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[mashoutposse]

It would've been much better if she was embracing him behind the head or something.

Eh, it's racist, but it's obviously what they were going for. It's offensive as-is.

 

[Y2Kev]

:lol :lol

 

[cvxfreak]

It's an interesting ad, but it's definitely not in good taste.

P.S. finally know the origin of Amir0x's avatar from last year.

 

[loosus]

They should leave up the ad for a month, see who gets riled up, and then ship these morons to some island country. It's a good way to weed out the weirdos.

 

[Lord Error]

The other side of the wall was not photographed?

 

[cvxfreak]

Is that still a guy then?

 

[soundwave05]

:lol Sony are dumbasses these days when it comes to marketing.

I mean, seriously, W .... T ...... F. :lol

 

[Ranger X]

So many times in the thread i've read "not in good taste".
You all sound fact when "having taste" is so subjective. There's so many intricacies in any expression mediums, styles of presentations, styles of humors, stereotypes and urban legends, myths and other stuff to play with.
This ad seems pretty humoristic to me and his actually glancing at our "bad past". Humans needs to look at themselves and laugh sometimes. The white girl wants the control there (impresonnating the white PSP) like they want the attention of the black girl and yes in the mean of taking over. The ad wants you to feel like the white PSP is the new shit and it taking over. Also they wanted to have some provocative touch described here in the violence of the pose.
Nothing racist, well done ad that is still in the "good taste" department imo. "Good taste" does not = "politically correct". Some people outta here should really switch off their racist chip off and start doing something for the harmony of the people around them, stop making clans and forgive what their grand fathers did to their other grand fathers. Or else there will always be racism and shit going on everywhere. (i don't mean you necessarily don't mind about racism in real life or that you do nothing for it in real life here, i don't know you all personnally. I'm obviously having a general statement there)

 

[SolidSnakex]

Is that still a guy then?

It's a crossdresser. Really though it did look like a dude in the original photograph. In the one Marco posted its clearly a chick.

 

[Lord Error]

This ad aside, I absolutely can't believe that something that looks like a floating alien octopus in LocoRoco is seen as a negative portrayal of black people. Jesus.

 

[soundwave05]

Who cares about taste.

You're advertising a GAME SYSTEM ... a goddamn TOY (yes, that's all it is).

There are better ways to do it than this. Sony's marketing division is becoming more annoying than Tom Cruise.

HEY Guys! Lets go grafitti some inner city walls in a hopeless display to look "street"! :lol

 

[cvxfreak]

So many times in the thread i've read "no in good taste".
You all sound fact when "having taste" is so subjective. There's so many intricacies in any expression mediums, styles of presentations, styles of humors, stereotypes and urban legends, myths and other stuff to play with.
This ad seems pretty humoristic to me and his actually glancing at our "bad past". Humans needs to look at themselves and laugh sometimes. The white girl wants the control there (impresonnating the white PSP) like they want the attention of the black girl and yes in the mean of taking over. The ad wants you to feel like the white PSP is the new shit and it taking over. Also they wanted to have some provocative touch described here in the violence of the pose.
Nothing racist, well done ad that is still in the "good taste" department imo. "Good taste" does not = "politically correct". Some people outta here should really switch off their racist chip off and start doing something for the harmony of the people around them, stop making clans and forgive what their grand fathers did to their other grand fathers. Or else there will always be racism and shit going on everywhere. (i don't mean you necessarily don't mind about racism in real life or that you do nothing for it in real life here, i don't know you all personnally. I'm obviously having a general statement there)

:lol :lol :lol

If there were a yellow PSP coming out and an Asian person doing what the person in white was doing... oooooh boy.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Who cares about taste.

You're advertising a GAME SYSTEM ... a goddamn TOY (yes, that's all it is).

There are better ways to do it than this. Sony's marketing division is becoming more annoying than Tom Cruise.

Yes and Sony's European division has never went along those guidelines and that's why their marketing is among the best out there.

 

[Ranger X]

:lol :lol :lol

If there were a yellow PSP coming out and an Asian person doing what the person in white was doing... oooooh boy.

You think the reactions would be worse? Just curious

EDIT: ok i don't know how to read, i though you said if it was an Asian woman grabbed by the white one.

