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Editorial: How To Not Sell PlayStation Moves with Creepy/Random Advertising


As I write this post, I’m trying to not come off pissed but I can’t help it. We have pointed out on this site over and over again that Sony makes some fantastic products, but has the worst marketing department on the entire planet. This holiday season is a crucial one for Sony. The PlayStation 3 has been enjoying great momentum and is only 3-4 million units away from the Xbox 360. This is a big deal for Sony as the PS3 has always lagged 7-9 million units behind the Xbox 360. With this new steam behind PlayStation 3, Sony has also released the PlayStation Move to offer users both something new and to counter Nintendo. Having a great product is one thing, but having people find out about it something entirely different, and Microsoft knows this. Most of their products are mediocre at best. Look at Windows Vista. Look at the Xbox 360 with claims of 40% failure rate. And yet, that doesn’t matter because Microsoft knows how to advertise. Simply put, Kinect won’t work for most people, but that’s not going to stop Microsoft, nor the $500 million they have set aside to advertise it. Sony has already claimed that it has no plans to match Microsoft when it comes to spending and that’s ok too. I understand it, Sony simply does not have that kind of cash, but that does not mean that they should spend the cash they do have on weird as hell advertising.

Microsoft makes it clear during the 30 second ads that people are having fun playing with the Xbox 360 with a new interface that requires no controller. There it is, a simple pitch, but from the beginning to the end, it’s clear that this is a Xbox commercial for their new product. What does Sony do in their Latin America ad? Have some weird commercial with adult babies (wow, that wasn’t two years ago) who are going about their day, doing “adult” stuff and at the end, you see a PlayStation 3 with a Move controller logo.

Sony and Kevin Butler Think that the PS3 is Great for the Whole Family

Another ad from Sony and Kevin Butler, this time building the case that the PlayStation 3 offers something for the whole family. Sony is looking to leverage the fact that the PlayStation 3 has a built-in web browser for access to popular social networking site Facebook and the native Netflix app for the whole family to watch movies from. Ssshhhh, don’t say another word.

Sony, with the help of Kevin Butler, Targets Holiday Shoppers

With a new holiday ad on the airways, Sony and Kevin Butler are targeting parents who both want a gift for their kids, say a gaming console, and something more adult like, say a new Blu-ray player for the house. Sony’s solution is simple: the PlayStation 3. It’s a gaming console for the kids to play on and still one of the best Blu-ray players on the market, all packed into one. Of course, Sony has recently expanded the scope of the PS3 again by offering 3D movies and games, as well as their new motion controller, the PlayStation Move.

Gran Turismo 5 Commercial, Kevin Butler Style

Now that we know Gran Turismo 5 is coming out, why not follow it up with another awesome commercial? Maybe add some sexy cars and throw in Kevin Butler. Yea..that’s what I think we need.

Twisted Metal Retro Game Ad

Today on IGN, they posted nine gaming advertisements that were retro-ized.  I found this one for Twisted Metal and it’s too awesome not to share.  I’d love if more posters and ads were made to look retro, totally buy them.

Sony and Subway Promotions Expand Beyond Playstation Move

Sony and Subway as of late have been no strangers when it comes to promotions, kicking things off by giving those who try their new subs a chance to win LittleBigPlanet 2, Playstation Move and Sony Bravia TVs. Now that the Playstation Move has launched, Sony and Subways are kicking off a new promotions where you can win Playstation 3 games and gear like the new Sony Bloggie or Bravia HX810.

Playstation Move Men Want to Party

What do you guys think of the PlayStation Move men? I’d hit it… I mean party with them if they dropped by.

Sony Launches New Playstation Move Site, Has Fun With Microsoft

Sony has just launched a new site to promote the Playstation Move before its September 17th release. Designed to contain both facts and be cheeky at the same time, I feel like the site gives out a lot of information for those who want it. For example, not sure how to tell your mom or girlfriend that you want the Playstation Move? Use the ‘Sensitive Fireman’ tool and in no time, the website will give you a personal video that you can play to your loved one to help convince them that you need a Playstation Move.

