Sony in trouble again...
- Posted August 8th, 2007 at 15:37 EDT by
- 34 Comments
UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against Sony’s PlayStation 3 viral internet marketing advertisement shown on the web around the EU launch. This video seemed to promote violence and potentially influence anti-social behavior, according to complaints.
The advertisement called “Kovac,” show the character waving a knife along side a banner reading, “Kovac mercenary or misunderstood?” and Sony’s PS3 catch phrase, “This is living.” One can easily see why members of the media and society misinterpreted the ad, especially with some of the news articles over the past few months.
After numerous complaints, an ASA investigation and the lost ruling, a company representative said, "We acknowledge the recent ASA ruling in relation to the PlayStation 3 brand advertisement and the recommendation contained within." Just when it seemed Sony pressed ‘cruise control,’ more bad press.
All is not lost, however. Sales are still increasing and brand adoption is expanding. Keep a close watch to PSU for future news and information.
Email
Related Content
Comments
-
-
The_MorningStar
- 10:52am EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 2
man, you wonder why sony seem to neglect the uk....
-
Solar20
- 11:05am EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 3
Always the same BS. Commercials, music, movies and games which contain anti-social messages or things of that sort dont change people! I wont kill someone if I play to much fps and things like that. Seriously people need to lightend up searching for reasons behind everything ofcourse there is always something that fits your story...but look at it another way and it fits another. Sigh....
-
mikeghtmare
- 11:08am EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 4
I'm certain Sony knows better; this is probably part of their advertisement game. Now because of this more people will be reached and they'll probably look up the add and PS3 just to find out what that was all about.
-
-
-
-
MMDs
- 12:43pm EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 8
seriously quit dissing the UK, sure they have some slight cultural differences, but a lot of good stuff comes from SCE in Europe and Phil Harrison is bringin it to us. Avi's Colleague: London? Avi: Yes, London. You know: fish, chips, cup 'o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary f***** Poppins... LONDON.
-
-
-
-
DParadise
- 1:47pm EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 12
The UK is wicked. I live here and I love living here. Its just some poeple dont like what they see so they ban things and complain about things. i think there right, when i see it i wanted to go out and stab someone, NOT. These complaints are starting to get really boring now.
-
-
Alpha2
- 2:49pm EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 14
If it's part of that weird as5 ad campaign with the crazy hotel with the sex and possible drug use and stuff then yeah I can understand why someone would take issue, the freaking thing makes no sense, it's a psychotic mental raping waiting to happen if you try to comprehend it. The one character doing kung fu in his room that gets attacked by a ninja or something then goes off doing flips and kicks down the halls of the hotel is probably that guy they refer to in the ad, if it is then it's just another case of hyper sensitive media freaking out over nothing but because the comercials are so abstract it has no clear definition when you see other related material and you take at face value.
-
-
-
InfernoReaper
- 5:19pm EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 17
Should we recommend a section of new complaints towards Sony?
-
-
-
BobbyRoc
- 6:22pm EDT - August 8th, 2007
- 20
Its just one thing after another with this whole Sony campaign. The next big news will probably be something like "The PS3 impregnated 5 woman and they are suing for child support". All this negative news is gettin old, who cares! As long as Sony drops the good games, everybody will be happy.
This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!
