Diesel Island National Anthem

Diesel is starting their own Island to create a better world. The first 'real' place they will actually start their new country is within the world of PlayStation Home - the virtual social network of Sony PlayStation.

This is what Diesel believes:

“We, at Diesel, have a stupid dream. What would it be like to start a nation from scratch? To take what is great from the countries we know and ditch what is bad. To re-write the laws. To right social wrongs. A country for only the brave. A nation in which all you future citizens of Diesel Island have the chance of being Stupid Pioneers. The first nation that truly cares about what you like and dislike. Hop on the plane from 21st July, boarding through our updated store in the PlayStation Home Shopping Centre. New Look, New Stuff – some of it free. Welcome to Diesel Island. Land of the Stupid and Home of the Brave.”

So the 'island' seems to be a virtual place within Home, but in the beginning is just a new clothing line that is being sold at the 'in-game Diesel store' in the shopping mall of PlayStation Home. Don;t let that withhold you from getting the latest, coolest fashion items! - Diesel rules!

More information on the PlayStation weblog

Gran Turismo 5 Red Bull X1 Prototype Full Reveal w/Gameplay

A perfect example how a brand can benefit from games. In this case, Red Bull decided to develop a virtual Formula 1 car to push boundaries of product innovation in design and speed (or design of speed). The virtual car is a co-production of Red Bull racing and Polyphony Digital, the makers of Gran Turismo 5.

A picture of the X1 car:

Product innovation and Promotion are just two out of the five P's of the marketing mix that benefit from this concept. Red Bull could even make money if they offer the car as DLC (Downloadable Content) for PlayStation 3. This way the investment would be earned back! In that way the P for Place (distribution) also benefits from a great concept!

Way to go Red Bull!

GTA:SA Peterbuilt 379 Coca-Cola Truck Mod

If you read my previous blog post (below) ... here is the Coca-Cola Truck.... consumer generated stuff ... wow!

Pisswasser from Heineken and Carlsberg

For the people that don't know the game Grand Theft Auto, the game is packed with ingame (fake) Brands that wink to fastfood chains and Beer brands. One of the Ingame brands is Pisswasser. The label on the back of the bottle says: "You're in, for a good time". Enjoy crisp, salty taste of Pisswasser. The German fighting lager, of choice for the more discerning binge drinker. Brewed from rice, barley, hops and the fresh urine of Barvarian virgins. Bottled in U-Rhine.

Wouldn't it be fun and great word of mouth if a brewery like Carlsberg or Heineken would sell the actual beer in reallife short after release of the game? Great limited edition and collectors items that would definately stirr up the brandscape!

Volvo Ocean Race game continues...

After having 250.000 subscribers last year, Volvo continues their sailing simulation game where participants have to take control of their ship 6 times per day, amongst them waking up twice per night sleep during 9 months (!)

If you are a Vimeo user, you can check the Dutch interview with the developers here:

http://vimeo.com/5034639

Most important are the choices of sails in the beginning and as you play the game the course you set versus the actual wind and wind expectations.

Gamers need to wake up twice per night to change course of their ship in relation with the wind. And during the day probably need to log in 50 times per day to check their status. 50% of the gamers are actual sailors and 50% aren't. Participants come from all around the globe so this is a 100% international game for people from all cultures.

Check all you need to know here to participate: http://www.volvooceanracegame.org/home.php

Results:

40.000 pageviews per month
250.000 active players
27+ age
More than average income (3 x average)
In-game advertising pointed directly at the gamers