Sony Gets It Right. The New PS3 Ad.
November 1, 2007
If you read us reguarly, then you know that we are huge gamers and love the genre’s advertising. Check out the latest PS3 spot above. Comments from the Playstation blog include:
“That is what I, am talking about! Makes me wanna buy a PS3 all over again! My applauds are to everyone who made these ads.”
“Those actually don’t suck… they don’t suck at all”
and “OMG that is advertising, the white room ads were ok, but these are amazing, if I did not own a PS3 those would make me go out and buy one plus we got some great games coming out. Honestly Sony great job, really good advertisements.”
Yes, these accolades are coming from Playstation die-hards, but we agree as owners of an Xbox 360, a Wii and a Nintendo DS Lite that this spot is far, far, far, better than what the brand has been churning out with the help of TBWA/C/D (ed.’s note: the account is in review). Sony’s game division suffered a massive $847 million loss during its second quarter thanks to the turgid sales of its Playstation 3 console, which retails at a lower than profit price tag (click here to read more, second item down). The brand has also recently seen ads from its recent campaign, “This Is Living” get banned by the ASA. Plus, the first run PS3’s were a large disappointment for many gamers and their advertising has a way of just pissing folks off. Keep in mind that recently Xbox began shifting their advertising to focus on the experience of using the system. Maybe Playstation has caught on that catering to the senses works better than hard edged disenchantment/violence or just irreverent creative. This commercial also pimps games only available on the PS3. An old trick that has been known to work.
We’re also wondering if the song, “Ladies and Gentlemen,” by a band call Saliva will hit the Top 20 charts if/when the spot makes regular rotations on TV. It happened for Old Navy and Gears Of War, so…
Regardless, way to go Playstation. You almost have us.
Read More: Vincent Gallo + Terry Richardson’s New Ad Campaign
November 1, 2007 at 10:49 pm
This kinda sucks, me thinks.
Looks nice at times, but it’s just visual noise that will blend right in.
I say, it’s a “meh”
November 1, 2007 at 11:16 pm
For me, it’s just like every other game ad. Lotsa action, lotsa bang’n'whiz… Not bad, but definitely not great.
November 1, 2007 at 11:22 pm
We are in no way saying this is groundbreaking, but you’ve got to show a little love for PS on this one. So much better and smarter than what they have been schilling. At least we think so anyways…
November 2, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Having been in the ad game for many years, I fail to see what’s great about this ad. Other than a few visual tricks, it seems pretty cold. Visual tricks are easy – where’s the emotional grab?
November 2, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Hey wow, things turning into other things interspersed with images from the different games available for the system!!! Innovative? I don’t even think the “ball of stuff” animation was that GOOD. Yeah a lot of time went into it, but really, it’s the kind of thing I am numb to in advertising now. Anything electronic has done some variation on it. I don’t think PS deserves a pat on the back just for doing something different from their last campaign.
I think they DO need something innovative to get me excited about it. I watch a lot of Spike TV, WWE wrestling and other young male type shows thanks to my lovely fiance, and I can pretty much guarantee this wouldn’t get him to shell out the cash for that thing.
November 2, 2007 at 5:29 pm
What agency did these?
I think we might have a clue as to where agency spy works.
November 2, 2007 at 6:28 pm
We think, emphasis on think, these came from TBWA/C/D and no, we didn’t work on these spots. We just love video games. Promise!
November 2, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Salvia is the Faith No More of 2007.
Even worse, the song, “Ladies and Gentleman” is the official theme song for Wrestlemania 23 and has been used on countless crappy sports talk shows since it’s release.
Makes me wonder who the joke is on.
November 2, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Well certainly this ad won’t win any awards for it’s originality or super creativity. I think what they did do well was execute. After all, there’s so few real original ideas in this market – but you gotta give props where props are due. Considering the stuff that’s been coming from the PS3 camp lately, this is a world of difference. If this came from TBWA/C/D than there just may be hope for them after all…or did they get an infusion of much needed fresh new talent?
Good execution meets perfect music, and dynamic visuals = a decent spot. I’ll give props to Sony for this.
November 2, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Decent spot this is not.
It’s filler. Nice looking filler, but filler nonetheless.
November 5, 2007 at 1:29 am
holly crap, this definately makes me want to get one, idc what u guys say, it’ll definately make others want one too.
November 6, 2007 at 1:19 am
Weak concept, but in its very busyness says that this machine can do a lot. Still pretty typical and expected. Doesnt appeal to me at all. But Playstation enthusiasts will probably love it.
November 10, 2007 at 2:08 am
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