From Deutsch LA comes the above spot for PlayStation Vita, Sony’s latest portable gaming console that, at the lofty price tag of $250, is selling slower than Dreamcast, Sega’s final console before it dropped out of the console-making business completely.

Yes, PlayStation’s pricing model has gotten itself in some financial trouble over the last few years. While PlayStation built up its reputation for having the best video game titles and competitive technology since the release of its first console in 1995, the company got a little greedy with the release of PS3 and PlayStation Vita. Both of these systems are what most gaming experts would agree are the most technologically capable in their respective console categories, but six years after its release, Sony is still refusing to drop the price on the PS3 under $250. Meanwhile, in spite of the Vita’s sluggish sales since it debuted on the international market earlier this year, Sony is still not dropping its price tag. For you to truly understand the above spot for the Assassin’s Creed 3 bundle pack for Vita, you need to understand the position that Deutsch is in.

Unlike the campaign for the PSP, PlayStation’s earlier handheld platform that was marketed to casual gamers, Deutsch is aiming to hit the video game fanatics that are willing to shell out $250 in exchange for constant stimulation at all times. Look at it this way, thieves are probably more likely to rob iPhones on the subway these days instead of foreign-looking, clunky devices. Add to that the promise of a violent murder during your morning commute, and perhaps Sony can move some Vitas during the holiday season without lowering the price. Credits after the jump.

Read more

Something’s amiss here as we’ve been given the runaround each time we attempted to reach MJZ senior executive producer Jeff Scruton. Phone calls were referred elsewhere, messages and direct emails to the man were left unanswered and we have even been unable to get a clear yea or nay as to whether he is still part of the bi-coastal/U.K.-based production company.

Over the past few days, folks on the Spy line have been telling us that Scruton and MJZ, which has been lathered up aplenty by Creativity and other pubs over the years (check out their directorial roster and portfolio if you’re wondering why), have parted ways. Scruton personally has worked with the likes of Spike Jonze, Dante Ariola and Tom Kuntz while at MJZ.  Some of Scruton’s most recent handiwork as senior EP at the prodco includes the Old Spice “Sea Captain” spot. We’ve give you a shout a few times, Jeff. If you’re out there, feel free to holler back and let us know what’s up.

image

Were you expecting someone else? At least this time, though, Wieden + Kennedy shared its top prize tonight at the AICP Show as the agency’s seemingly immortal “Write the Future” spot for Nike (helmed by Babel/Amores Perros director Alejandro González Iñárritu) tied with Deutsch LA and director Lance Acord‘s “The Force” VW Super Bowl spot for Advertising Excellence/Single Commercial honors. As for the other AICP Best in Show category, Advertising Excellence/Campaign, said honor went to Leo Burnett Chicago and Phil Morrison‘s  series of “Mayhem” ads for Allstate.

In terms of agencies, W+K, as with many other award shows, led the pack with 13 wins, not only  for “Write the Future,” but of course, Old Spice “Questions” and Responses,” the two of which also won earlier today at the Next Awards in the Integrated and Viral/Web Film categories, respectively. As for the also-rans, along with Deutsch LA, Y&R, BBDO and TBWA\Chiat\Day all picked up five AICP honors for work throughout their networks.

On the production company front, MJZ topped the list with eight honors tonight at the MoMA for not just Old Spice (again) but other work including the Willem Dafoe-starring “Parallels” ad for Jim Beam from StrawberryFrog and Dante Ariola ( for Direction, Visual Style, and Cinematography) and the Chiat LA-created/Rupert Sanders-directed “There’s a Soldier in All of Us” clip for Activision (production).

Ok, back to imbibing….

Check out this new Boost Mobile spot from 180LA, which features a a 20-foot tall giant who’s having a rough go at life and touts the mobile brand’s “Shrinkage” plan. In my world, shrinkage is never a good thing. And with the amount that it’s said in this spot, the point of it is completely lost on me.  How come they’ve gotta say it over and over again sooo many times? Welcome to the world of see, say, kids.

In a statement, Ari Weiss, CD at 180LA, had this to say about the clip (which was directed by MJZ’s Dante Ariola): “Giants have always been glamorized in the public eye, but the truth is being that large comes with obvious setbacks. Giants seemed to be the perfect spokespeople for a campaign featuring the upside of shrinking.”

Umm ya. It’s a whatever spot. Wouldn’t watch it again, wouldn’t necessarily talk about it again. But hey, some of you might actually have some shit to talk about it, so why not, right? Knock yourselves out. Happy November. Credits after the jump.

Read more