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Sony Europe releases new PSP ad, head scratching ensues
All right, we admit, Sony Europe has the most insane and off-the-wall ideas when it comes to advertising. This latest advertisement for our lovely PSP shows a man and woman pulling, stretching, snapping, and popping each other's faces while talking about ... well, we weren't really paying attention because this is just ridiculous. We imagine it had to do with the features of the PSP, all with sexy British accents![via DCemu]
Verne Troyer is a Gnome Mage; no one is surprised
Back when Blizzard released the new World of Warcraft ads featuring Mr. T and William Shatner, it also announced that a Verne Troyer ad was forthcoming. It's finally here, and it turns out that, like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mini-Me is a Mage!If you liked the first two English-language WoW TV spots, you'll like this one, though I don't think it's quite as exciting because we all knew what was coming; he's a Gnome. What a surprise! It's still awesome and you should all check it out. I don't need to tell you that, though, do I? I'm still holding out for The Hoff. What class would he be, I wonder? And if they could get Schwarzenegger, they'd have to create a Governator class. Hey, they already made a Mohawk class for Mr. T. Okay, this is getting silly and I'm getting carried away![Thanks, Chris!]
WoW commercials: Jean-Claude Van Damme and Willy Toledo editions
I have no shame reblogging the new WoW commercials. Van Damme apparently plays a well... He needs to reroll, what a noob."My name is Jean-Claude Van Damme... and I am a mage. Hand-to-hand combat for me: it's over! Now I can cast powerful spells! Just try messing with me... I'll turn you into a sheep. A sheep! Because we all are a bit like sheep, you know... I am Jean-Claude Van Damme, I am a mage. And you? What's your game?"Mages are nothing but vending machines and sheepish freaks. I was expecting some high roundhouse kicks in there -- at least he picked a Troll. Donjohn, commented at WoW Insider, providing some additional notes that pertain to the inside-jokes for zi'French. Van Damme frequently uses English words in his oft-butchered French sentences The line on everyone being like sheep might tie into numerous interviews with JCVD's rhapsodic views about the world [Willy Toledo and further comments after the break]
WoW Moviewatch: I am a Paladin
Quite a few people wrote in to report that Blizzard's latest advertising campaign, featuring William Shatner and Mr. T, covers more than just the English-speaking audience. A Spanish language commercial, featuring actor Willy Toledo. And though you may not know the name, Paladins seem to approve of the commercial, which shows the Paladin as a melee class. An approximate translation:Hi, my name is Willy Toledo... and I am a Paladin. I am a combination of a spell caster and a specialist in melee combat... up-close and personal, clearly what I like most. But this is serious, I´m a protector of the Holy Light. I am Willy Toledo, and I'm a Paladin. And you? What's your game?As a note, the "melee combat" mention above translates more directly as "body-to-body" combat -- so now we all know that this commercial is only a Blessing of Protection joke away from Illegal Danish 2.Previously on Moviewatch...[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Deutsch wins PlayStation advertising account
After having divorced itself from their 13-year advertising company TBWA/Chiat/Day, Sony Computer Entertainment America has now decided who to hand the $150 million advertising account to. Pitchers for the account included Publicis & Hal Riney, Publicis West, Grey, Deautsh, Young & Rubicam and JWT with Deutsch being the eventual winner. As a result, don't expect to see too many PS3 octopus adverts as we venture further into the new year. While this appears to be an America only deal, TBWA are still, as far as we know, in possession of the European advertising account. Hopefully SCEE will see the light, as SCEA has, and rid us of the dog-fluffing, ballet dancing adverts we've become so familiar with. At any rate, these are exciting times as we head into 2008. With all the 2007 titles having been released, things can only start improving for Sony and the PS3 from here on out.[Via Joystiq]
Sony drops ad agency responsible for Universe commercials
It seems Sony is finally fed up with being the brunt of industry jokes with its long list of laughable commercials. In Sony's recent internal review for its $150 million advertising account, it eliminated its 13-year ad agency, TBWA/Chiat/Day, from consideration.With TBWA out of the picture, it leaves four other companies in contention. Two companies, Publicis in the West and Deutsch have been requested to present further information, while the other two have not been contacted, according to Advertising Age.The recently released company was responsible for delivering Sony's Universe line of commercials, which are currently airing on TV. However, while TBWA/Chiat/Day was tasked with delivering the new line of commercials, Superfad is the production company that actually created the ads, so there still is a possibility that Sony continues the impressive ads.[Via Max Console]
Sony America drops ad agency of 13 years -- now?