 

Kevin Butlers Epic Playstation Move-Tage

There really isn’t much to say here except to feast your eyes on the Butler and his ‘Epicness.’

Xbox Final Fantasy 13 Commercial gets pulled for using PS3 FF13 Footage

It’s no secret the Final Fantasy 13 was of superior design on the Playstation 3, compared to its Xbox 360 brother that was later ported. Not only did xbox owners have to put up with multiple discs and longer loads times, but being that the Playstation 3 was the lead platform and the game was optimized for it, the Xbox 360 version also had inferior graphics as well. Of course, the Advertising Agency behind the Xbox 360 campaign for Final Fantasy 13 seemed to know this as well and so they decided to use footage from the Playstation 3 version instead. Of course, being the internet and DVR age that we live in today, it didn’t take long for viewers to notice that there was something wrong and reported it to the Advertising Standard Agency.

The ASA commented that “we noted that there was a discernible difference in the picture quality of the two—the PS3 image in video sequences appeared sharper and colors were more vivid than those of the Xxbox 360.”

Sony Takes a Shot at Samsung, Tells You Why Their 3D TV is Better

Sony products tend to be more expensive then their counterpart, Samsung and many assume it’s because it’s Sony. Think of it like a Sony tax. However, that usually tends to not be the case and because of actually superior parts and technology that get missed in the blog world and don’t think for a second the 17 year old kid at Best Buy is going to tell you. In this new ad, Sony tells you why you should stick with their 3D TV and it makes great sense.

Sony Tape Deck from 1973 Ad

I would love to see a new take from Sony on this ad for the 40th anniversary of this product.

Sony and Subway want you to Eat Fresh and Move

If I were Stephen Colbert, I’m sure I could think of some awesome puns here but alas, I’m not so I will report this as it is. Sony and Subway have announced a new advertising plan that is looking to give out $1 million worth of Playstation loot, including the new Playstation Move. Called the “Fiery Footlong Frenzy Fueled by PlayStation Program,” all gamers and non-gamers have to do is to stop by a local Subway and purchase a Fiery Footlong sub and a 32 ounce drink. The rewards will then be located on the 32 ounce drink that the user will peel away. Besides the Playstation Move, Sony will also be giving away the PSP-3000 (no love for the PSPgo), Playstation 3 units as well as 3D Bravia televisions.

 “PlayStation consumers are accustomed to being the first to have access to innovative technology unlike anything on the market,” said Ginger Kraus, senior director of brand alliances at Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC in the press release. “We are thrilled to team up with Subway in the U.S. to carry on this tradition, and extend the PlayStation experience through strategic partnerships like this that will ultimately benefit fans of both PlayStation and Subway.” 

Overall, this is a fantastic little promotion for the Move. Not only does it offer gamers a healthy sandwich, but it links the Playstation Move to it, which is designed to get you off of your ass and…well…Move!…while playing games.

Sony’s World Cup Rating: C+

As we finish week 3 of the World Cup, I thought that this would be the opportune moment to look back and see how Sony has done during these matches in regards to its advertising. Although the World Cup is still something strange to many in the US, make no mistake that football soccer is the world largest sport by a huge margin with over 93 million live views and nearly 6 billion views in total. Of course, all of these stats might seem worthless to Sony until you think of the audience they have access to. This also marks a shifting point for Sony. The Playstation 3 has had a year of momentum going for it. Sony and the entertainment industry are on the verge of bringing 3D to homes and it’s now been about 4 years since Blu-ray launched. So how has Sony done during this time? Hit the jump to read our take on it.

First, we have to note that Sony is the official sponsor of the World Cup 2010. That means that most of the time, their ads are on the walls surrounding the soccer fields, as well as on top of the screen next to the score board. Look at the following pictures to get a better sense:

Sony Airs New 3D Commercial Ad

What do you guys think? New 3D ad from Sony for their new lineup of 3D TVs.