Frodo of The Weekly Geek - one of my favorite podcasts - examines the fruits of Nintendo's blogger-oriented marketing campaign for its upcoming Wii gaming system, and finds what he believes to be a deep flaw.

Nintendo has recently rolled out a new marketing campaign focused on getting non-gamer types hyped up about the Wii. Nintendo has asked various non-gaming bloggers to be ambassadors for their new console. These "Wii Ambassador Parties" are like modern Tupperware parties and seem like a good idea. With the Wii's emphasis on multiplayer and casual content, getting people who wouldn't normally play a video game to play a video game seems like marketing dollars well-spent.

And yet, he says, not so much. Frodo offers as Exhibit A the blog of one Wii Ambassador, Tracey Clark at Club Mom. Nintendo reps swept in to Tracey's house like Santa with a full platoon of elves on Christmas Eve. They set up ginormous televisions with connected Wii consoles, brought in Mexican food and beer and wine, lavished the attendees with pricey swag, and even cleaned up the mess afterward. Everyone had a fantastic time.

So, then! What was the experience of this non-gamer with the videogame console that everyone's dying to play? We don't really know. The party that Nintendo threw in Tracey's home was so mind-blowing that it all but eclipsed the product. Everyone had a good time, but who wouldn't, when they've been given all the burritos and free DS Lite handhelds that they can eat?



TSA's account of his Wii Ambassador Party is very different. For one thing, he describes himself as a Nintendo fan and a "hardcore gamer". Also, instead of holding the party in TSA's home, Nintendo loaded him and the other guests into a van with the windows covered and spirited them away to a secret urban location. TSA's description - after he gets over the amazing Mission Impossible style execution of the event - does indeed focus on the system and the games. But as a hardcore gamer, that's why he's there, right?

It'll be interesting to read about the other parties. How different will each of them be? Can Nintendo  persuade non-gamers to give the Wii a special place in their hearts once the burrito tray is empty and the cerveza bottles are cleared away? Or will bloggers like Tracey play the machine for a while when it comes out, then abandon it to the kids?

You know, guys, I'd be happy to write about the Wii for for just one burrito and a Dr. Pepper.

Okay, okay - I'll settle for chips and guacamole. But that's my final offer.


Tags: Nintendo, Wii, Wii Ambassador Parties, word of mouth