Shake that tree, shake it and watch the Nintendo executives fall out and everything end up like people
said it would. The latest person in the Nintendo executive
culling is Beth Llewelyn, senior director of corporate communications at Nintendo of America, as she officially resigned today. Not only that, but Golin Harris' Julia Roether, guru of Nintendo's PR company in the States, also peaced-out. That sound you hear is Nintendo's PR department running around without a head. We now wait to hear Perrin Kaplan's
exit cue.
Although some less-than-charitable things can be said about the way Nintendo's PR was run up to this point, it could simply be the same issues as Sony had to deal with taking orders from Japan. Sony of America was starting to turn things around with Dave Karraker, but then he
left after less than a year (we really miss Dave). We now wait and see who the replacements are. Will it be business as usual, or will Nintendo's PR alter dramatically?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ska Oreo @ Sep 26th 2007 7:05PM
And somehow this will be related to Nintendo not caring about the hardcore gamers.
Mr Khan @ Sep 26th 2007 7:11PM
I've felt that Nintendo's been doing wonders with PR, i mean they STILL retain the image of the friendly company and scrappy underdog while simultaneously kicking ass and exuding their share of corporate sleaze
If that isn't PR victory, i don't know what is
ThornedVenom @ Sep 27th 2007 2:50AM
iPod
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 26th 2007 7:14PM
They probably struck it rich with stock options and didn't feel like getting bitched at by the HQ for reports of wii's being sighted on store shelves recently.
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 26th 2007 8:38PM
Which is more fun?
1. Guiding a cannon ball toward an oncoming catapult to hit its week point for MASSIVE DAMAGE(or miss to still witness a glorious explosion)with the SIXAXIS?
2. Flick your wrist with legless, armless weeble wobbles?
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 26th 2007 8:40PM
Now replies go above the person replied to. The above post was to reply to UKICKMYDOG.
Shadow El ( NDF - Zola Ring ) @ Sep 26th 2007 10:16PM
Which would you rather do?
1) Point, shoot, pull levers, and grapple enemies
or...
2) Slowwwwwwlyyyyyy turn the controller to steer a dragon?
Did I catch you off guard by comparing "killer apps"? (In quotes because one sucks.)
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 26th 2007 10:36PM
I didn't mention LAIR. Why did you?
THe wii has 20 titles rated the same or below LAIR. THE PS3 has 7 including LAIR on Metacritic.
You were trying to make a point?
Shadow El ( NDF - Zola Ring ) @ Sep 27th 2007 6:58AM
Yes, because Lair was supposed to be one of the PS3's big killer apps, as was Heavenly Sword, which is too short to be enjoyable. Meanwhile, the Wii has Metroid Prime 3 and Dewy's Adventure (not exactly a killer app, but incredibly fun nonetheless), and 360 has Bioshock and Halo 3.
And you mentioned Wii Sports of all things? That's a pack-in game. And for the record, I find the control scheme for Excite Truck better than that of Motorstorm.
Matt B (SDF ) @ Sep 27th 2007 9:45AM
"HS is too short to be enjoyable.."
That is the dumbest thing I've ever read. How long did it take you to beat it? Or are you just going by what others have said? Huh sheep?
ukickmydog (NDF - Earth) @ Sep 26th 2007 7:18PM
still sells better than ps3, nuff said
zwarrior @ Sep 26th 2007 7:50PM
Good. NOJ and NOE's campaigns have put NOA to shame for years. Some people had to go if their best ad for wii is "we would like to play"
blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 26th 2007 7:51PM
they don't even need PR anymore, the public hypes about the wii so much
Majortom1981 @ Sep 26th 2007 7:52PM
I say good riddence. There marketing department stinks. Super Smash Bros and wii fit should have ads all over the place. Super Smash bros by itself has the capability to sell as many copies as halo 3 does but it has to have some kind of marketing .
I hope nintendo actually uses this opertunity to hire a better marketing department.Its sorely needed.
mcatrage @ Sep 26th 2007 9:14PM
Nintendo doesn't have the attach rate that Microsoft enjoys.
Eligio J Rosa @ Sep 26th 2007 7:52PM
"And somehow this will be related to Nintendo not caring about the hardcore gamers."
Are you serious?
Ska Oreo @ Sep 26th 2007 8:04PM
sadly, I am.
Eligio J Rosa @ Sep 26th 2007 9:28PM
Then your a fool.
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 26th 2007 11:56PM
You must be new to Joystiq, then.
Korova @ Sep 27th 2007 6:49AM
sammy, that's obnoxious.
That made sense to me because there was a lot of criticism about MP3 marketing or complete lack thereof. And perhaps the low attach rate is the problem here.
These are old school ad execs without the skill set to market to Nintendo's new install base mix, so they are getting a new team.
I would expect the new marketing philosophy to be oriented toward making non-traditional gamers hard core - i.e. making them think about gaming more than once a week.
As for the hardcore base, I dont know what they could do
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 26th 2007 7:55PM
I don't think Nintendo's going to hire any replacements. I think Reggie's desk is just getting longer and longer and eating all the neighboring offices as he gets more powerful.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 26th 2007 7:58PM
P.S. His desk keeps growing to make room for all the names he's taken.
chris furniss @ Sep 26th 2007 8:09PM
I have been dealing with Nintendo PR for over 5 years, and they really need the re-organization. I am looking forward to see how they are proceeding from here.
Guybrush Threepwood (Sega Defense Force - Infallibility Ring) @ Sep 26th 2007 8:17PM
This is directly related to Nintendo not caring about the hardcore gamers.
Moofree @ Sep 26th 2007 8:41PM
They should just run those crazy japanese video game ads here. With the same crazy japanese voiceovers (and subtitles).
Phase out the American marketing department altogether.
That would never happen, though. :(
Booxatron @ Sep 27th 2007 11:23AM
Your Klaymen avatar wins the internet and my heart.
playwhutyalike @ Sep 26th 2007 9:14PM
Can you see why they are all leaving? They need to sell more units people! If only people weren't so embarrassed to buy the product when they need it....wait a minute...Are we talking about crab shampoo?
My bad.
Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2007 9:21PM
Nintendo wants more of a presence around the nation(thus not having to keep flying developers out to Redmond), so them moving key parts to other places would help in that.
Sadly, when you been in one location for all of your companies existence, you are going to lose some people who don't want to, or can't, move.
So yeah, don't be surprise to hear one day Nintendo sells there land to Microsoft....
Zodiak @ Sep 26th 2007 9:22PM
just as long as Reggie stays lol.
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Sep 26th 2007 11:58PM
"Although some less-than-charitable things can be said about the way Nintendo's PR was run up to this point, "
Like what? The only major gaffe they've committed, that I can think of, is saying, "At least no one got shot" that one time.
Other than that, Nintendo's PR has been pretty on the ball and non-dickish
Spiza @ Sep 27th 2007 2:12AM
I want to see a return of the glory days with Sega vs Nintendo. Super Nintendo vs genesis. Hey, if beer companies like Miller and Budweiser can do it these days, why not console companies.
Ska Oreo @ Sep 27th 2007 3:16PM
Mhm. That war was pretty fucking awesome!! Now we get this, a bunch of companies calling each other out and fanboys bitching at each other.