SCEA's Seybold promises one of Sony's 'most aggressive marketing plans' for PS3
by Andrew Yoon 
{ May 14th 2009 at 8:00PM }
While PS3 sales are still lagging behind the competition, at least Sony is admitting to not getting the message across to the average Joe. "We often hear from our customers that they're surprised by everything the PS3 does in addition to what they purchased the device for -- including features like DLNA, free access to Wi Fi and Internet browser," Patrick Seybold, SCEA's Senior Director of Corporate Communications, told us in a statement. "In some ways, this serves as a reminder that there's more we can do to relay the full breadth and power of the PS3."
Hopefully, things will turn around in what Sony calls one of its "most aggressive marketing plans" yet. "We're revving up the new fiscal year with a broad tent of content and services across our platforms with envelope-pushing PS3 games like inFAMOUS, MAG, and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves ... We know our consumers have varying entertainment lifestyles from the Blu-ray movie fanatic to photo enthusiast, so we've outlined our most aggressive marketing plans to help showcase this tremendous value proposition to all our consumers. We've got a proven history in delivering the best entertainment experience and there is no doubt the PlayStation brand is staged for another big year."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JaseH @ May 14th 2009 8:07PM
GET TO IT THEN!
:]
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JaseH.
Carlos @ May 14th 2009 8:53PM
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words.."
I want to see something happen, honestly, something BIG. The most aggressive plan of the year. Just do it and get over with it
Game_playa @ May 15th 2009 3:34PM
OK FINE!
__________________________
Game.P
thatguy9357 @ May 14th 2009 8:07PM
If only PS3 could make toast
Grishrak @ May 18th 2009 9:20PM
If only the PS3 could beat the 360, with a price cut it could happen cause all they have are halo and gears saving their asses. I have a 360 played them and they aren't worth the hype or sale numbers.
We have a list of better games that get kicked to side like Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Valkyria Chronicles and so on. Why are 2 over hyped games sell more then masterpieces?
undercovermc1 @ May 14th 2009 8:24PM
Have Sony only just realised this? Why spend so much money putting this technology into the system, if you're not going to advertise it right off the bat? I really wonder what a Sony Playstation marketing meeting is like..
rohan @ May 14th 2009 8:26PM
2 words: PSN cards.......game and DLC on PSN will fly through the roof even "Horse amour" like DLC ( hell i will buy 3 for the hell of it)
jgedert07 @ May 14th 2009 10:30PM
PSN cards have been out for a while.... at least here in Cincinnati.
rohan @ May 14th 2009 10:35PM
i forgot to mention, Worldwide not only a few countries
Dartmerc @ May 14th 2009 11:25PM
I doubt it would change much.
VEX @ May 15th 2009 4:49AM
He's got a point. I was talking about it the other day with my friend (we live i Australia), and we both said we'd each buy a $100 card if they were released here and just spend like crazy.
jasper @ May 14th 2009 8:33PM
we need more services on ps3 to bring us our entertainment and not just in the us but every where, imagin a machine that sits in your living room that gives you every thing the ps3 does now and would also deliver you music tv movies games through services to you with out having to leave the house and not have the assle to shop around for all your entertainment, every one would wont to buy one
Popfrogs @ May 15th 2009 1:35AM
Yeah music is still strangely missing from the PSN. I guess if Sony decided to change their dev agreements and force a play-your-own-music option on every game, then launched a music store on the PSN, you'd see some more profit potential.
jasper @ May 15th 2009 3:34AM
correct mate if apple can do it why cant sony
Ashitaka @ May 15th 2009 8:42AM
Still... You could use Google's fantastic PS3 media server.
http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/
jasper @ May 16th 2009 11:48AM
thanks for the link mate downloaded it but have not used it yet
JDHexen @ May 14th 2009 8:35PM
They should begin at once then,there's no need to waste any time.
Marc @ May 14th 2009 8:51PM
I could have told them this a long time ago, pay me the big money you've been paying too advertise the PS3, because shit I could have done a much better job a long time ago. Like say when the console launched over 2 years ago.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ May 14th 2009 8:52PM
I dont understand WHY I dont See PS3 Commercials...hell I see 360 and Wii Commercials on damn near EVERY Channel....I was Watching Planet Green AND and seen a Wii Commercial....
They just need to do a SERIOUS Blitz....Have Ads during EVERY primetime show, whether it be for Blu-ray and Media Capabilites during shows that are NOT the PS3 Gamer Audience but the Blu-ray Audience, OR for The Games & Home during shows that ARE in the target audience for the games....just get it DONE
Mo @ May 14th 2009 9:07PM
+1
kentuckyfried @ May 14th 2009 11:10PM
Seriously...Sony's marketing team for the ps3, all those fools should be fired and new people brought into the fold. b/c whatever they've been doing? Not nearly enough.
I think that this year, if they can announce a $300 price tag, coupled with all the releases, they might be able to come out fighting against the recession. I know at least a handful of people waiting for that price to move on a purchase.
darkslide01 @ May 14th 2009 9:13PM
Even with marketing they are going to have a ruff time. As much as I enjoy my PS3 and as much as I know how much Sony has done to bring the consoles feature set up ....the fact that a machine, whos entry price is twice that of its competition, still doesn't match feature sets that are considered a MUST have make it a tough sell.