 

[renvi]

http://pspupdates.qj.net/Another-Unconventional-Ad-From-Sony-UPDATED/pg/49/aid/57882

 

[soundwave05]

Yes and Sony's European division has never went along those guidelines and that's why their marketing is among the best out there.

Oh yeah ... lets give it up to genius marketing execs for coming with steaming turds of marketing campaigns like his.

How about one where Jesus is shitting out a PSP for next year. :lol

Oooooh! Edgy!

 

[SolidSnakex]

Oh yeah ... lets give it up for genius marketing execs for coming with steaming turds of marketing campaigns like his.

Every ad company as some stinkers. If you go to that game site that posts videogame commercials you'll see Sony's Euro commercials are generally damn good.

How about one where Jesus is shitting out a PSP for next year. :lol

I still like that ad.

 

[cvxfreak]

You think the reactions would be worse? Just curious

I don't know if it would bring a worse reaction per se, but it would be equally offensive. I mean, Asians (Japan in particular during its rise in the 20th century) have been referred to as the "Yellow Peril" in history. That's why it's such a bad idea to do these kinds ads, even if you think they're slick.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

http://pspupdates.qj.net/Another-Unconventional-Ad-From-Sony-UPDATED/pg/49/aid/57882

Well, he nailed my opinion of it.

 

[soundwave05]

Sony has sucked for marketing for a while. This spot just sums up how badly they've fallen off.

The PSP ads here are friggin' godawful as well (with the Hispanic whatever-that-is). And the whole paying people to graffitti buildings as part of a corporate marketing campaign ... :lol

 

[Ranger X]

I don't know if it would bring a worse reaction per se, but it would be equally offensive. I mean, Asians (Japan in particular during its rise in the 20th century) have been referred to as the "Yellow Peril" in history. That's why it's such a bad idea to do these kinds ads, even if you think they're slick.

I edited my previous post. I did read your post as if you were wondering what would be the reactions if it was an asian woman grabbed by the white chick.
Anyhow, regardless the nationality you would gave the 2 woman my point of view would be the exact same. This is all a matter of perception.

 

[PjotrStroganov]

The other side of the wall was not photographed?

Nobody wants to see this. I makes some of the points made in this topic less valid. That's not how people want to win a non-discussion.

 

[Frankfurter]

Exposure.

More exposure (billboards plus 6 o'clock news plus radio, plus magazines etc.) to a product usually leads to more sales, almost no matter what the context is.

That's why Kiefer Sutherland tells us to buy a Ford a minimum 6 times between 8 and 10 PM on weeknights. The more times the advertisement is played, the more exposure the product gets. This might lead to increased sales.

If this wasn't an effective method, the advertising companies wouldn't do it.

1.Cars =/= handhelds

2. If Kiefer Sutherland would tell you (I'm exagerating) that you get a free black person to every Ford, would that still lead to increased sales? It's not only about exposure, it is about the context.

 

[bishoptl]

How do you know she is going to strangle him? She's grabbed him by the jaw, she could be into rough sex and be about to kiss him (with tongue) or something.

You know, some days you wake up and realize you're surrounded by idiots.

Today is one of those days.

Marconelly's post containing the other picture in the campaign is proof positive - the theme is about dominance. The campaign is designed to outrage and get people talking. Whether or not it's a wise one...that's up for discussion.

There is racial subtext here. Choose to ignore it if you like, but it's there.

But the fact that everyone here is either A) tearing out their Afros in rage or B) polishing up their Stormfront membership cards means that it's definitely effective.

Carry on.

 

[soundwave05]

You know, some days you wake up and realize you're surrounded by idiots.

Today is one of those days.

:lol

 

[MightyHedgehog]

This is all a matter of perception.

Of course, it is. But ascribing colors of a handheld gaming system to persons of the same (real) skin color in an advertisment is just stupid and obviously asking for controversy. The implied violence/anger/domination of the poses in the photo don't make things better. This shit is just ridiculous and in no way cool. Meh.

 

[Francias Castiglione]

Nobody wants to see this. I makes some of the points made in this topic less valid. That's not how people want to win a non-discussion.

:lol Yes, that makes it even alright.

 

[SolidSnakex]

:lol Yes, that makes it even alright.

It just makes it a tasteless series of ads, but not a racist set.

