Directed Blog Post 3: Technology in Advertising
Top creative executive Paul Tilley for the advertising agency DDB committed suicide last Friday, February 22. Famous for the "I'm lovin' it" of McDonald's and "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell" of Dell slogans, Tilley had a significant impact on the advertising spectrum. I remember working at McDonald's years ago when the new slogan came out. Everything was revamped. New uniforms, new greetings, new signs, new sandwiches, new everything. Boy was that a sh*tty job. And now here I am preparing to do a directed blog post about advertising.
Above is one of EA's Rock Band's latest commercials. In case you don't know what Rock Band is, it's the new addition to a line of video games in which the player plays a guitar like controller to an array of music. Rock Band is available on all next generation consoles.
The field of TV video game advertising is rather homogeneous. Typically, video game commercials consist of in-game graphics in a provocative sequence, usually really fast, that illustrates the actual in-game experience. You might compare this to a movie trailer in which a string of clips from the movie are combined to evoke the most powerful moments of the movie. Alternatively, the Rock Band commercial appeals more to the user of the video game than the actual game itself. The commercial portrays game players in a fictional environment that personifies the emotion a player might experience by playing the game. This really does set it self apart from the majority of video game TV advertisements.
The commercial music, Suffragette City by David Bowie, is a classic rock song. While the song is playing, apparent band members are lounging in a private jet supposedly on tour for playing the video game. Meanwhile, the band members are having a trivial argument over what the band should call themselves (humor). While I might not be laughing, it is the intention of this commercial to present a hypothetical, sarcastic situation. The name Rock Band is self defining. Clearly the actors portrayed in this commercial are just that, rockers.
The individuals relaxing in the private jet are aged roughly between 18 and 24. The obvious target audience of the commercial is high school/college aged young adults who enjoy video games and music. The commercial contains the token black male and white female, along with 3 other white males. All appear to be of the same music culture, although they seem rather generic looking (and I'm sure intentionally). Towards the end of the commercial, when David Bowie starts playing, "Rock Band" fades onto the screen signifying the commercials end.
This clever approach to video game commercials is unique and entertaining. While in real life we play this game and feel like rock stars, in the commercial you ARE a rock star. The commercial evokes the feeling that by playing the game you are becoming a rock star. In conclusion I feel that this method of advertising is unique and effective. Also R.I.P. Paul Tilley.
Above is one of EA's Rock Band's latest commercials. In case you don't know what Rock Band is, it's the new addition to a line of video games in which the player plays a guitar like controller to an array of music. Rock Band is available on all next generation consoles.
The field of TV video game advertising is rather homogeneous. Typically, video game commercials consist of in-game graphics in a provocative sequence, usually really fast, that illustrates the actual in-game experience. You might compare this to a movie trailer in which a string of clips from the movie are combined to evoke the most powerful moments of the movie. Alternatively, the Rock Band commercial appeals more to the user of the video game than the actual game itself. The commercial portrays game players in a fictional environment that personifies the emotion a player might experience by playing the game. This really does set it self apart from the majority of video game TV advertisements.
The commercial music, Suffragette City by David Bowie, is a classic rock song. While the song is playing, apparent band members are lounging in a private jet supposedly on tour for playing the video game. Meanwhile, the band members are having a trivial argument over what the band should call themselves (humor). While I might not be laughing, it is the intention of this commercial to present a hypothetical, sarcastic situation. The name Rock Band is self defining. Clearly the actors portrayed in this commercial are just that, rockers.
The individuals relaxing in the private jet are aged roughly between 18 and 24. The obvious target audience of the commercial is high school/college aged young adults who enjoy video games and music. The commercial contains the token black male and white female, along with 3 other white males. All appear to be of the same music culture, although they seem rather generic looking (and I'm sure intentionally). Towards the end of the commercial, when David Bowie starts playing, "Rock Band" fades onto the screen signifying the commercials end.
This clever approach to video game commercials is unique and entertaining. While in real life we play this game and feel like rock stars, in the commercial you ARE a rock star. The commercial evokes the feeling that by playing the game you are becoming a rock star. In conclusion I feel that this method of advertising is unique and effective. Also R.I.P. Paul Tilley.
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When rocking out to Bowie on Rock Band, you do feel like a star. I think that is also some of the appeal of the game. It takes you to a different reality. I think the game kind of sells itself in this manner. This added with commercials make it an instant success!
How many hours a day do you have to play the game for in order to get the private jet? hehe I would commit to full time if that's what it takes.
It's always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I'm sure you had fun writing this article. Excellent entry! I'm been looking for topics as interesting as this. Looking forward to your next post.