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It has been revealed that Nintendo of Europe have a marketing budget of 100 Million Euros. That's roughly £60 million, in 'real' money. ;-)
That's a little more than I was expecting. In the past marketing has not really been Nintendo Europes strong spot, though then again, what has?
Of course, marketing for the Gamecube has been going on for some time now to those that already have a GBA. In all of the Nintendo games is a promotional flyer, as such, which shows off the Gamecube, as it links to the GBA. This connectivity will surely increase sales, but only to those that already have a GBA.
What are NoE going to do to let everyone else know about their console?
I don't know how far £60 million would go, but here's what I'd do.
Ensure all majo stores have playable Gamecube pods. If people can see it, they're more likely to remember it. If it's just sitting on the shelves, next to a huge Microsoft display, and playable unit, it won't get much attention.
Advertising is essential. We need to see Gamecube commercials, and not just during the commercial break in Pokémon. In the USA Nintendo sponsored a number of MTV events, and MTV had a Gamecube countdown clock in the corner of the screen. If NoE did something similar awareness would go through the roof.
Magazine advertising is a good idea, and not just console magazines. Anywhere you might find a gamer, you should find an ad.
I think what would really get people interested in the Gamecube though, would be nationwide events. Pick a few sites in each country, and have a special event in a shopping mall there. Big demo screens, showing clips from the best games. Playable units. A Super Smash Bros: Melee competition. Give away little freebies, andmoney off vouchers for the console, or certain games if bought at launch.
In the USA they ran a 'What would you do for a Gamecube?' contest. The winner painted himself blue as a 'Pikmin' and ate insects. People here love something for nothing, and a similar contest across Europe would certainly generate interest.
The release of the Gamecube is timed perfectly for cross-promotional activities. How about free cinema tickets with Rogue Leader, Spiderman, and Resident Evil? Or vice versa, £5 off the game when you take your cinema stub in to any store selling the game.
What I don't want to see (or not see) is a minimal amount of TV advertising at times when no one will see it, and the Gamecube hidden away in the corner of stores. It's an amazing product, at a great price. If I were marketing it, I'd shout it from the rooftops, and make sure people knew about it. Only then would I give them the push to make them want one.
That's a little more than I was expecting. In the past marketing has not really been Nintendo Europes strong spot, though then again, what has?
Of course, marketing for the Gamecube has been going on for some time now to those that already have a GBA. In all of the Nintendo games is a promotional flyer, as such, which shows off the Gamecube, as it links to the GBA. This connectivity will surely increase sales, but only to those that already have a GBA.
What are NoE going to do to let everyone else know about their console?
I don't know how far £60 million would go, but here's what I'd do.
Ensure all majo stores have playable Gamecube pods. If people can see it, they're more likely to remember it. If it's just sitting on the shelves, next to a huge Microsoft display, and playable unit, it won't get much attention.
Advertising is essential. We need to see Gamecube commercials, and not just during the commercial break in Pokémon. In the USA Nintendo sponsored a number of MTV events, and MTV had a Gamecube countdown clock in the corner of the screen. If NoE did something similar awareness would go through the roof.
Magazine advertising is a good idea, and not just console magazines. Anywhere you might find a gamer, you should find an ad.
I think what would really get people interested in the Gamecube though, would be nationwide events. Pick a few sites in each country, and have a special event in a shopping mall there. Big demo screens, showing clips from the best games. Playable units. A Super Smash Bros: Melee competition. Give away little freebies, andmoney off vouchers for the console, or certain games if bought at launch.
In the USA they ran a 'What would you do for a Gamecube?' contest. The winner painted himself blue as a 'Pikmin' and ate insects. People here love something for nothing, and a similar contest across Europe would certainly generate interest.
The release of the Gamecube is timed perfectly for cross-promotional activities. How about free cinema tickets with Rogue Leader, Spiderman, and Resident Evil? Or vice versa, £5 off the game when you take your cinema stub in to any store selling the game.
What I don't want to see (or not see) is a minimal amount of TV advertising at times when no one will see it, and the Gamecube hidden away in the corner of stores. It's an amazing product, at a great price. If I were marketing it, I'd shout it from the rooftops, and make sure people knew about it. Only then would I give them the push to make them want one.
