How are analysts handling Karraker's departure?
by Nick Doerr 
{ Sep 7th 2007 at 9:45AM }
They're worried, honestly. Though some may say PR people are a dime a dozen in any industry, Karraker had a lot of history at Sony and his recent departure from the team is going to make it a difficult holiday for Sony, says analyst Michael Pachter. Karraker always made himself available for questions and comments, putting himself forward especially after the shaky PS3 launch and subsequent waves of negative press. Can someone fresh really fill the shoes of that man?Michael Pachter isn't completely sure. "The other PR people at Sony are quite competent, but it would help to strengthen the team with someone as good as Dave to handle the schizophrenic press over the next 6 months." Just because we always refer to ourselves as "we" doesn't make us schizophrenic! Although we don't consider ourselves press, either. As to further boost Sony's fears, Pachter also claimed that the few PS3 exclusives and pricing disadvantage relative to other consoles will make this one difficult holiday for Sony. Things will shape up in Spring, he said, "with the release of Grand Theft Auto 4, Gran Turismo 5, and Metal Gear Solid 4." We bet so, too!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Popfrogs @ Sep 7th 2007 10:06AM
Personally I think Sony needs new blood on the PR front. Their corporate communication with the public didn't really exist until the official blog opened up. Anything prior to that was a one-way street.
They're still better than Nintendo and other traditional Japanese companies when it comes to dealing and communicating with its customers, but there's always room for improvement. Hopefully Sony will land a crew that can turn around the negative press for good.
derrickgott007 @ Sep 7th 2007 10:09AM
It's about time they got rid of Dave Karraker...He was soooo out of touch, and his PR skills were horrible. You could tell him an obvious problem on the playstation blog, and he'd give a lame, off topic answer.
And who the hell is this Michael Pachter?? Is he just some lowly analyst who is trying to make a name for himself by always crying about sony??
Ian @ Sep 7th 2007 10:13AM
I'm shocked, Sony has a PR department! Next you'll be telling me something crazy like they have a Marketing department as well...
grassroots @ Sep 7th 2007 10:53AM
wow analyst are guessing the same things us gamers think. Maybe we should get paid for it as well.
Hatchetforce @ Sep 7th 2007 10:54AM
How many times are they going to publish predictions from this pinhead egoist Pachter? His record is worse than Miss Cleo. I wouldn't let Wedbush Morgan near my portfolio while he is an advisor.
Kspraydad @ Sep 7th 2007 10:54AM
Lets nominate sh0wstopper.
ShadowHawk01 @ Sep 7th 2007 11:01AM
You know... I have never heard of Michael Pachter until the PS3. I guess most of that could be attributed to the fact that I don't usually listen to analyst who try to make blind forecasts. However, now it seems like a day does not go by where I do not hear the name Michael Pachter. It would almost appear that Sony and the PS3 has made this man famous in some obscure way.
Anyway... my non-professional analysis is that Sony will be just fine this holiday. Now where can I get paid for guessing what will happen this holiday? I mean if Pachter can get paid for making guesses everyday why not me? (j/k)
ruibing @ Sep 7th 2007 1:00PM
I never heard of the man until the articles about him leaving either. I just think Sony needs to use that blog and listen to the requests of its consumers. It certainly helped dell when they decided to listen and put Linux in their systems and now others are following suite. A good, down to earth communication is all Sony really needs. Just focusing on making the PS3 better and making more games.
never$$hort @ Sep 7th 2007 12:27PM
OH NO!!! THE WHOLE PS3 COMMUNITY IS GONNA GO TO SHIT NOW THAT KARRAKER GONE!!! NOT...
Meh... come on Patcher, cut out the BS you spew outta your mouth dude. PS3 will be fine without Karraker, all systems have thier minor flaws (one has a major flaw in my opinion, I'll let you guess which one it is, hmmm)and losing Karraker is definately minor...
FLAWS (I know theres more, this is a summary):
1)PS3- not an extreme amount of games this Xmas, but enough titles to keep systems moving none the less.
2)Wii- is there still enough excitement left to warrant the landslide of purchases witnessed last holiday season... or is it starting to take its place as a phase/FAD, recent data and surveys show it starting to fade.
3)X360- Do I even have to explain its flaws... BUT IT HAS HALO 2.5, I mean 3, thats all that matters according to the systems supporters, LOL
Myke @ Sep 7th 2007 2:22PM
America is great! People actually get paid to guess about stuff. Anyway, this guy is retarded. Nuff said!IMO, Sony has a good line-up this holiday season w/ the PS3. Not to sound fanboyish, but what does the Wii or 360 have? I mean, besides Halo3 & Mass Effect, thats it.. The PS3 may not have a lot games but its better than the competition. The only thing Sony needs to work is the price for consumers (and firmware 2.0 for the PS3 owners). Dont 4get the PS3 hasnt been out a whole year yet! But starting next tuesday w/ HS and etc, games will be released every week. Then people like this jackass will either stop complaining and game or just shut the hell up entirely. This will be an interesting holiday season and w/ the PS3 line-up for this year & next, Sony cant be touched!!!!