Advertising Age reports Sony Computer Entertainment of America kicked their ad agency of 13 years to the curb yesterday. TBWA/Chiat/Day was eliminated from the review of the $150 million PlayStation account. After all the numerous incidents over the years and the disastrous PS3 launch ads, the company finally turned things around for this holiday season. Looks like it was a day late and $150 million dollars short.There's still some questions that'll probably be clarified when an official announcement of the new ad agency is made. For example, all information on the issue speaks directly to Sony America, however TBWA is also responsible for the twisted, disruptive, ridiculous, and sometimes racist, European ads as well. Sony has yet to comment.[Via GameDaily]
Cape Radio: a Virtue-ous establishment
As any CoX player who's spent any time on Virtue server knows, there are a number of reasons that The Cape Radio is known as Virtue's number one source for radio. Part of their appeal lies in their incredible band of truly professional staffers, part of it is the open forums they use to address their fan base, and part of it is their truly wicked, wicked sense of humor. And, as part of their second anniversary, DJ Enigma has released sixteen exquisitely humorous .mp3s, all previously broadcast, allowing everyone who has not had the opportunity to experience their terrific lineup to at least enjoy these audio clips.
Mr. T and William Shatner appear in WoW commercials [Updated]
William Shatner and Mr. T are appearing in two new World of Warcraft TV commercials. All Blizzard needs is the Hoff and it'll have the holy trinity of cheese!This is without a doubt one of the most awesome things we've yet reported. Mr. T talks about his "Night Elf Mohawk." William Shatner players a Shaman and wears a goofy looking robe. It's exactly as funny as you'd expect, and it will be broadcast nationally soon. Blizzard announced that Verne Troyer -- aka "Minime" -- will be recording a commercial as well.World of Warcraft players have already been littering guild chat with "I pity the fool who specs survival on his Hunter!" and taking screenshots of their characters screaming "KHAAAAAAN!" at the sky. So it goes without saying that these commercials will probably go over quite well.[EDIT: We have the videos here for your viewing pleasure! Shatner is above, and Mr. T is just behind the jump.]
New Target commercial may be a bit too much like Sony's
After watching Sony's latest round of PlayStation 3 commercials, it's probably safe to say most of us were awestruck, especially considering what lackluster commercials we've been subjected to for the past few years. While we assumed Sony's "marketing geniuses" created the new "Universe" ads, the company actually didn't have as much to do with them as previously thought. In actuality, Sony enlisted the help of marketing company TBWA\Chiat\Day, which, in turn, "commissioned the talents of Superfad who set out to design an animated universe that literally explodes from the system," according to Superfad's website. While we've long said Sony needs to reach outside its current marketing team for ideas, we're happy it finally did. However, we're not too sure how okay it is when that marketing team then creates another commercial using the same artistic direction as the one it created for Sony, which is exactly what happened when Superfad created the Art Connects commercial recently for Target. Although the two sets of commercials were created by different directors, the artistic similarities can't be ignored as both predominately focus on objects emanating from visually appealing black blobs. In the end, though, it's probably not that big a deal, as we're sure most consumers aren't dumb enough to confuse the two, but it is kinda strange to see both sets of commercials airing on television at the same time. Maybe next time Sony should make sure the company it hires to come up with its next round of commercials isn't so excited with its new style that it also applies it to another client.
How not to advertise the PS3
Fresh off the release of a couple extremely awesome commercials featuring the 40GB PS3 and a slew of other great features that make us love our PlayStation 3, we were starting to regain some of our lost confidence in the Sony hype machine. However, all that may have grinded to a halt with this bizarre commercial recently released in Europe.Although we've always thought the European's taste in just about everything is rather odd, this commercial raises that bar to an entirely new and utterly disturbing level. However, while most Sony commercials have always retained their oddity, they haven't always been bad. Anyone remember I am the Wolfman?[Thanks for the tip, Tom!]
Sony gets head in the game with new PS3 ads
The word you're looking for is: FINALLY. Sony America finally gets their damn head in the game to sell some PS3s with a new ad campaign for this holiday. Sony Senior VP of Marketing and PSN Peter Dille wrote a long love letter on Sony's blog about the plan with this holiday's marketing. "Last year, we launched the PS3 with a campaign that become known as the 'White Room' and we received a strong reaction to those ads for being provocative and demonstrating the PS3's power," Dille wrote, obviously unaware of the extreme delusion in that statement. "With those technology messages now firmly embedded, we wanted to move beyond the 'power' message with a more high-energy, entertainment driven focus for the PS3. The games are here, the price point is now $399 and we wanted to make the news loud and clear."The 30 second spot (above) focuses on the exclusive games for the console. And in a shocker for Sony, they actually show the games in the ads. After the break is the 60 second spot focusing on the PS3's features. Now we wait to see if new consumers notice the lack of backwards compatibility in their new $399 PS3.
