Author Topic: Where the hell are the US Wii ads?! (Read 28971 times)

Smash_Brother · « **on:** November 06, 2006, 02:26:15 PM »

Ok, so the Japanese Wii commercials are out, but youtube doesn't yield any bona fide US/Canada/UK Wii commercials.

What gives?

Anyone seen a REAL Wii ad on TV? There are some fake US ones up on youtube but nothing I've seen looks like an actual ad.

Anyone? I'm starting to wonder if Nintendo doesn't believe that they don't need to spend money on advertising with the prehype they've already generated...

MaryJane · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:28:11 PM »

I'm keeping them hidden until the Wii releases.

No but seriously, the US is flooded with PS3 ads, and all I've seen of the Wii on TV is when a multiplatform game bears the insignia.
Seems Nintendo got almost everything right for the Wii, except marketing... again.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:31:13 PM »

Yeah, and I see plenty of DS ads so it's not like they forgot what advertising is...

Seriously, it's rapidly reaching the "sh*t or get off the pot" mark for Nintendo. Wii launches in 13 days and they could do nothing better than to ensure that the Wii does indeed hold its predicted title of "hottest xmas toy".

ginx619 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:31:23 PM »

Honestly, the intial shipments will sell to the hardcore whether they advertise or not.I think you'll see more as we get closer to Christmas but there's really no reason to advertise before the console releases.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:32:16 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: ginx619
Honestly, the intial shipments will sell to the hardcore whether they advertise or not.I think you'll see more as we get closer to Christmas but there's really no reason to advertise before the console releases.

I think building up a bit of launch hype is a good idea, though.

Were there ads before the GC launch? I can't remember...

Pittbboi · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:56:42 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: ginx619
Honestly, the intial shipments will sell to the hardcore whether they advertise or not.I think you'll see more as we get closer to Christmas but there's really no reason to advertise before the console releases.

I think the whole point of advertising is getting the product into the mind of the potential and desired consumer. Which, in Nintendo's, are people who probably don't even know the Wii exists yet.

Pittbboi · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:57:54 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pittbboi
Quote
Originally posted by: ginx619
Honestly, the intial shipments will sell to the hardcore whether they advertise or not.I think you'll see more as we get closer to Christmas but there's really no reason to advertise before the console releases.

I think the whole point of advertising is getting the product into the mind of the potential and desired consumer. Which, in Nintendo's case, are people who probably don't even know the Wii exists yet.

blackfootsteps · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:59:02 PM »

Geez those Japanese ads aren't all that inspiring, they have a very sterile feel to them.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:04:43 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: blackfootsteps
Geez those Japanese ads aren't all that inspiring, they have a very sterile feel to them.

THANK YOU!

Glad to know I am not the only one who thinks the JP ads are monotone. The idea itself is pretty good, and they do a really good job of showing off what the Wii can do, and most importantly, shows off game footage, but the narrator SUCKS ASS! Seriously, its like they hired Japanese Ben Stein for the voice over...

As for the commercials, SB, considering that we just GOT the demo units I wouldn't be surprised if they start advertising either this week or the next.

In fact, I see the newstory now...

"First Wii ads hit the airwaves!"

Cortez the Kiler · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:05:16 PM »

It's kind of funny that South Park is doing more advertising for the Wii than Nintendo.

wandering · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2006, 03:09:30 PM »

Quote
its like they hired Japanese Ben Stein for the voice over...

Ben Stein....that's actually not a bad idea. "With Wii you don't just play the game, you experience it. Wow."

Mikintosh · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:12:37 PM »

I have a feeling that Nintendo's holding off on major advertising until the Christmas season. The marketing team at Nintendo has a limited amount of money (probably not a small amount but still) and since they're guaranteed good sales for the few weeks after launch, why blow money then? Use the commercial money stategically.

Besides, the Wii's gotten a huge amount of buzz from the news, magazines, etc, so I'm sure they have pretty good penetration into the minds of those who can afford the Wii. I love TV ads but I know they're largely unneccessary to sell products (with the exception of stuff kids pester their parents for them to get, and the Wii's a lot pricier than an action figure anyway).

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:31:26 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Mikintosh
I have a feeling that Nintendo's holding off on major advertising until the Christmas season. The marketing team at Nintendo has a limited amount of money (probably not a small amount but still) and since they're guaranteed good sales for the few weeks after launch, why blow money then? Use the commercial money stategically.

Actually, Nintendo has assloads of cash after the $800 million in profit (that's post expenses) that the DS brought in for them.

Nintendo could bury the PS3 ads right now. I'm not sure why they aren't...

Then again, it's not like they have to blow all the hype for launch.

The best time they could likely send the advertising machine into full tilt is after the launch of both consoles when you just can't get a PS3 anymore.

Still, I do find no advertising a surprise...

Spak-Spang · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:33:47 PM »

Wait until after Launch. Nintendo doesn't like to advertise something you can't buy right then.

It actually pisses me off, and I am sure it does the same to many people.

