How I Helped Create a Nintendo Wii Commercial

I have mentioned before that I am an “ambassador” for Nintendo. People have asked how I got that gig. Other than standing outside Nintendo headquarters and waving profusely, well, a while back they asked me, and I said yes. Simple enough, I know – but it’s not all fancy packages arriving on the doorstep and me fighting off my son so that *I* get to be the one to open the box. Yes, it *is* nice that they send me the latest whatever they have released. And yes, I *will* tweet and blog about it when I feel like I have something to say that is of value to you, or me (lest I forget that this blog actually *is* a personal outlet for me).

But part of the relationship is me telling THEM what I think.

Case in point, a few months ago, Nintendo brought a few of us in to talk about various issues, with one part of the meeting focused on their marketing, and various things came up with the various ladies in attendance.

And even though we were all different, at least from the moms in the group – a theme emerged:

– Wii feels more family-friendly, not just geeks locked in their room playing games all night. (OK, Wii is that too, but who is counting??)

– We use the Wii to negotiate for chores vs. screen time.

– Nintendo as a brand feels fun, snarky, goofy – and should never lose sight of that, that they should keep their edge.

Do you see these things in their “RAD MOM” holiday spot?

There has been a ton of talk about brand relationships in the past year. And I get a bunch of weird pitches, just like many of you do. Honestly, many of them I simply ignore because I simply don’t have time to deal with someone who doesn’t value my time.

And then, yes, there are some I talk to, but it doesn’t work out for one reason or the other. Repeat after me, IT’S OK TO SAY NO. And it should be no biggie on either side, it’s just not the right fit. I am not looking for free product, I am not a review blogger. I mean no offense to anyone who is – it’s just not my bag.

I do however, enjoy relationships, and maybe they’ll just be “one-offs” for something I am interested in for the short-term, like an event or trying a product that is new or relevant to my life. Repeat after me, IT’S OK TO HAVE A QUICKIE. As long as you both are upfront about expectations going in. I always say I reserve the right to be me, and hopefully we enjoy each other for a little while.

And then there are the few companies that you really get along with, and who have products that make sense in your life, even if they are somewhat “frivolous” like a gaming system (let’s not forget that I co-own a web development firm and my husband teaches college-level game design). Repeat after me: IT’S OK TO “SELL OUT” WITH A BRAND, IF IT’S THE RIGHT FIT.

In a brand “relationship,” there is more give and take on both sides, in this case with Nintendo and their social media firm Brand About Town – thus we talk more often, we get to know each other, and we keep each others’ secrets. (You guessed it, Nintendo has some exciting stuff coming in 2011, but I can’t talk about it yet).

And *maybe* if you are really lucky, your “Christmas present” from the brand will be seeing your ideas up there, on the big screen, incorporated into their next ad campaign.

Pretty rad.

P.S. Always on the up and up, I wanna disclose I received a monetary stipend and expenses covered for the on-site meeting I refer to in this post.