 

[cvxfreak]

I edited my previous post. I did read your post as if you were wondering what would be the reactions if it was an asian woman grabbed by the white chick.
Anyhow, regardless the nationality you would gave the 2 woman my point of view would be the exact same. This is all a matter of perception.

Perception or not, it offends certain people, and that's the issue here.

 

[GreekWolf]

So many times in the thread i've read "not in good taste".
You all sound fact when "having taste" is so subjective.

You'd be absolutely correct, if we were discussing clothes, movies or food. But "having taste" isn't something purely subjective which you can apply to a controversial concept. Look at the poster... it's a caucasian grabbing an african-american, with a tagline that reads "White is coming." How can you spin something like that? As others have pointed out, OF COURSE Sony designed it to be borderline offensive... it attracts attention. Any publicity is good publicity. Personally, I don't have a problem with controversial advertisements, unless it's offensive to the point of obscenity.

I wonder how many peeps who don't find anything even remotely objectionable to this ad, would feel the same if you changed the scene to an American solider grabbing an Iraqi by the throat? Everyone finds different concepts offensive.

 

[Ranger X]

Of course, it is. But ascribing colors of a handheld gaming system to persons of the same (real) skin color in an advertisment is just stupid and obviously asking for controversy. The implied violence/anger/domination of the poses in the photo don't make things better. This shit is just ridiculous and in no way cool. Meh.

That's a style i'd say. I know it may offend some people but i'd even call this ad humoristic. This ad is laughing at ourselves and even louder when we complain imo.

 

[soundwave05]

Of course, it is. But ascribing colors of a handheld gaming system to persons of the same (real) skin color in an advertisment is just stupid and obviously asking for controversy. The implied violence/anger/domination of the poses in the photo don't make things better. This shit is just ridiculous and in no way cool. Meh.

QFT

/End Discussion

:lol at this one. What the f*ck?

I AM CAUCASIAN. HEAR ME ROAR!

 

[aoi tsuki]

Sony has sucked for marketing for a while. This spot just sums up how badly they've fallen off.

The PSP ads here are friggin' godawful as well (with the Hispanic whatever-that-is). And the whole paying people to graffitti buildings as part of a corporate marketing campaign ... :lol

i haven't kept up with their ads, aside from the squirrel commercials (more offensive to me than this) and the grafitti campaign, but i generally like Sony's ad. They speak to people who are familiar with the Playstation brand while being visually impressive and not blatantly "gamey". Hell, i like the more mature approach seen in European media compared to what we get in the states. The only campaigns i remember liking in the US were the Cube's initial "Life Inside the Cube" and the GBA SP commercials with crazy superimposed retro graphics.

Yeah, video game systems are toys, but i'm not a child and i don't want every ad to cater to children. A haute couture ad like this just wouldn't fly in the states even if they removed the bits people find offensive. But i'd prefer this

to whatever it was we had in the US. The fact that i don't even remember tells me it probably wasn't worth remembering to me.

 

[SolidSnakex]

QFT

/End Discussion

:lol at this one. What the f*ck?

Isn't that the type of ad people were saying they should've used? Where those 2 were just facing off instead one holding the other down?

 

[Buffy4ever]

And I'll repeat what I said before, if people don't stop coming to their own conclusions about what the "true meaning" of adverts are, and the "obvious prejudices" the advertising team had when making the shoot, racism will remain rife in today's society. It doesn't look like the black model had a problem with doing the advert, or are you going to say she's been forced into the role by the white oppresor.

The SONY Defense Force is strong today! I hate it when people play the race card, but if you can't till this is racist, than you are blind.
Of course black model doesn't have problem with the ad she is getting paid for it.

 

[soundwave05]

Isn't that the type of ad people were saying they should've used? Where those 2 were just facing off instead one holding the other down?

Or ... I dunno ... maybe .... how ... about .... not doing the whole racial angle at all?

:lol

PSP ... now availible in Caucasian and Negro!

Maybe they can stop with the Hispanic Squirrels as well.

 

[loosus]

You know, some days you wake up and realize you're surrounded by idiots.

Today is one of those days.

Marconelly's post containing the other picture in the campaign is proof positive - the theme is about dominance. The campaign is designed to outrage and get people talking. Whether or not it's a wise one...that's up for discussion.

There is racial subtext here. Choose to ignore it if you like, but it's there.