What you are advertising a cool movie I can't see for a month...I want to see it now, but in a month I won't care. The same is true with gaming products. You can do teasers, but teasers really don't attract new audiences, but the crowd that already knows about the product. You can generate interest with a teaser, but once they see the product all interest can go away, because they were interested in that type of product to begin with. It is better to create advertising that explains the product and gets you interested...when you can buy system in the stores.

TerribleOne · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:42:56 PM »

Please... stop... just stop makin excuses as of why there r no commercials. Xmas, or hardcore blah blah... there should be ads out.. EVERYWHERE... buses, women's magazines, the back of grandpa's ensure box.. and most important.. TV tv TV... I keep seeing these PS3 commercials which suck.. but they're present

Arbok · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2006, 05:19:54 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Spak-Spang
What you are advertising a cool movie I can't see for a month...I want to see it now, but in a month I won't care.

Uh, yeah, no. A month is not a long time to wait, and advertising for most films begin several weeks before the film is released to build hype, while trailers will begin playing in theaters long before that as that is a core group that is most likely to see the product. I mean, really, if I saw a advert for something and really wanted it, I doubt a month's time would change that unless something better came along.

Anyway, ads for the Wii need to be out now, no excuses. They need to build up a reputation and position the console in the market. At the moment they are leaving almost all of the work up to word of mouth and hopeful media attention, which will work to attract those who would probably be already semi-interested, but will do little to affect "non-gamers". Also, for word of mouth to be really effective they need to at least get people talking about the console in the first place; something that ads, to create awarness, are there to do.

NWR_pap64 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2006, 05:36:22 PM »

Guys, even if its weird that Nintendo isn't advertising the Wii NOW it doesn't mean that they will...

Like I already stated, I wouldn't be surprised if they start advertising sometime next week. Even Nintendo knows that they NEED to advertise the Wii. We all have seen the measures taken by Nintendo so fars (ads, demo stations etc.), so the TV and print ads should follow suit.

The ads will come, trust me.

Ceric · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2006, 05:46:51 PM »

I thought I just share today that people who weren't really into games were talking about the Wii. Even going to the point that they consider it Dirt Cheap. I found that funny when around here the $250 price is a travesty.

Nintendo's never been the It's coming type of advertiser. I do see plenty of DS ads in different programs. There getting there core audience as it goes. After launch they might need to really ramp up. Though I doubt it even then. I think there being smart with there money at the approach they are taking.

Nephilim · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2006, 06:31:36 PM »

Australia has had wii ads for like a month now, but they are not from nintendo
but a jamster style pommy phone scam ad, but still get to see 5secs of wii footage yay

Blue Plant · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2006, 08:01:36 PM »

I'd much rather them save the TV spots for the holiday buying season (and after, of course).

DRJPDX · « **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2006, 08:46:51 PM »

Hi, new to your forum!

Nintendo probably has a very specific plan for when they want Wii to become popular. Right now in North America DS is selling like never before and is likely the most popular video game machine in the world because of it. The advertising is at full blast and people are gobbling them up. I think this Xmas DS numbers in the US will be astounding. We are a year behind Japan.

I was in Japan last year and I saw Nintendo advertising in full swing. It was Dec/Jan and the machine was on sell out everywhere. On the damn transit trains there were LCD monitors advertsing Brain Training 2. The TV spots were very similar to the current US TV spots. The hype for the machiine was huge

I believe they will hit hard with the Wii ads at the latest possible time. They've got the cash its all about timing.

Plugabugz · « **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2006, 09:14:37 PM »

When the BBC started advertising for Torchwood (spin off to Doctor Who), i only began to see it just over a week before it started.

It's likely they will push it as close as possible to release to create more OH MY GOODNESS IT'S OUT ALREADY hype.

Arbok · « **Reply #22 on:** November 06, 2006, 09:58:51 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: DRJPDX
I think this Xmas DS numbers in the US will be astounding. We are a year behind Japan.

Actually the US got the DS before Japan did by almost a month.

WuTangTurtle · « **Reply #23 on:** November 07, 2006, 12:57:12 AM »

I think what he means is sales trends, as in games and overall hardware dominance in Japan. For example Ouendan has been out in Japan for a heck of a long time and the US is only now about to get Elite Beat Agents, same goes for Children of Mana and a stack of other good games.

As for commercials maybe it is best Nintendo waits a week or two after the system release. Let me explain, Nintendo's Advertising is known for not promoting but out right killing a products chance at sales. Killing a products sales may be a bit overboard though. Just remember Super Mario Sunshine and the original Nintendogs commercials....

P.S. sorry for making you remember those commercials.

Rhoq · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2006, 03:26:34 AM »

I think the Wii advertising blitz will begin next week. Games are set to hit stores next Wednesday (November 15th) and I imagine that there will be TV spots (by Nintendo) to back it up.

I figure I'll hit GameStop during my lunch break on the 15th and buy the 4 Wii games that I was going to pick-up on the 19th (all 4 of them are scheduled to ship on the 14th) that way I'll only have to worry about finding the console in a store on launch day.

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Author Topic: Where the hell are the US Wii ads?! (Read 28971 times)