broadcast commercial in '97. Some interesting facts include that Chiat/Day was given just 17 days to complete the project, and that Steve himself courted some of the people whose images were used.Well done, Apple and Chiat/Day. We still love those ads.
Apple inspiring 'non-PC' PCs
Sony is apparently trying to hitch a ride on Apple's bandwagon, at least in Australia so far, by attempting to remove the 'PC' moniker from their branding. On the VAIO C C Series product page for Sony Australia, Sony is not only using a "non-pc pc" slogan, but also a bizarre Flash movie directly inspired (right down to the costumes) by Apple's Get A Mac campaign, complete with a third VAIO character. The interactivity is strange because it doesn't seem to do anything - the three characters simply turn around and offer, uh, *strange* sound effects - not even catch phrases or complete sentences. The movie itself, however, is a clear sign that Sony is trying to separate its brand from the rest of the industry in the same way Apple does. Think about it: everyone, including Apple, makes PCs (i.e. - Personal Computers), but Apple makes Macs, and now Sony makes VAIOs. If we momentarily disregard the fundamentals at play here - such as Apple having a truly unique software platform, while Sony uses Windows like the rest of the industry they're trying to banish to the uncool kid's corner - this is a serious branding move for a company like Sony to make, even if it seems, at least for now, this is only done in Sony's Australian branch.In a way, I can't blame them for trying this out. After a detrimental year of exploding batteries, selling security-trampling Windows rootkits, embarrassingly low PS3 shipments and even a digicam recall, Sony could use a fresh change of pace. Unfortunately, I don't think they offer enough to have any chance of differentiating themselves and, more importantly, overriding the culturally understood definition of 'PC' to achieve some sort of cool factor. Sure, Sony has some impressive hardware, and they make some of their own unique software packages that do iLife-type stuff. Sadly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a journalist, amateur blogger or even a Mr. Consumer who can use Sony's apps without being overtaken by soul-wrenching pain. At the end of the day, Sony still uses Windows, which means they can't wash away the negative connotations with unimaginative marketing and a wish for things to get better.[via digg]
Nintendo to launch 200 million dollar ad campaign
Nintendo has this nasty tendency to make money with their consoles, despite often being seen as the "loser" in the reputed console wars. Their stock holders are generally quite happy, especially in recent times, and believe it or not, Nintendo has a war chest of something like ten bazillion yen. Certainly a large R&D budget went into developing Wii technology, but everyone knows that the system is essentially a calculated risk. Nintendo needs to push its new brainchild, and it needs to push it hard; thus the chest springs open yet again.A recent Bloomberg article states that Nintendo will launch a year-long, $200 million ad campaign for the Wii. Further, 80% of that money will be solely devoted to marketing toward non-gamers, attempting to expand their market into the coveted (and excuse the generalization) "old people and women" demographic. That's a whole heck of a lot of money to get the word out ... be sure to do your part and invite your baby boomer neighbors for a quick session of Wii Sports. [via Joystiq]
TDMW interviews DefectiveByDesign
Remember those crazy DefectiveByDesign kids in hazmat suites trying to give customers the 411 on DRM outside Apple Stores? TDMW (The Digital Music Weblog) snagged an interview with the DbD collective on the state of DRM, what their beef really is and where they believe things are headed. The group has been snagging some major news coverage as of late, and this interview is a really interesting window into their stance on DRM and what it's doing to our culture (example: ooh, sorry - your mom isn't authorized to borrow that CD).In the interest of avoiding another bloody war over whether we should be shopping at the iTMS, however, I'll just direct your attention to TDMW's interview for your reading enjoyment.
Ubisoft loves Nintendo, RTS on the way
Remember the days when the DS was being ridiculed for its ridiculous design and doomed fate as a gimmick device? Nintendo fans worldwide desperately defended themselves with many arguments, one of the strongest being that the DS was the first non-PC platform in existence that might do the real-time strategy genre justice. Ironically, as we sit in a year full of DS successes, one can't find a single critically-acclaimed RTS title for the system. Hmmm.Ubisoft, however, is determined to change all that. While they've shown strong support of the Wii (see: launch title Red Steel), their acceptance of Nintendo's two-headed gaming wonder has been a bit slower...but they've come around. They're bringing the formerly PC-only title Settlers to the DS, chock full of awesomeness such as multiple campaigns, thirty different occupational groups, an easy-to-use stylus control scheme, and Chuck Norris. Well, okay. Maybe not that last one, but we're still excited.(Seriously, how awesome would a Chuck Norris RTS be? I'm calling Ubisoft.)
ASA rules UK PSP ads inoffensive
Remember that UK ad campaign that caused all that controversy? Well, it turns out the ASA deemed the ads inoffensive, the brainchild of TBWA London. Turns out the 45 complaints weren't enough to cause any retribution against the tongue-in-cheek advertising campaign. The phrases, which include the pictured "Your girlfriend's white bits here" and "Take a running leap," caused a bit of controversy, especially with the latter being located near subway rails. Sony voluntarily took down the subway rails poster, which is likely to remain viewless, but can have a field day with the rest now. How do you fine readers feel about this verdict?[Via Joystiq]