So what Sony is facing in NA is a mostly 360 crowd, telling potential next gener's that they get more bang for their buck by choosing MS. Which makes a huge impact in a time where people are loosing jobs...or just hording money in case of a job lose.
Popfrogs @ May 15th 2009 1:38AM
Uh, dunno if you own a PS3, but it matches Xbox Live now minus cross-game voice chat, which I imagine is coming eventually. Sony has really beefed up the firmware features since release.
Mattchewie @ May 14th 2009 9:14PM
Even with marketing they are going to have a ruff time. As much as I enjoy my PS3 and as much as I know how much Sony has done to bring the consoles feature set up ....the fact that a machine, whos entry price is twice that of its competition, still doesn't match feature sets that are considered a MUST have make it a tough sell.
So what Sony is facing in NA is a mostly 360 crowd, telling potential next gener's that they get more bang for their buck by choosing MS. Which makes a huge impact in a time where people are loosing jobs...or just hording money in case of a job lose.
Kodros @ May 14th 2009 9:28PM
Whats the "must have" features?
ryanpaulmcgowan @ May 14th 2009 10:14PM
What must have features?
kentuckyfried @ May 14th 2009 11:13PM
GREAT EXCLUSIVES
MGO
FREE ONLINE ACCESS
HI-DEF BLU-RAY ACTION
FREE MEDIA SERVER CAPABILITY
BETTER VIDEO FILE NAVIGATION SUPPORT THAN THE COMPETITION
A BROWSER
MGO
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN THAT HELPS YOU GET LAID
ETC ETC
Mattchewie @ May 16th 2009 5:27AM
Maybe features wasn't the right word.
However there are a lot of silly things that just don't make sense.
Like while in home, I can phone a friend. We both start working on Xi and having a great time. Then we go up stairs to access the "consoles" and link into the fake desktop. All of a sudden we I notice our conversation just went dead. The reason was HOME/Xi opened the web browser and with no pop up or anything "mutes" our voice session until we both are out of the web browser. I'm sure most of you will say "no big deal" however from a general public stand point, I think its a huge deal. Since Home gives you no way of knowing that the user can't hear you, the other party might think your just ignoring them. Which IMHO, puts a HUGE kink in the social aspect of Xi and HOME.
I also see mention of MGO. While MGO is a great looking game and though I'm a HUGE MG fan, MGO's multiple login's kill that game out of the gate. I know its not sony's fault but I expect my PSN id to be the be all end all when it comes to me being online with my PS3. So, once again. You have issues because there is a rift in the experience.
I also know its the new igxmb but cross game chat is VERY useful. Especially with games like warhawk where voice isn't even turned on until you enter the server for gameplay. So until that time, you and your friend are left to using text to try to discuss server options, open server slots etc, which by the time you riffle out 3 messages via the OSD keyboard, the server becomes full or the like.
Like I said, I enjoy my PS3. I enjoy the first party titles. I think they have made great strides in updating the system and have the groundwork to fix these little bumps. However these little bumps are the ammo used when I'm discussing gaming with peers and usually they use the "Well for 200 bucks more why can't it still not do cross game invites and chat"...and they do have a point to certain degree.
karlwulfekote @ May 14th 2009 9:21PM
Here is how Sony can use advertising to win the console race:
Sony should copy Apple's "Hi I'm a PC" and "Hi I'm a Mac" commercials. They could maybe even hire the same actors. Just like Apple's successful campaign, Sony should plainly start to hammer out all of the advantages the PS3 has over the 360. They should really highlight things like the fact that PS3 has more exclusive first party games, free access to PSN, Blu-Ray, Web browser, RROD, E74.
Sony, if your out there get in touch with me. I'll make things happen.
Twinturbo120 @ May 14th 2009 9:40PM
Wow..they kinda said that last year. They promise so much but don't deliver. Remember in 2006 they showed the PSP as a rear-view mirror for a F1 racing game. That game was F1 Championship Edition. And guess what? There was no rear-view mirror in that game or anything like they said they would promise. THERE BRAINWASHING US
donmcthrill @ May 14th 2009 11:11PM
Dear Sony,
My name is Donald and I am an achitecture intern from Brooklyn. I would like you to consider some of my ideas and if you like, please contact me for more:
-The new PSP should be a hybrid of the Kindle, ipodtouch and the Wii remote. What do I mean?
-It should connect to PS store the same way the Kindle connects to Amazon for books.
-It should have an accelerometer and touch technology. The PSP should create a Wii like experience when synced to PS3 and compete with DS/ iPod when detached.
-It should have a Touch screen. So I can use it to type or as a mouse. Not to mention the gaming options when synced to the PS3 as a controller.
Let me simplify,
If I could use my iPhone as a controller for the ps3 creating a Wii remote style experience; we would be in business. Not to mention added features like an on screen keyboard and touch technology.
Two more things,
1) Throwback games like SSF2HD and Bionic commando re armed should be the typical types of games offered on the PSP. Play at home and on the Go!
