New Vice President of Global Marketing Appointed at Microsoft

[fitbabits]

Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com) is reporting that Microsoft have appointed a new VP of global marketing. Jeff Bell (for it is he) will report directly to Peter Moore.

You can read the full article here (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9613).

Microsoft announced the appointment of Jeff Bell as its new corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business, reporting directly to Peter Moore, corporate vice president for the overall Interactive Entertainment Business, effective June 12, 2006. The Interactive Entertainment Business includes the Xbox and Games for Windows businesses and is part of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division.

Bell joins Microsoft from DaimlerChrysler, where he served most recently as vice president of product strategy for the Chrysler Group.

..........

"Jeff brings a unique mix of consumer experience and innovation to the Interactive Entertainment Business," commented Moore. "His accomplishments at DaimlerChrysler, including the creation of its owner loyalty program, his track record in driving automotive video game strategies, and his influence on urban marketing plans, are indicators of his expertise and leadership."
Ach! There's that horrible term again - urban marketing. Aside from that, it looks to me like Microsoft are really beginning to gear up for the crucial upcoming holiday season in the US, which will see the launch of both the PS3 and Wii. Not to mention Gears of War and other AAA titles for the Xbox 360. Interesting times ahead.

[Paranoia]

MS should hire that lady who quit Sony.

[Doctor Setebos]

VP of product strategy for Chrysler, huh? Was this guy responsible for that monstrocity of a vehicle that is the PT Cruiser? If so, I see a bleak future for Microsoft. :D

And I agree that "urban marketing" is a PR buzzword that really needs to die.

[Citizen Philip]

Thank goodness for gaming marketing. Without marketing I didn't know I was allowed to be cool while sitting locked up in my house playing games.

[darkwarrior]

Funny, I think if this was news for Sony it would read quite differently.

"Looks like Sony is desperately trying to cling to whats left of their pride, gearing up for their near launch against the already amazing Xbox 360 and all the AAA titles they are getting nearly a year into launch compared to all the horrible crap that will be available on both 360 and PS3 but be much worse on Sony's console.

Hiring this guy is just their desperate last bid for survival".


Then again I might be being bias against EA.

[Heretic Machine]

Wow, he'll report directly to Peter Moore? What a friggin honor that must be! I'm sure he'll be able to pick up such fine marketing strategies as mocking your customers, and telling them that what they want doesn't matter!

[Doctor Setebos]

Wow, he'll report directly to Peter Moore? What a friggin honor that must be! I'm sure he'll be able to pick up such fine marketing strategies as mocking your customers, and telling them that what they want doesn't matter!Peter Moore: [waves hand] You don't want backwards compatability.
Customers: Uh, actually, I do.
Peter Moore: [waves hand] No you don't.
Customers: But you promised it to us!
Peter Moore: [waves hand] No I didn't.
Customers: Will you stop that!

:D

[bapenguin]

Peter Moore: [waves hand] You don't want backwards compatability.
Customers: Uh, actually, I do.
Peter Moore: [waves hand] No you don't.
Customers: But you promised it to us!
Peter Moore: [waves hand] No I didn't.
Customers: Will you stop that!

:D

LOL. That's priceless.

[SexualChoc]

Peter Moore seems to be able to spin just about anything, he got it wrong with BC thing however. Though I don't know why they this new guy when they have Peter, all I can say is I hope they don't screw up. Urban Marketing? No thank you.

[Citizen Philip]

So awesome?

[51|RandoM]

Want to see some crazy urban marketing? Check out how guinness draft is marketed compared to bottled guinness in nyc.

[Serapth]

Actually, this guys track record ( for being a Car company guy ) is very media oriented. I work in the auto industry currently so I have actually seen this guy speak once or twice.

http://www.cmomagazine.com/conferences/speakers.html?ID=241&BIO=498633

Bell was appointed Vice President - Chrysler and Jeep® in a move that consolidated Chrysler and Jeep® marketing and product planning. He is responsible for the present day operations of the two brands, their future product program development and all communications efforts. Bell previously led the Jeep brand marketing with breakthrough marketing campaigns such as HBO’s Band of Brothers and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider II. Bell spearheaded many internet initiatives, especially in the fields of gaming and e-commerce, while serving as vice president of advertising and marketing communications for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. He worked on the launch of the Dodge "Grab Life by the Horns" tagline and advertising, including the Hemi® campaign. Bell joined DaimlerChrysler Corporation from Ford Motor Company, where he most recently served as director – retail marketing and e-business. He previously served Ford of Europe as managing director – Ford Spain and director of Central Europe. Bell has an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of Business and a master’s degree in international relations and economics, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish from Kenyon College Ohio.

He was the guy responsible for creating a few Chrysler based free Xbox games, that werent actually terrible. Its about the only thing I brought back from the Detroit autoshow that year that I looked into. Obviously it didnt work on me as I still hate North American cars... but thats not his fault :)

Plus, I will say "What do you have in that thing?" ads were pretty funny... at first anyways. Plus, so far as the Big 3 North American car companies go, Chrysler is the one hurting the least right now... sad you have to word it like that. I hate hate the PT Cruiser too, but the damned things sure seem to be popular. Not to mention I see that stupid new Magnum/Charger/300 grill everyhwere these days.

[Captain Awesome]

Products with bling, bouncin' cars, ultra-violence and drugs. Minorities aren't smart enough to pick-up on mainstream "white" marketing. So we have to drop it for stereotype symbols, attitude and music.

Woohoo for marketable racism!