Considering the Crown of Thorns ad, it seems Sony wants to kinda build up some bad-ass rep by stirring up controversy.

It's just kinda tasteless and cheesy. =/

here here on the tasteless.

I believe the "marketing spin" is white-like-an-Ipod rather than black-like-everything-else for the new kit, but the images clearly have 'overtones of racism' in them to say the least ...

The slightly interesting thing there is that Apple is trying to do the opposite - bigging up their black iPods (and MacBooks) more than the white ones. Though they haven't tried anything like this ...

Not racist. When can the time come that you can do ads like these without some sensitive bloke scream discrimination?

Case in point: switch the black girl with an asian girl wearing black. Or brown. I highly doubt any of us would complain even if we HAVE been ridiculously oppressed in the past.

It's not racial tension. It's simply like art, two colours duking it out. Like say ... the Blue Man Group versus a street mime painted bronze.

Yes, but art's job is not to sell you something, if this was art it would be trying to relay a message about color or about race. This is not relaying a message, it is playing on latent racial tension to manipulate the public into buying something.

Of course, I showed this to my friend and her immediate reaction is that they were having hot S&M sex, so it really all depends on your point of view. But when the majority of people seeing this are going to have POV that it's racist, or at least racially charged and that it's using that racial tension to sell you something I think there's a problem. Possibly the problem is with those people's POV, but the fact remains that they are the majority and Sony has offended them.

Though, offending the majority is not always a bad thing. I think in this case, it is a bad thing, but not always.

I agree with godsy.
They're just using colors to represent their products.

Yeah, I responded to that above, basically I think it's still exploiting racial tension, as it's not trying to relay a message but sell you something.

Though, the other things is, why would you want your products fighting in the first place?

...

I have no words.

Since godsy already said everything I could about this being racist, I'll cover the last question.

Two products fighting? What're you talking about? Look at that last photo. Look at the sensual poses and expressions. Look how their faces are close to each other and how the white chick's arching her back.

This isn't fighting. This is gratuitous softcore porn.

:D That's what my friend said when she saw it. Mmm, porn.

Stirring up controversy sells product.

I saw this a few days ago. It's not supposed to be racist, it's... I dont even want to get into it. It's sexy, memorable... I'm sick of pandering to all this Political Correctness bullshit.

My Bro was asked to take his England flags down in his office duuring the world cup, because someone thought they were a symbol of the BNP. Insanity.

Stu xxx

Amen to that. Two hot models who're representing psps are throwing down in a sexy catfight, and people are calling, "OMG RACIST!!"

That was honestly the last thing on my mind. Then again I'm a huge perv.

I personally think they are very well done.

The PSP has, if you've watched any of their commercials, tried giving themselves "street cred" and targetted themselves at that demographic.

White and black are the two primary colors people buy any appliances and the like in. With the new DS Lite (which, for a person like me who prefers her consoles in matte black, is still sexy as hell- I almost put it in my pants!) out, they needed something to counter it. So: a white PSP.

What better way, then, to hold to their wish for "street cred" then to have the two colors "fighting"? And what better way than that other than to appeal to those who usually play games: men.


Why not, instead of crying racism (so sick of that term, so so sick of it- it gets bandied around too much), cry sexism? Afterall: why two girls? Why not two guys? Or a girl and a guy? 'Cause it wouldn't draw the usual gamers as much.


It's cliche marketing. Exactly what I'd expect from Sony.

Why not, instead of crying racism (so sick of that term, so so sick of it- it gets bandied around too much)

HEAR! HEAR! Smooshie Buns! ;P

Racism will NEVER die because we simply won't allow it to.

I'm agreeing with what godsy has said.

By setting the representatives of the products against each other they create a kind of 'which is better?' tension, probably something they hope will be passed onto the gamers and thus encourage people to consider what is, in reality, a very minor differance as something of actual importance prehaps even spurring them on to buy different versions as said product (for example someone tradeing in a black for a white or buying a new one and making sure its black to go against the 'trend') as if it where some kind of competition. That would be my guess, anyway.

Wouldn't call it 'racist' persay, but I can see where it may be considered a.. Poor choice of imagery.

:..2-2-7..:

It's a cool image, nothing more.

