A new 32-second clip showed up on Google’s Nexus S YouTube channel yesterday, and the big question has been “will they advertise the Nexus S on TV?” It’s a good question: the length fits, the tune is catchy enough, and production seems to be uncharacteristically high. If Google were to advertise on TV – something they’ve only ever done once – this wouldn’t be the video to do it.
“Contour display. Gingerbread. Front and Back Camera. Unlocked. Fast is about to get faster.” It doesn’t tell anyone anything about the phone unless they are already Android fanatics. And for those who aren’t, only the words “Fast,” “Faster”, “Front,” “Back,” and “Camera” will mean anything to them.
That’s not to say Google wouldn’t advertise the Nexus S on TV, though: the Nexus One didn’t receive this type of high profile unveiling, nor did it receive the benefit of being distributed through a major retail channel. Seeing as how Best Buy will be selling this device exclusively for the time being (Carphone Warehouse in the UK will be doing the same), it’s entirely possible they could run their own campaign.
But if anything were to happen, It’d have to happen within the next week. Before the weekend, even. I don’t watch TV myself so I won’t be able to check, but many marketing majors would tell you that right now is the sweet spot for having your ads in as many places as they can be. If you don’t see a Nexus S ad playing before Monday, chances are you won’t see one. (Unless they go the Verizon route and quietly slip their devices into their usual marketing cycle after the device has already launched.)
What do you guys think?