Nintendo threw a party at its flagship in Rockefeller Center, co-sponsored by a slew of other companies promoting new products. All the usual suspects of a “NY event” were present: velvet ropes, guest lists, an exceedingly attractive crowd, free products, tv/film press, promise of celebrities, djs, etc. The environment was definitely interactive with lots of visual stimulation and hands-on engagement. Nintendo game players and stations were all over the venue. Nonetheless, I couldnt help but think that the whole event lacked something–and that ‘thing’ is the element of surprise. With new product promotions, a brand should induce excitement and I didn’t feel any of that. The whole event was simply too predicatable.
Nintendo’s party was the same sort of promo gig thats been happening for years and years. When is someone gonna do something new and spice things up a lil bit? With the available technology, brands have so much opportunity to do more engaging things! For example, Nintendo could invite guests to create their own characters/avatars upon entrance to party that can then be transfered to a particular video game, or even just a virtual space thats happening in real-time in conjunction to the party. This way, you can actually see yourself (or rather, a representation of yourself) on a large projection screen; it’s also another way to watch the party ‘fill-up’ with people. Kinda like a mini-version of Second Life (without the scandalous factor ;)
Anyway. . . point is, I hope to see more exciting promos happening out there soon. The End.
The Usual Suspects
Nintendo threw a party at its flagship in Rockefeller Center, co-sponsored by a slew of other companies promoting new products. All the usual suspects of a “NY event” were present: velvet ropes, guest lists, an exceedingly attractive crowd, free products, tv/film press, promise of celebrities, djs, etc. The environment was definitely interactive with lots of visual stimulation and hands-on engagement. Nintendo game players and stations were all over the venue. Nonetheless, I couldnt help but think that the whole event lacked something–and that ‘thing’ is the element of surprise. With new product promotions, a brand should induce excitement and I didn’t feel any of that. The whole event was simply too predicatable.
Nintendo’s party was the same sort of promo gig thats been happening for years and years. When is someone gonna do something new and spice things up a lil bit? With the available technology, brands have so much opportunity to do more engaging things! For example, Nintendo could invite guests to create their own characters/avatars upon entrance to party that can then be transfered to a particular video game, or even just a virtual space thats happening in real-time in conjunction to the party. This way, you can actually see yourself (or rather, a representation of yourself) on a large projection screen; it’s also another way to watch the party ‘fill-up’ with people. Kinda like a mini-version of Second Life (without the scandalous factor ;)
Anyway. . . point is, I hope to see more exciting promos happening out there soon. The End.
Check out some pics here.
Filed under: Adventures, Shrinkwrapped | Tagged: advertising, social commentary