Well, I dunno Dragon... certainly ninty are concentrating on the hardcore gamers (who buy highre nos of games than the rest), and kids.
I did say that they will try to use the low price to lure intelligent casual gamers into buying the console, but I don't think people would buy the console INSTEAD of a PS2- rather as a second console.
Anyway, getting back to another point..
Remember, NOE ONLY really support the UK, France, Germany and Spain... those are the only places they advertise (maybe Australia??? or is that NOJ?)
Sonic
I did say that they will try to use the low price to lure intelligent casual gamers into buying the console, but I don't think people would buy the console INSTEAD of a PS2- rather as a second console.
Anyway, getting back to another point..
Remember, NOE ONLY really support the UK, France, Germany and Spain... those are the only places they advertise (maybe Australia??? or is that NOJ?)
Sonic
===SONICRAV---> wrote:
But Nintendo's strondest selling point has always been their
> word-of-mouth and customer loyalty. In all honesty, Nintendo aren't too bothered
> if they don't get many massmarket gamers to buy the console. Thier market is
> hardcore gamers, who buy a highly disproportionate number of gamers compared to
> casual gamers, and kids, who the console has cornered!
Sonic
I disagree. I think Ninty are very bothered about getting to the mainstream market. That is why they made the price as it is, to get mainstreamers into Ninty again. And they made the console easy to develop for, so morepeople could develop games for it. That is an attempt to broaden the range of titles available, and they have realised following the PS1 humiliation that Joe Average likes to see lots of games next to a console to feel secure about their purchase.
But Nintendo's strondest selling point has always been their
> word-of-mouth and customer loyalty. In all honesty, Nintendo aren't too bothered
> if they don't get many massmarket gamers to buy the console. Thier market is
> hardcore gamers, who buy a highly disproportionate number of gamers compared to
> casual gamers, and kids, who the console has cornered!
Sonic
I disagree. I think Ninty are very bothered about getting to the mainstream market. That is why they made the price as it is, to get mainstreamers into Ninty again. And they made the console easy to develop for, so morepeople could develop games for it. That is an attempt to broaden the range of titles available, and they have realised following the PS1 humiliation that Joe Average likes to see lots of games next to a console to feel secure about their purchase.
The more Nintendo spend on the budget, the more they have to rely on high sales.
I think that Nintendo are going for a more efficient strategy. Instead of trying to buy the market, their aim is to make a reasonable profit on fewer sales meaning they don't need own the market in order to get a decent profit.
Microsoft are spending so much on promoting and marketing, even if they sell more Xbox than Gamecubes, their profits probably won't be as high as Nintendo's.
It also means that Nintendo are going for the most cost effective strategies possible, like releasing Rogue Leader to coincide with the new Star Wars film and they'll probably be encouraging their GBA user base to get a Cube with link ups and the like...
I think that Nintendo are going for a more efficient strategy. Instead of trying to buy the market, their aim is to make a reasonable profit on fewer sales meaning they don't need own the market in order to get a decent profit.
Microsoft are spending so much on promoting and marketing, even if they sell more Xbox than Gamecubes, their profits probably won't be as high as Nintendo's.
It also means that Nintendo are going for the most cost effective strategies possible, like releasing Rogue Leader to coincide with the new Star Wars film and they'll probably be encouraging their GBA user base to get a Cube with link ups and the like...
If Nintendo shouts about the price, it'll get absolutely blasted. People will actually think of the machine as low quality. The only way it'll get away with shouting about the price is if Sony drops the PS2 to about £169 (Rumoured).
If I were Nintendo I'd plug the games as much as possible. I'd hype up Mario and Zelda, show clips of the more advanced games like Starfox and Metroid. I'd have a 2 second plug for Mario Kart - because everyone loves Mario Kart!
The price will be a factor, and they should show the SRP at the bottom of the screen, but if they go on about how cheap it is, people will get a bit sceptical.
If the 8/3 PS2 price drop is true - then you'll be able to get a 'PS2 and MGS2' AND a 'Cube and Luigi' for little more than you could get an X-Box, with the DVD thingy and HALO: Combat Evolved!
