Advertisement

Sony OLED TV ad “Earth Rising” is beautiful

by Sohrab Osati | May 5, 2017 | 7 comments

Here’s something I don’t often get to say – Sony released an ad that’s simple and mesmerizing. Even though the price for the A1E OLED puts it out of range for most consumers, it’s important that this TV could have the right kind of flair and pizzazz to make people reconsider the brand, even if what they end up purchasing is a different TV like the X940E. A product halo affect is something that shouldn’t be underestimated and till now, even if Sony has had a worthy product, they haven’t been good at telling people about it.

Now of course a single ad released online isn’t suddenly going to drive massive mindshare towards Sony, nor the A1E but it’s a good sign and a beautiful ad. For those playing at home, make sure you change the video setting to 4K, sit back, and enjoy.

Sony’s Promotional Video on Xperia XZ’s Camera is as Terrible As You’d Expect

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 2, 2016 | 4 comments

I’ve never been shy about how lacking I find Sony’s ability to put together a compelling video. After all, Sony is the parent company of of PlayStation which has the pulse of the youth and owner of a small film studio called Sony Pictures. Surely they can put together something better than their maligned Xperia XA ad where a couple were engaged on a bus – but apparently not.

Sony Xperia XA Ad – It’s Like Getting an Engagement Ring? On a Bus…?

by Sohrab Osati | May 4, 2016 | 2 comments

I’ve often argued that one of the biggest challenges facing Sony is their lack of advertisement and that they make some fantastic hardware, only to forget to tell others that it exists. The launch of the upcoming Xperia X family, which consists of the Xperia X, XA, and XA Performance, will be a pinnacle moment for the company. Not only is the new lineup here to replace the Z5 family, but it’s also the first time Sony’s had a chance to build a new phone from the ground up in some time. Gone are any ties to a predecessor as engineers were allowed to craft something from scratch and hopefully set the foundation for Sony Mobile going forward.

Luckily for us, Sony has heard the cry and put together an ad for the Xperia XA. Unlike other videos we’ve posted which are meant to boast a device’s technical prowess, this 30 second spot is a full on ad – but one that frankly makes me yearn for the good old days when Sony didn’t make ads for their devices. I simply cannot tell you how terrible and dry this ad is. It’s as if everybody got together in a board room, somebody asked “what makes people feel touchy wutchy” and somebody yelled out “a engagement!” because they were just engaged, and the meeting was adjourned. From there, the ad team put together the most empty shelled take on engagements while shoving a product in there to sell. What was ultimately created was the ad you’ll soon see.

I’m reminded of a scene from the upcoming Ghostbusters trailer (which is from Sony Pictures) where Leslie Jones is forced to slap a ghost out of Melissa McCarthy, yelling “the power of pain compels you.” It’s just that Sony is Melissa and I’m Leslie.

I cannot tell you by how much this ad misses the mark by feeling emotionless, clunky, and dry. Oh yea, and there is something about a phone in it too. The Sony Xperia XA ad is after the jump.

Fred, an Engineer at Sony Mobile, Wants You to Buy an Xperia Z5 – He’s Willing to Dance & Yell For It

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 9, 2016 | 10 comments

Sony Mobile wants you to buy an Xperia Z5 or Xperia Z5 Compact in the US. Sure it has no fingerprint sensor or carrier support but that’s ok and Fred is here to tell you why. I see what Sony is going for in their nearly two minute video, a low budget marketing piece with ‘cool guy’ Fred who is smart, but yells at random things like YouTubers do, but man, if this is what Sony’s marketing has in mind for the US, expect their nonexistent marketshare to further disappear.

The video is after the jump, but consider yourself warned.

Sony Uses Large Text to Promote a7R II Camera

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 5, 2016 | 0 comments

Sometimes you just need to use all capital letters with a massive font size to get your point across. What’s funny is that the more I watch the short promo for the Sony a7R II, the more I like it. At first, it comes off a bit strong or pompous with large text flying on the screen but the reality of it is that an ad like this is exactly what Sony needs.

