08-19-2003, 10:00 AM
|
#25
|
|
MVP
|
Re: I\'M SICK OF THIS
According to the press release quoted below, ESPN and Sega need to be ashamed of themselves for the terrible, atrocious marketing efforts they have put forth. ESPN has teamed with Sega to produce their own brand of videogames, yet they continue to push Madden. That is stupid, backwards, and an open flagrant deviation from their own statements a few months ago...check out key exceprts below:
************************************************** *****
SEGA, Visual Concepts and ESPN introduce new ESPN Videogames Brand
Former "2K" Sports Series Gets a New Name, Enhanced ESPN Features and New Senior Vice President to Drive Strategy
NEW YORK - (June 18, 2003) - The leading sports games on the market are about to get even better with new features and branding from the most recognizable name in sports. SEGA's sports studio, Visual Concepts Entertainment, maker of the acclaimed '2K' sports game series, and ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, today announced at a press conference at the ESPN Zone, a deeper alliance and new branding for the former SEGA Sports "2K" sports videogame series which will now be called ESPN Videogames. Further reinforcing the brand's greatest benefits - ESPN integration and presentation - ESPN Videogames will continue to deliver some of the best sports videogames on the market.
"We've only scratched the surface with this relationship. The possibilities are endless for how we can continue to enhance the sports gaming experience with ESPN Videogames," said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Enterprises. "The new branding and further integration is just the first step, with so many more improvements and ground-breaking features to come."
Strategic, Innovative Marketing Push
With this closer alliance, Visual Concepts and ESPN will work intimately on all strategic marketing elements that will effectively convey the message about the brand and the line-up. Starting in August, consumers will see the ESPN Videogames marketing onslaught - starting with "ESPN NFL Football" - aimed at making sure that consumers nationwide know that ESPN Videogames makes some of the leading sports games in the business. By maximizing on-air integration of ESPN Videogames with ESPN programming or through promotional and event tie-ins such as the ESPN The Magazine National College Tailgate Tour and the ESPN National Truck Tour, this powerful combination of Visual Concepts and ESPN will further differentiate and support the new direction of the ESPN Videogames properties.
Overseeing marketing for ESPN Videogames will be Steven Raab, senior vice president of sports marketing for Visual Concepts. In this capacity, Raab will work closely with ESPN to set marketing strategy, overseeing all elements of advertising, promotions, communications and sports licensing. Formerly, Raab served as senior vice president of sports marketing and programming at Turner Broadcasting. There, he managed several of Turner's major properties including NASCAR, Major League Baseball and College Football.
"ESPN Videogames opens up a world of opportunity and new game play experiences for consumers," said Raab. "This brand is about fun, competition and a realistic sports gaming experience. We look forward to further driving home that message with consumers through our marketing and our unparalleled titles."
At the core of all the ESPN Videogames product launches this year will be an innovative, hard-hitting advertising campaign. Created by Wieden and Kennedy out of New York, the renowned agency that handled campaigns for major consumer brands including ESPN and Nike, the first of the new ESPN Videogames ads will kick off with ESPN NFL Football. The ads will focus on a compelling new feature that has never been seen before in a football videogame.
************************************************** ********
I feel everyone's pain who is shocked and awed by the complete and disgraceful lack of advertising for ESPN NFL Football - even on their own websites and stations. This is not just a permission to use the name, this is supposed to be an alliance. They promised some big advertising campaign, here it is near the end of August and all we've seen are 3.5 second commercials of the game. As far as marketing is concerned, ESPN and Sega are truly sloppy at best. Yet, they wonder why Madden sells. I contend if VC had the advertising money, they could blow Madden away. Instead we get a late launch preceded by one 3.2 second commercial. Perhaps Microsoft should buy VC. They would know how to support it. Heck, even Fever and Gameday advertise more.
|
|
|
THEY ARE JUST VIDEO GAMES. ESPN makes money from advertising on their channels. If EA wants to advertise on ESPN and has the money then ESPN is going to take it.