Which would you rather have?! Stupid Question?!
I've got a good feeling for gaming in 2002 - It's in my bones... it's gonna be good.
If I were Nintendo I'd plug the games as much as possible. I'd hype up Mario and Zelda, show clips of the more advanced games like Starfox and Metroid. I'd have a 2 second plug for Mario Kart - because everyone loves Mario Kart!
The price will be a factor, and they should show the SRP at the bottom of the screen, but if they go on about how cheap it is, people will get a bit sceptical.
If the 8/3 PS2 price drop is true - then you'll be able to get a 'PS2 and MGS2' AND a 'Cube and Luigi' for little more than you could get an X-Box, with the DVD thingy and HALO: Combat Evolved!
Which would you rather have?! Stupid Question?!
I've got a good feeling for gaming in 2002 - It's in my bones... it's gonna be good.
I don't think £60million is actually that much. Think about it:
How many countries come under NoE? Then how much will it cost to put a demo pod in 1 in 5 games stores across the country?
Add to that how much it would cost to sponsor major events, and how much it would cost to put adverts on prime time TV.
Also, events in shopping centres etc can take a lot of planning, so they really need to get on with it now. Another thing that would take a while would be sorting out the money off vouchers for film tie in games, Resident Evil, Star Wars etc.
I don't think Nintendo have allocated enough money, personally.
How many countries come under NoE? Then how much will it cost to put a demo pod in 1 in 5 games stores across the country?
Add to that how much it would cost to sponsor major events, and how much it would cost to put adverts on prime time TV.
Also, events in shopping centres etc can take a lot of planning, so they really need to get on with it now. Another thing that would take a while would be sorting out the money off vouchers for film tie in games, Resident Evil, Star Wars etc.
I don't think Nintendo have allocated enough money, personally.
We don't need that many plumbers! Oh well. At least they can't complain of low pay now.
*whips plumber in dungarees and red hat with a whip*
"Get back to work, you lousy bum!"
"Issa nota my fault! You give me-a no money!"
*whips plumber in dungarees and red hat with a whip*
"Get back to work, you lousy bum!"
"Issa nota my fault! You give me-a no money!"
Well, the console's main audience is hardcore gamers, who'll buy it regardless of advertising, young gamers- who, thanks to the price of the console, will be swallowed by Ninty- and intelligent gamers who may see the GC as a cheap second console to their PS2.
Of course, these last two catagories can only be hit by advertising.
Firstly, the kids market. Well, I'd guess that Ninty will sponsor kids programs on TV, giving them GCs for prizes on competitions and the like. Ninty famously had a Pokemon battle ship sail down the Thames on the Pokemon Gold release day- so maybe some similar launch stunts will go down well!
As for the older market- how about advertising the exlusive Res Evil series IN THE TRAILERS FOR THE FILM. After all, I think the games and films are co-inciding.
But Nintendo's strondest selling point has always been their word-of-mouth and customer loyalty. In all honesty, Nintendo aren't too bothered if they don't get many massmarket gamers to buy the console. Thier market is hardcore gamers, who buy a highly disproportionate number of gamers compared to casual gamers, and kids, who the console has cornered!
Sonic
Of course, these last two catagories can only be hit by advertising.
Firstly, the kids market. Well, I'd guess that Ninty will sponsor kids programs on TV, giving them GCs for prizes on competitions and the like. Ninty famously had a Pokemon battle ship sail down the Thames on the Pokemon Gold release day- so maybe some similar launch stunts will go down well!
As for the older market- how about advertising the exlusive Res Evil series IN THE TRAILERS FOR THE FILM. After all, I think the games and films are co-inciding.
But Nintendo's strondest selling point has always been their word-of-mouth and customer loyalty. In all honesty, Nintendo aren't too bothered if they don't get many massmarket gamers to buy the console. Thier market is hardcore gamers, who buy a highly disproportionate number of gamers compared to casual gamers, and kids, who the console has cornered!
Sonic
Thats a lot mof midgets dressed as mushrooms for the launch party then.