1st of all you have to remember that this as is from The Netherlands where they are not nearly as uptight about race relations as in some other parts of the world.

They seem to be going for an artistic way of saying "White is better, buy white" because if this image is stirring this much crap could you imagine what would have happen if they actually just SAID it?

Seriously I think some people have way to much time on there hands if they feel the need to sit around the over analyis an advertisment.

Also, as a side note, what would you suggest that they do to advertise such an item?

Summer vacation. Too much time indeed :D

Oh waaaaah, you're all so tired of "political correctness." What, do they need somebody to say "nigger" and lynch someone before you believe it's racism?

* Notice how the ad had to be adjusted so you could clealy SEE the "Black PSP"? Even when she is "in control" in the second and third ads, you're not supposed to see her.

* If this is 'not' racist, why is it being shown in the Netherlands, where one would presume there would be a lot less black people to cause an uproar?

It is a racist ad. There are many many ways to advertise a product which is white. All the visual cues in this ad (such as the "Black PSP" being almost invisible against the black background, giving the "White PSP" more sexy, revealing clothing) was consciously made. Choosing to base your ad campaign off of race relations is in poor taste and is the marketing equivalent of trolling. Maybe Sony hoped to skip out on litigation (they'd recently gone to court in England for questionable advertising at rail stations) in the Netherlands (as I said before, small black population) but manage to stir the pot for the rest of us.

Yes I'm fucking sick of PC and those who are afraid to say what they think becuase heaven forbid! they might offend someone! ::gasp::

* If this is 'not' racist, why is it being shown in the Netherlands, where one would presume there would be a lot less black people to cause an uproar?

Becuase they realize that if they DID show it say in the states it would probably casue a freakin' riot!

I'm sorry but I think being up in arms about this ad is absolutely ubsurd!

Good grief! Maybe the thought behind the series* (white on top then black on top = equality) might perhaps have been cutting-edge in the '70s, but haven't we matured a bit since then? For a start, we now are beginning to recognise institutional and unconscious racism. I won't even start on the HAWT LESBIAN SEX implications.

Just who is this ad aimed at?

*Supposing there is any thought, of course.

I don't think it's particularly racist, though it could be seen as such. I think Sony is just guilty of being insensitive.

I don't know what you're looking at but I see two dominant women in those photos. Now it'd be racist if the black lady was in rags with a big chain around her neck with a naked black baby at her boob while the white women stood over her all "Bitch, you're my slave! POWER TO THE WHITE [PSP]!!"

LOL!

I would prefer an ad with the two women geared as warriors about to clash, or doing the stare-down thing. But that's for purely aesthetic reasons ;P.

...I find myself slightly screwed if I were to argue that it's racist (which I don't think so) because I'm 1/2 black and 1/2 white and honestly, WHAT argument could I MAKE for it being racist?

a) It's a different country's ad for crying out loud
b) IT'S ART
c) Who really, gives a damn? Honestly? Just give us the fricking PSP thank you.

If it were something in the US, I'd have to agree. But with this ad campaign being in a different country it's very possible that people there could look at it and not see an issue of race at all.

I agree. The U.S. has a history of slavery and racism to contend with. Americans look at that pic and see race others look and see just an add. It's going to take several more generations to pass before race sensitivity eases up. The ad is obviously NOT about race however I don't think that ad would be taken very well in the states.

I don't think it's racist; I think it's an actual clever way of subtly using sexual advertising to reach the target audience.

I mean, seriously, it's two hot chicks duking it out. I almost need to run out and buy a PSP.

Well, my reaction was "Wow, that's a bit kinky for a billboard" rather than jumping to racism. I can see where people might feel it is, but I just don't find it very racist at all. I'd say the billboard is aimed at horny young men, honestly, so the whole "products fighting" thing would probably be a bonus for them.

it is as Sony says: nothing more then a contrast between the PSP colors.

They probably just went about it in the wrong way.

I agree. I don't think it was intended as racist, but I can see how some people see that too.

I think it was just poorly done to use people and skin colours.

You could have used animals and the whole thing would be been perceived differently ;D

This is from the same company that blew Beta as a format years ago.
Nothing Sony does surprises me.