It's pretty obvious that Sony and its image in the public realm has depreciated over the past few months. They're ridiculed time and time again by many writers on the internet (Joystiq included), using old internet memes about giant enemy crabs and real time weapon switching. Behind the humor, there are some real concerns that they need to address:
- Sony doesn't make reliable hardware. The exploding battery fiasco certainly doesn't look good for them, especially when they're responsible for recall after recall after recall after recall...
- Sony makes outrageous, unbelivable claims. And they're perceived as arrogant too. For good reason.
- Sony's marketing (for the PSP at least) has been atrocious.
With their stocks taking a huge plunge, many are wondering if there is a future for Sony, and if it's learning from its mistakes. Well, Sony's eating some humble pie as of late, even admitting to the weakening quality of their products. They're taking another step for the better: they're getting a new ad agency. According to mad.co.uk, Sony is finally re-examining their brand, and will try to completely makeover their corporate identity. With the all-important PlayStation 3 about to launch, Sony better get their act together... fast.
[Via CVG]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-05-2006 @ 10:38PM
ZENegade said...
Though I mostly agree with the article and your blurb on it, this sounds more like an article appropriate for Joystiq as opposed to a focused Fanboy blog. Don't get me wrong Yoon, good stuff here. And I realize it may be a slow news day (awaiting October 17th I assume?). But seriously though, let's focus on the PSP stuff. PSP is Sony, but Sony is not necessarily PSP (Read: squares and rectangles). Informative nonetheless.
Reply
10-05-2006 @ 10:54PM
Kaine3882 said...
This is true and i think a new marketing strategy is obviously in order. However, for arguments sake, i want to say that i really do like these in store displays that i've been seeing for the PS3. I think both the PSP and PS3 have the aesthetic in line with what sony is good at marketing: sleek consumer electronics. As much as i hate the smudges and fingerprints, that shiny black surface is beautiful and i like the sleek minimalistic displays that sony has for the PS3. If only i could see some commercials that display the cool and sleek hi-tech electronic feel that the in store kiosks possess, i think sony would, at least moreso than they are now, appeal to the target audience of the PS3.
Reply
10-06-2006 @ 9:05AM
pixelator said...
Every company makes stupid mistakes, but only the Nintendo throngs populating (and being readily pandered to) Joystiq truly believe Sony is 'on the way out'.
There was a lot of negative Sony press at the PS2 launch, too. Not quite as much, but you have to figure how much of that is self-fulfilling. Joystiq is ATROCIOUS at making every other blog a repetitive, rambling Sony bashfest. I used to read that site for game news, and now I mostly avoid it.
The changes here have been great. No rose-colored glasses, but a focus on the constructive and less whining and cheap sarcastic shots that many of your predecessors had such a penchant for. Let's keep it that way, eh?
Reply
10-06-2006 @ 11:28AM
flyers241 said...
at least in new york, there have been giant ads appearing on buildings and billboards depicting melting clocks or decapitated chess pieces with blood spattered everywhere, and a ps3 and a slogan saying "Play beyond" or something of that sort.
they seem very "attacking" to the viewer, if that means anything. i'm not sure if this is the new ad agency's ads, but i'd say it's a step in the right direction in terms of advertising.
well, i guess anything is better than psuedo-hispanic dust balls.
Reply
10-06-2006 @ 12:21PM
Granavatar_ofMe said...
You know what,this guy is totally right,the PSP ads are teh suck,i mean i remember a mad tv parody.
"Good product,bad commercial".
WTF sony,why you cant put ads like the nintendo ones? you know something like people seeing loco roco every where like the Pokemon ads.
For the Ps3,it will need the best publicity the earth can give since they cannot screw this one.The PSP ads were freaking bad but since it sells it doesnt matter. But with the Ps3 on 600$ it will need all the help possible to show consumers why they are paying 600$ for entertaiment.
Also something Nintendo does is to dont tell nothing until they have it,wii news arent frequent 1 per month.Nintendo only shows the finished product saying "Well here you go,dont like it,too bloody bad since its what we got".
Reply
10-07-2006 @ 6:24PM
OyoyoY123 said...
does that mean they will redesign the PSP?
Reply