Not that they are actually running this ad on TV but what the piece does brilliantly and unapologetically is get to the point. What makes this camera worthy? Here are a few points to note. If I had to fault the short piece on anything, it’s that there is more time spent with words on the screen then actual results from what the camera is capable of outputting. Side note, the ad has been viewed nearly 5.5 million times!

‘Gran Turismo Sport’ Trailer Fails to Thrill

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 4, 2016 | 5 comments

Gran Turismo games have always been one of the staples of PlayStation in graphics and gameplay. Having been on the system since PSone, Gran Turismo, developed by Polyphony Digital, is one of those rare franchises that cannot be simply recreated despite the best effort of other studios. From the depth of tracks and cars to the smallest of details when tuning your car, Gran Turismo, especially with a proper seat and steering wheel, is likely the closest most of us will ever get to taking an exotic (or Mazda Miata) on the race tracks.

Apparently announced during Paris Game Week (which I completely missed since I was too busy getting married), Gran Turismo Sport is the latest iteration of the franchise that will arrive on PS4 sometime in 2016. Sadly, from what should have been an easy trailer to nail, we’re left with an awkward piece that fails to thrill and opts to show us a parked Mazda Miata and its interior.

More, including the trailer after the jump.

Behind the Scenes of ‘The Wonderful Life of a PS4 Player’ Ad

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 10, 2015 | 0 comments

A month or so ago, Sony released a cheeky ad in Europe dubbed ‘The Wonderful Life of a PS4 Player’ which featured a ton of PlayStation characters, dancing, and wonderful visuals. I’m not a huge fan of the ad as Sony’s had similar ad campaigns in the past. While wonderful for hardcore gamers catching all the references that are being lobbed at them, I’m not sure it does much to sell the console. Then again, with how well things are going for PS4, maybe Sony doesn’t need to push the console as much as keep the fanbase happy with content that’s very much geared at them.

The ad:

Whether you like the ad or not, after the jump, you’ll find a behind the scenes video on how the ad was constructed which is quite fascinating.

Sony Releases new PS4 ‘Black Friday – Best Place To Play 2015’ Ad

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 26, 2015 | 0 comments

To kick off Thanksgiving and show why PlayStation continues to be the best place to game, Sony has released a new PS4 ad. Dubbed ‘Black Friday – Best Place to Play 2015,’ the new ad emphasis on a exclusives like Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and 3rd party titles that offer something more on PlayStation like Star Wars Battlefront, Destiny, and Call of Dusty: Black Ops 3.

Finally Sony points out the new $299 price tag which is valid till the 30th. It was just revealed that Star Wars Battlefield has more players on PS4 than on Xbox One and PC Combined. PS4 also just crossed the 30 million units sold marker, owning more than 50% of the market. You can say things are going well for Sony on the gaming front.

Now mobile, that’s a different story. Ad can be found after the jump.

Sony Offers More Details on ‘Made for Bond’ Campaign

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 24, 2015 | 0 comments

To promote their soon-to-be-released Xperia Z5 flagship family, Sony is tapping into their film roots with a ‘Made for Bond’ campaign. For those not aware, Spectre, the fourth 007 flick with Daniel Craig at the helm is produced by none other than Sony Pictures which makes for a more lucrative cross promotion.

Last week, I wasn’t too kind on the ‘short film’ styled ad which features actress Naomie Harris, who plays Moneypenny. I called the piece a bit tone deaf and I’m not sure I’m ready to change my thoughts on it (though I’d love to hear yours). Now, Sony is pulling back the curtain on the ad which was shot on Sony’s F65 professional 4K cinema camera.

After the jump, more information about the cinematic ad and its close roots to the Bond franchise with comments from Sony CEO Kaz Hirai.

Sony Xperia Z5 is “Made for Bond” or Something

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 16, 2015 | 0 comments

Long before the Xperia Z5 family was unveiled, there were rumors of the next flagship Sony smartphone appearing in Spectre, the upcoming James Bond film. With the phones having now been unveiled, Sony Mobile is running an advertisement campaign with the slogan “Made for Bond.”

After the jump, let’s talk about the 1 minute ad which can also be found there.

