Nintendo of Europe today issued a press release unveiling their pre christmas 35 Million Euro marketing campaign. Read on...

PRESS RELEASE:

Nintendo is set to reveal an enormous and hugely impactful marketing campaign in the run up to Christmas. In a far-reaching and innovative campaign, Nintendo are investing 35 million Euros across Europe in high impact marketing activities. The campaign is expected to drive NINTENDO GAMECUBE sales, create noise around the Game Boy Advance SP, drive software sales and focus on some of Nintendo's top games in the key Christmas period.

NINTENDO GAMECUBE Price Reduction

On 3rd October Nintendo announced that they were reducing the price of the NINTENDO GAMECUBE to a fantastic price of around �79. Sales of the console soared instantly, with 10 times more consoles being sold in the first week of the new price across Europe. This move will ensure a dramatic increase in software and hardware sales in the run up to Christmas and beyond.

This new price point initiative has been supported by a major TV campaign and a heavy weight radio campaign across the UK and will continue to be supported by an online marketing presence over the next eight weeks.

NINTENDO GAMECUBE software

Nintendo has an impressive and exciting software line up for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE in the run up to Christmas, with the much anticipated arrival of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, F-Zero GX, 1080� Avalanche and Mario Party 5. Nintendo are also launching an exclusive Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Limited Edition Pak, containing a NINTENDO GAMECUBE, a copy of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! plus a Special Five Game limited edition 'The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition' disc.

In the UK the launch of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! will be supported by a heavyweight TV campaign targeting kids and families, plus activity driving the Mario Kart hardware bundle, print advertising and PR. In addition, in-store activity surrounding Mario Kart: Double Dash!! will be huge, with in-store playable demos, in store FSDUs and posters and impressive semi permanent displays in retailers across the UK. F-Zero GX, 1080� Avalanche and Mario Party 5 will also have print, online, in store and PR support throughout the UK.

As part of Nintendo UK's biggest kids campaign of the year, it has partnered with Cartoon Network to create "Base Nintendo". Running continuously for four months, Base Nintendo is the place for kids to go online and get all the latest news, clues and action for the exciting NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Game Boy Advance games coming out this winter.

Base Nintendo ads will appear on air and online in the UK, informing kids of what is new each week. Kids can go online at www.basenintendo.co.uk and interact with the games with downloadable screenshots, movies, as well as games, hints and great competitions.

Player's Choice

The diverse Player's Choice range for NINTENDO GAMECUBE includes Metroid Prime, Super Mario Sunshine, Starfox Adventures, Mario Party 4, Luigi's Mansion, Super Smash Bros. Melee and Pikmin as well as James Bond Nightfire, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, Medal of Honor: Frontline and FIFA Football 2003 from EA. Only available for NINTENDO GAMECUBE, the new range of titles offer something for everyone at the unbeatable price of around �19.99. In the UK the Player's Choice range will also be a primary marketing focus, with TV, internet, radio, and PR supporting the launch of the key Nintendo games in the range.

Game Boy Advance SP

The Game Boy Advance SP is receiving full marketing support this Christmas with heavyweight print and online campaigns for both the console and the software titles.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 will be a key game for kids this Christmas and will be promoted through a four week heavy cinema campaign in 'Finding Nemo' along with kids print, gaming print and online as part of Base Nintendo. Pokémon will continue to be a key focus for Nintendo as it promotes Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, as well as Pokémon Pinball in the run up to Christmas. Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire will be supported by kids TV, print and online presence, also part of Base Nintendo.

Launching on 28th November 2003 are Pokémon Ruby and the Pokémon Sapphire Super Paks. Each Super Pak contains a limited edition branded Pokémon Game Boy Advance SP, a branded Pokémon Game Boy Advance SP case and a copy of either Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire dependent on which Super Pak is purchased.

Promoting a range of 'intelligent' games for the Game Boy Advance to 'strategic thinkers' will also play a key part of the strategy. Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will be supported in gaming print, men's lifestyle, film media and highbrow media. There will also be a new Game Boy Advance range advert appearing in men's lifestyle media including FHM, GQ and The Face.

Third Party Support

A heavy weight third party support campaign is also in place to drive awareness of key third party publisher game releases for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Games included in the campaign are Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg from SEGA, Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike from LucasArts and Viewtiful Joe from Capcom. There is also a marketing support campaign with EA for Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup, The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King, The Sims Bustin' Out, FIFA Football 2004 and Medal of Honor Rising Sun.

Nintendo is also the official sponsor of the International Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup Video Game Tournament being held by EA, with the International Grand Final taking place in the UK in December.

Christmas 2003 is guaranteed to be an exciting time for Nintendo, so watch this space!