Halo 3's final days of marketing assault
And we're in the final stretch as the Halo 3 marketing machine goes into overdrive and assaults the broadcast medium this weekend. Variety got the details on what Chris Di Cesare, Xbox director of product marketing, calls "magnifying the mania." Expect original programming that'll bring newbs to the Halo franchise -- and the Xbox 360 -- by focusing on networks with demographics in line with the Master Chief plan.It starts Saturday on Comedy Central with Fully Loaded, two-minute mini-ads hosted by Mad TV's Bobby Lee, which were taped at Tao Beach nightclub following the Madame Tussauds unveiling on the weekend of the MTV Video Music Awards. Spike TV's Game Head will host a live feed Monday night, breaking in with coverage during commercial breaks, and then air a half-hour special at midnight called: Halo 3 Launched. That program will feature a performance by Linkin Park. G4 has also set five hours of time aside for the launch as well. On Tuesday, Sci Fi Channel will show Halo 3: Sci vs. Fi. Of course, we'd love to stay home and watch all this launch coverage, but we'll be too busy doing our own coverage, which mostly consists of us waiting in line like everybody else, taking photos and getting quotes.
HD commercials gaining traction?
Just two short years ago, we were the ones wondering where all the HD ads were, but now it seems that commercials in high-definition are finally getting the attention they deserve. According to a study conducted on Discovery HD Theater, it was found that "the increase in brand recall by HD viewers was triple that of standard-definition viewers, and intent-to-purchase was 55-percent higher when ads were seen in HD." Furthermore, viewers claimed that spots in high-def were "very enjoyable." The research hints that HD commercials may finally be recognized as "premium content" worth premium prices, but it was noted that as these kinds of ads become "more normal, they won't have as big a lift."[Image courtesy of HiddenWires]
Time Warner readying modified fast-forward functionality for DVRs
While Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) won't go down as the first cable company to modify the oh-so-lovable fast-forward feature, at least the latest hamstringing won't affect those willing to pay up. Dubbed "Look Back," the newfangled DVR feature will reportedly come "without a monthly fee," and will only allow customers to skip ahead and back in predetermined chunks of time; moreover, it will be limited to programs that are watched back before midnight of the day they air. The firm plans to test it out this October in South Carolina before "gradually introducing it around the country," and it was also noted that this -- along with the "Start Over" feature that functions exactly as it sounds -- would not require viewers to "remember to record programs," but alas, it also eliminates the ability to keep a library of stored content onboard. Ah well, so long as we diehard DVR users can keep on coughing up the dough required for a fully-functional FF button, we've no real qualms with this option joining the fray.
DS Daily: Nintendo Advertising System
In honor of our weekly Promotional Consideration column, which you should be reading, we thought we'd ask about your favorite game-related commercials. We grew up bombarded by Nintendo commercials, including Zelda raps, Devo-esque cereal jingles, and ... okay, we don't remember seeing an ad for Mendel Palace. Seriously, that's a big budget for advertising Mendel Palace.And that's just Nintendo. We can't forget the years we spent being yelled at by Sega. What about you? What is still burned into your brain?
TiVo announces most-watched commercials service
TiVo has announced a new service for advertisers and those interested in tracking commercial viewership, the Top Commercial Rankings reports, which is based on info gleaned using TiVo's StopWatch feature that tracks viewer behavior second-by-second. The feature has TiVo compiling reports for April and May on metrics like the top commercials watched overall (Disturbia and Ford trucks), or the least fast-forwarded campaigns (FedEx and Samsung Jitterbug). The report includes interesting insight into how viewers watch television, even timeshifted programs, and should provide advertisers more information about how to maximize their impact. Now to get this report to studio execs to keep them from blaming DVRs for the downfall of their industry.
Nicole Kidman enjoys Nintendo products*
Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman has joined the ranks of the brain-trained. The star of Practical Magic, Batman Forever, and Days of Thunder has agreed to become the official face of More Brain Training (well, the other official face) in a series of print and television advertisements to be shown across Europe. "I love the concept that Nintendo is reaching out to new audiences with their self improvement products like Brain Training," Kidman said. "Most importantly, I've quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind young." Maybe now Nintendo and Brain Age will finally be able to achieve some success.*For money.
Pacific Catch offers iPhone Calamari special
If life deals you lemons, make lemonade. If life deals you an iPhone commercial, make calamari. The Pacific Catch restaurant is celebrating the recent Apple iPhone commercial by offering a Pacific Catch Calamari Special at both its locations. No details are on-offer at the Pacific Catch site, but I'm pretty sure the deal involves tentacles. Next up, I expect surf shops start offering doggy skateboarding lessons. Thanks Brian and Andrew
Video: pie in the face = Xbox sold in Japan?
Okay, we've seen some weird foreign Xbox ads (no, really), but this one takes the cake ... er ... pie. Apparently, a (notably attractive) woman dodging pies was meant to pique Japan's interest in the original Xbox. While we have to admit that evading the attacks of a pie-tossing machine would make for thrilling digital entertainment, we have to question the logic of using the same scenario to sell Xboxen. We can just imagine the illustrations on the whiteboard in the Microsoft marketing dungeon:1. Hot girl2. Pie-tossing machine3. Slogan4. ???5. Profit!So, for the record, we have Do!Do!Do!, "There's a Locust under my bed," and a pie machine. And they wonder why they can't move consoles in Japan.[Via The Xbox Domain]