But the fact that everyone here is either A) tearing out their Afros in rage or B) polishing up their Stormfront membership cards means that it's definitely effective.

Carry on.

Come on, man. :lol

 

[Tamanon]

The SONY Defense Force is strong today! I hate it when people play the race card, but if you can't till this is racist, than you are blind.
Of course black model doesn't have problem with the ad she is getting paid for it.

So then you're saying black people will do anything for money?

 

[Ranger X]

I wonder how many peeps who don't find anything even remotely objectionable to this ad, would feel the same if you changed the scene to an American solider grabbing an Iraqi by the throat? Everyone finds different concepts offensive.

You also have to take into account that there is so much stuff can be interpreted through an ad like this that it would be impossible to make something that is provocative. Provocation in good fun can be cool. You only need to see it this way to appreciate.

Just to tackle your ad with the soldiers... I would be offended somehow. Not because of the nations implied but the fact it's about war and i'm against wars. The act of war is WAY MORE dramatic and selfish than racism.

 

[GreekWolf]

So then you're saying black people will do anything for money?

Most people, regardless of race, will do anything that pays well, even if it's considered demeaning or objectionable.

 

[soundwave05]

You also have to take into account that there is so much stuff can be interpreted through an ad like this that it would be impossible to make something that is provocative. Provocation in good fun can be cool. You only need to see it this way to appreciate.

Just to tackle your ad with the soldiers... I would be offended somehow. Not because of the nations implied but the fact it's about war and i'm against wars. The act of war is WAY MORE dramatic and selfish than racism.

Yeah, racism is sooooo 1945.

 

[Lord Error]

Marconelly's post containing the other picture in the campaign is proof positive - the theme is about dominance. The campaign is designed to outrage and get people talking. Whether or not it's a wise one...that's up for discussion.

I think these ads are Dutch-speciffic, maybe they don't even have racism problems over there so something like this can fly easily. It would never fly in US, that much is quite obvious though.

 

[HumpDeBump]

I see nothing racist is this ad.

But sony always manages to make controversial ads, that repercutes all over the world...

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Most people, regardless of race, will do anything that pays well, even if it's considered demeaning or objectionable.

Most models don't see the final layout with accompanying copy until it's gone to press. So, the models were given direction and shot that way with no understanding of what the final ad would actually be about (other than perhaps the subject of it selling a game system). It's a job and likely one of several photoshoots they had to do within a short amount of time.

 

[CabbageRed]

Wow. Way to perpetuate the view that women are nothing but sexual objects. I cannot believe that they would so overtly compare a *human* to a toy and think that no one would see the message just because she is a woman. A man in a man's world surrounded by his toys.

 

[soundwave05]

Wow. Way to perpetuate the view that women are nothing but sexual objects. I cannot believe that they would so overtly compare a *human* to a toy and think that no one would see the message just because she is a woman. A man in a man's world surrounded by his toys.

OMG .... they're implying sex AND gaming can be fun.

 

[GreekWolf]

You also have to take into account that there is so much stuff can be interpreted through an ad like this that it would be impossible to make something that is provocative. Provocation in good fun can be cool. You only need to see it this way to appreciate.

I would agree with that, if we're talking about cultural interpretation. This particular ad might not cause anyone in Germany, India or Japan to raise an eyebrow... but if you plastered it on a huge billboard in New York, Los Angeles or D.C., I'd be willing to bet that it would evoke a much different reaction.

Just to tackle your ad with the soldiers... I would be offended somehow. Not because of the nations implied but the fact it's about war and i'm against wars. The act of war is WAY MORE dramatic and selfish than racism.

Can't say that I agree with that at all, especially when you take into consideration that throughout history, racism has been the dominant factor in instigating many wars.

 

[GreekWolf]

Most models don't see the final layout with accompanying copy until it's gone to press. So, the models were given direction and shot that way with no understanding of what the final ad would actually be about (other than perhaps the subject of it selling a game system). It's a job and likely one of several photoshoots they had to do within a short amount of time.

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. I was referring more to the porn industry.

 

[kaching]

Don't worry SDF members:

You're being about as offensive as you claim this ad is. In this thread you have a number of people saying that calling this offensive is overreacting, which includes several people who aren't associated with having any particular preference for Sony. The abuse of the SDF generalization around here is really starting to say more about the accusers' biases than those of the accused.