It has been revealed that Nintendo of Europe have a marketing budget of 100 Million Euros. That's roughly £60 million, in 'real' money. ;-)
That's a little more than I was expecting. In the past marketing has not really been Nintendo Europes strong spot, though then again, what has?
Of course, marketing for the Gamecube has been going on for some time now to those that already have a GBA. In all of the Nintendo games is a promotional flyer, as such, which shows off the Gamecube, as it links to the GBA. This connectivity will surely increase sales, but only to those that already have a GBA.
What are NoE going to do to let everyone else know about their console?
I don't know how far £60 million would go, but here's what I'd do.
Ensure all majo stores have playable Gamecube pods. If people can see it, they're more likely to remember it. If it's just sitting on the shelves, next to a huge Microsoft display, and playable unit, it won't get much attention.
Advertising is essential. We need to see Gamecube commercials, and not just during the commercial break in Pokémon. In the USA Nintendo sponsored a number of MTV events, and MTV had a Gamecube countdown clock in the corner of the screen. If NoE did something similar awareness would go through the roof.
Magazine advertising is a good idea, and not just console magazines. Anywhere you might find a gamer, you should find an ad.
I think what would really get people interested in the Gamecube though, would be nationwide events. Pick a few sites in each country, and have a special event in a shopping mall there. Big demo screens, showing clips from the best games. Playable units. A Super Smash Bros: Melee competition. Give away little freebies, andmoney off vouchers for the console, or certain games if bought at launch.
In the USA they ran a 'What would you do for a Gamecube?' contest. The winner painted himself blue as a 'Pikmin' and ate insects. People here love something for nothing, and a similar contest across Europe would certainly generate interest.
The release of the Gamecube is timed perfectly for cross-promotional activities. How about free cinema tickets with Rogue Leader, Spiderman, and Resident Evil? Or vice versa, £5 off the game when you take your cinema stub in to any store selling the game.
What I don't want to see (or not see) is a minimal amount of TV advertising at times when no one will see it, and the Gamecube hidden away in the corner of stores. It's an amazing product, at a great price. If I were marketing it, I'd shout it from the rooftops, and make sure people knew about it. Only then would I give them the push to make them want one.
That's a little more than I was expecting. In the past marketing has not really been Nintendo Europes strong spot, though then again, what has?
Of course, marketing for the Gamecube has been going on for some time now to those that already have a GBA. In all of the Nintendo games is a promotional flyer, as such, which shows off the Gamecube, as it links to the GBA. This connectivity will surely increase sales, but only to those that already have a GBA.
What are NoE going to do to let everyone else know about their console?
I don't know how far £60 million would go, but here's what I'd do.
Ensure all majo stores have playable Gamecube pods. If people can see it, they're more likely to remember it. If it's just sitting on the shelves, next to a huge Microsoft display, and playable unit, it won't get much attention.
Advertising is essential. We need to see Gamecube commercials, and not just during the commercial break in Pokémon. In the USA Nintendo sponsored a number of MTV events, and MTV had a Gamecube countdown clock in the corner of the screen. If NoE did something similar awareness would go through the roof.
Magazine advertising is a good idea, and not just console magazines. Anywhere you might find a gamer, you should find an ad.
I think what would really get people interested in the Gamecube though, would be nationwide events. Pick a few sites in each country, and have a special event in a shopping mall there. Big demo screens, showing clips from the best games. Playable units. A Super Smash Bros: Melee competition. Give away little freebies, andmoney off vouchers for the console, or certain games if bought at launch.
In the USA they ran a 'What would you do for a Gamecube?' contest. The winner painted himself blue as a 'Pikmin' and ate insects. People here love something for nothing, and a similar contest across Europe would certainly generate interest.
The release of the Gamecube is timed perfectly for cross-promotional activities. How about free cinema tickets with Rogue Leader, Spiderman, and Resident Evil? Or vice versa, £5 off the game when you take your cinema stub in to any store selling the game.
What I don't want to see (or not see) is a minimal amount of TV advertising at times when no one will see it, and the Gamecube hidden away in the corner of stores. It's an amazing product, at a great price. If I were marketing it, I'd shout it from the rooftops, and make sure people knew about it. Only then would I give them the push to make them want one.