Sony Partners with UEFA to Promote Xperia Brand

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 13, 2015 | 1 comment

I’ve discussed to death the lack of marketing from Sony and have always said that “Sony is one good marketing campaign away from success,” something that I still stand by. Though Sony software continues to linger behind its competitors in mobile and electronics, its hardware continues to be one of the best. This is especially apparent in their 2015 fleet of 4K televisions, receivers, and sound bars.

With mobile, Sony is once again dipping its toes in mass marketing by partnering with UEFA through their 2017/2018 season. Depending on the success, Sony can extend their partnership with the mega soccer football league even further. While not popular in the States, the UEFA championship outside of the World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events with millions tuning in and Sony is taking advantage of that by plastering their name and the Xperia brand all over it.

This is a welcome change and a good move for Sony. Popular throughout the world, UEFA is most popular in Europe (where its held) which also happens to be Sony Mobiles strongest territory. This makes for a great match but perhaps Sony is missing the point.

Leaked Sony 4K TV Ad; Is Sony Ready For a Full Marketing Campaign?

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 13, 2015 | 9 comments

Thanks to an anonymous tipster who sent us the above video, we may have our very first look at a proper marketing campaign from Sony for their 4K lineup. As you can see from the 30 second ad, Sony is highlighting their ludicrously thin X900C and X910C 4K TV. What strikes me beyond that we’re finally getting a Sony ad is how beautiful the commercial is. Unlike past Sony commercials which at times are too artsy and lose the message or too wordy and try to over sell what the device is, this ad is brilliantly simple. No voiceover, no talk about specs, and certainly not all over the place. Instead the ad focuses on one of the biggest selling points of the X900C line, their thinness.

A few more thoughts after the jump.

Sony’s Underwater Xperia Aquatech Store Revealed in Pictures

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 10, 2014 | 0 comments

While an interesting marketing blitz, Sony’s underwater Xperia Aquatech store never quite made sense to us. You can read our full take on why Sony could have better spent their marketing budget. Still, seeing how we have no sway at Sony, the stores opening has come and gone as it was only open for three days. Thanks to those who attend and their eagerness to share photos on Twitter, we’ve been able to get a better feel of the store and the experience it brought with it. While not as futuristic looking as depicted in the concepts, the event seems to have had plenty of flair. Now lets hope those select customers, VIP’s, and members of the media who attended will be able to share their experience with others and convince a few to buy some Xperia devices which of course is the whole point of the event.

After the jump, plenty of pictures await you.

Sony’s Underwater Xperia Aquatech Store Debuts Today, Only Open for Three Days

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 3, 2014 | 0 comments

Starting today, select customers, VIPs, and members of the press can experience the Sony underwater Xperia Aquatech store. Located at The World Islands off the coast of Dubai, the store (sitting 4 meters underwater) is designed to drive home that Sony’s Xperia Z lineup of tablets and smartphones are waterproof. Sony hopes that, beyond wowing select customers, their underwater store also scores big with social media and has created the following hashtag (#XperiaAquatech) to help promote the event. Currently the price of the publicity stunt (which is what this really is) has yet to be and likely won’t be disclosed. Of course it’s not like Sony is creating this unique experience in what’s already a remote country with an small population and would severely limit the days its available versus just running a traditional marketing campaign on TV, like Apple, which has proven to be effective.

This just in; the Sony underwater Xperia Aquatech store will only be open for three days. Well ok…let’s ~~rant~~ talk after the jump.

New Details Emerge from Sony’s Underwater Xperia Aquatech Store

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 2, 2014 | 0 comments

We’d previously reported on Sony’s ~~ludicrous~~ ~~innovative~~ ludicrous plan on creating an underwater store in Dubai. The ‘Xperia Aquatech’ store, according to Rüediger Odenbac, Vice President of Sony Mobile Middle East and Africa, will allow select customers and VIPs to

be able to stand on the seabed and breathe perfectly normally

while of course experiencing, playing, and hopefully purchasing Sony Mobile products. Sony has gone to great lengths to make their entire mobile flagship series (read Xperia Z) waterproof and they hope that the Xperia Aquatech store can show that. Now new details have emerged from the store that will be 4 meters below the surface. More details and another concept shot after the jump.