2) Can I connect to facebook, aim, twitter through Home please? There is no way to interact with non gamers while on ps3... It's good marketing if you consider this one. Create a media wall (in Home) so I can share pictures videos and websites with home users. I want to be able to see a friend surfing the web (if I can see them bowl, then I can see them surf), seeing what he or she is doing on the particular webpage and also discuss it with them.
One more) Can we design our own something in Home using a Sketch up or LBP type software?... oh! and PS3 owners should get a discount on the 250 price tag of the new psp I JUST PROPOSED.
Thanks ,
Donald
Brooklyn, NY
Jinsenken @ May 14th 2009 11:24PM
PS3 - $100 = PS3 > 360 in sales
bulletsmakepeace @ May 15th 2009 9:23AM
Actually the PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 in April 09 Sales, and yes it did outsell the PS2 also.
For some reason Joystiq seems to get scared when the PS3 sales numbers hold up so thats why they only report the US Sales which mean nothing to a real company nor how many units are actually in the wild.
April 09 NPD US & Japan.
PS2: =190,754
Xbox 360: = 208,115
PS3: = 253,167
PSP: = 287,715
Wii: = 406,555
DS: = 1,202,839
Console wars are getting as bad as elections.
Miss all the facts and only report what's on your personal agenda. Cry what you want but Xbox 360 barely outsold the PS2, and the PS3 won this month in next gen sales.
Angel Mass @ May 14th 2009 11:57PM
I really hope the aggressive marketing plan includes to low the costs...
Tim @ May 15th 2009 12:16AM
Geez, Sony, lift your damn dub only scheisse, ja?
Popfrogs @ May 15th 2009 1:40AM
Once again, Google translate fails us all.
Josh @ May 15th 2009 1:26AM
Good. The PS3 slim + PSP Go! + a general 'rebranding' and new marketing push is what the PlayStation brand needs to revive itself.
But if Sony fucks this up, they're done.
Jinsenken @ May 15th 2009 5:55PM
The phrase "PS3 slim" has piqued my interest. Elaborate.
Josh @ May 15th 2009 6:18PM
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361611
Think Adrian @ May 15th 2009 1:27AM
Maybe we'll see commercials that are RELEVANT to the product for once?
Popfrogs @ May 15th 2009 1:42AM
Yeah, I thought they had the right idea with the swirly black slimeball commercials, where the PS3's games were shown (with in-game footage, shocking) along with media capabilities. Sony really needs to pimp the PS3 as your media centerpiece device. While they're at it, buy the software team working on the PS3mediaserver software and bring them in-house for polishing. Then the PS3 can ship with a disc with the streaming server and a little booklet explaining how to use it. Big win.
Ashitaka @ May 15th 2009 8:59AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8znoNgEB_ng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvdbzBYV7h4
These are relevant enough to me.
flipaskizzy @ May 15th 2009 4:20AM
i actually consider myself a ps3fanboy, but im sick of hearing this shyt, they need to drop the price, and address all the suggestions that users have been pestering them about with better and more frequent firmware updates. they said so themselves that theyre in it for the long run, well the long run should be to establish a high market share with low (at least competitive) prices, then make up for it through software sales and good marketing for high-profile ps3 exclusives. sales figures are feedback of what they are doing right and wrong, and apparently theyve been wrong for a year since theyve been letting the competition knock them around while preaching the same bullshyt over and over, when it is clearly evident that the damn thing isnt selling because of the price. i know the ps3 will start outselling teh 360 down the road because of bluray, but they wont be able to catch up if they fall any further behind. its ridiculous, the numbers are right in front of them
jj @ May 15th 2009 5:31AM
Sony listen up because your marketing people have failed you. They're still stuck in the 90's.
Cut the dang price Sony, you'll make more $$ in the end with game sales. And Fix the Controller for Pete's sake, it's been 10 years and needs some ergonomic improvements. I buy all the FPS games on the Xbox because the controller is simply awesome.
I'd rather be playing on the PS3, I'd rather be doing everything on the ps3. Keep the current Dual Shock 3 around for the retards that still like it, but give the rest of us a better controller NOW.
And natively support home networks, allow PS3 owners to access networked drives and allow home computers to access drives on the PS3. I'd love to store all my media content on the PS3 itself, that would create huge demand for PS3s as home theater systems.
Lastly, beef up your online store. Copy iTune if you have to or add RSS and podcast aggregators. You don't have to do all the content yourself.
Come on Sony it's been pretty sad to see you flounder around.
Frank @ May 15th 2009 8:53AM
Considering that Sony's marketing has been one of the bigger gripes among gamers, I can only say that pushing it aggressively is going to result in a more aggressive backlash.
ChuckJ @ May 19th 2009 6:52PM
Face it, how many of you were SO sure that the PS3 would just start over powering everyone by now? Or at least easily handling the 360?
Many of you thought the PS3 would dominate early on let alone now. Yes, the PS3 will be successful, but as for it duplicating the PS2 era....not going to happen.
Maybe if the economy was in better shape, wed see a little bit better sales. Its like the election last year. The economy, strangely enough, went due south right before the election. When Obama's numbers were down. All of a sudden he surged.