Tomb Raider Forums

Tomb Raider Forums (https://www.tombraiderforums.com/index.php)
-   Video Games (https://www.tombraiderforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25)
-   -   Sony's white PSP ad draws more fire (https://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?t=69379)

Spitfire 11-07-06 19:20

Sony's white PSP ad draws more fire
 
Dont think anyone posted this and felt it was a good story to discuss

[URL="http://www.gamespot.com/pages/unions/read_article.php?topic_id=24785285&union_id=6379"][/URL] A Sony PSP ad promoting the new Ceramic White model of the system in the Netherlands is causing an international stir. Gaming Web sites and message boards have lit up with debate over the ad this week after a picture went up on digitalbattle.com, and now California Assemblyman Leland Yee and the San Jose/Silicon Valley chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) have made their feelings on the issue known.

In a statement titled "Sony stoops to new low with racially charged ad," Yee said he was "deeply disappointed" in the publisher's decision to run the ad, which features a white woman holding a black woman by the jaw in a threatening manner. Sony has said the ad, one in a series that features the white woman promoting the system in a variety of ways, was designed to show the contrast between the colors of the new and old PSPs, and has "no other message or purpose."

"Whether in the US or abroad, using differences in skin color to articulate the fact that your video game console now comes in white can be interpreted as insensitive at best and racist at worst," Yee said.

Rick Callender, president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley chapter of the NAACP, echoed Yee's displeasure.

"The days of blacks being portrayed in minstrel shows are long gone, and with good reason," Callender said. "The minstrel show was an awful chapter in history and this ad smacks of that age and time. It is even further unacceptable that some corporations still think it is ok to use racially charged media images. The latest Sony ad conjures up bad memories of when stereotypical and offensive images of people of color were accepted means of selling a product. Sony should immediately apologize and discontinue these archaic advertising tactics."

This is not the first time Yee has taken exception to actions in the gaming industry. He authored California's violent game restriction law (currently being challenged in the courts), and was among the first to call for a rerating of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a result of the Hot Coffee scandal.

Orignal link: [URL="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153643.html"]Gamespot News Article[/URL]

please give ur opinion on this matter which i felt was worthy of discussion.

The Ad
[IMG]http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6466/sonyscreen0016qa.jpg[/IMG]

I think sony messed up BIG time

tha_mattster 11-07-06 19:21

I think it is offensive.

I hope it is never shown again.

Probably the most ignorant advert I have ever seen.

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/tx/sony_ad.shtml[/url]

Lara's Boy 11-07-06 19:21

ouch.....bad move on Sony's part....I can just see the PSP sales plummeting, lol

Catapharact 11-07-06 19:22

Oh Sony... *Amused.* Lets see you PR yourself outta this one.

Pawprint 11-07-06 19:23

I don't see it as being offensive, but not a good advertising strategy. :(

tha_mattster 11-07-06 19:24

I think it was deliberate, to cause offense, get the press headlines then sell more PSPs thanks to this debate.

Sony also did an advert with an image of Christ, he was wearing a headband of thorns that were in the shape of the Playstation buttons.

I think they are using the same tactic both times. but this new one is far more offensive I think.

Spitfire 11-07-06 19:24

[SIZE=-1]Sony have now pulled this ad but they issued a statement in defence of the campaign:

Sony issued a statement in defense of its campaign saying: "The marketing campaign for the launch of the new PSP focuses on the contrast between the black and white model."

"All of the 100 or so images created for the campaign have been designed to show this contrast in colors, and have no other message or purpose."


source - [URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/tx/gallery/picoftheday.shtml"]BBC[/URL]
[/SIZE]

tha_mattster 11-07-06 19:26

Why couldnt they just have a little cartoon polar bear playing a PSP? That would work for me ^.^

Spitfire 11-07-06 19:29

Seriously they just needed the white girl playing the psp or something, no need to through in a black woman and a harsh gesture

Dingaling 11-07-06 19:46

[url]http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/04/ad-critic-sonys-racially-charged-psp-ad/[/url]

The link has some more of the ads without the PSP White is Coming message. Notice how the black woman is threatening the white in one ad and both are at each others throat in another ad? It's only termed racist because the only ad shown was the white woman threatening the black woman. The ads show both black and white fighting it out for being the colour that will sell more as a finish. I.e. Which one is more stylish.

If it was PSP White is Coming and only the black woman was threatening the white woman, would it be deemed racist? It's a pondering thought.


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:27.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Tomb Raider Forums is not owned or operated by CDE Entertainment Ltd.
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider are trademarks of CDE Entertainment Ltd.