In the inaugural edition of SmartPlanet’s Point/Counterpoint, editors Larry Dignan and Andrew Nusca discuss the effectiveness of Palm’s Pre advertisements featuring actress Tamara Hope speaking directly to viewers about abstract themes.
Larry Dignan: For starters, the actress is cute in a Data-from-Star Trek kinda way.
Andrew Nusca: Sure, but her voice is awfully creepy.
LD: These ads definitely worked. Why? Because here we are still talking about them.
AN: Yes, but I’m not convinced that buzz translates to sales. What about all those Super Bowl ads where you remember the ad but not the product?
LD: You remembered they were Palm ads, didn’t you? And you remembered that it was for the Pre, right? That’s the difference.
AN: I’ll give you that. But I’m still not convinced that a spacey, New Age-y atmosphere is going to translate to the professionals that are most likely to buy a $199 phone and pricey data plan.
LD: I wouldn’t call these ads masterpieces, but I’ve seen much worse. And if I can get hundreds of dancers moving in sync while I’m standing on a rock with my Pre, I may just get one.
AN: I’m still not convinced.
LD: You should read my editorial on ZDNet.
AN: And you should read mine.
[Point/Counterpoint]
