John Kruk recruited for Nokia Lumia 900 advert, Thom Gruhler as Corporate Vice President WP marketing

Former baseball star and current ESPN baseball Analyst John Kruk has apparently been recruited by Nokia to appear in one of their Nokia Lumia 900 adverts. Interesting to note that Kruk is a popular twitter user who isn’t on the usual iPhone or BlackBerry but is on Android. He seems to think that Nokia’s WP Lumia is very cool. Well I guess he’d have to if he’s agreeing to do an advert for them.

http://www.wpcentral.com/baseball-legend-john-kruk-recruited-nokia-lumia-900-commercial

Speaking of filming ads, did anyone know what happened for that thing Nokia filmed in downtown LA last week?

http://mynokiablog.com/2012/03/13/nokia-filming-in-down-town-los-angeles-this-wednesday/

Whilst we’re on the subject of WP/Lumia marketing, Microsoft have appointed Thom Gruhler as Corporate Vice President of Windows Phone (looking after marketing). Gruhler previously served as global managing partner of Telecom & Technology at McCann Worldwide Group.

“I’m excited to be joining an outstanding team at Windows Phone that has built an amazing product, which is starting to turn heads in a very competitive market. When you put a Windows Phone into someone’s hands they love it, which is the ideal place to start as a marketer. I’m looking forward to working with the team to build consumer awareness and excitement for Windows Phone products and the overall brand”

http://www.wpcentral.com/thom-gruhler-be-corporate-vice-president-windows-phone-marketing

You may remember his work, the iconic ‘Can You Hear Me Now?’ campaign from Verizon.

The challenge being reiterated is to increase positive awareness of the brand. They’re happy with the very positive consumer reaction once people try the phone, but it’s just a case of getting people to try in the first place. And of course, the only WP we would like them to try would be from Nokia.

A lot of the comments over at WPCentral are complaining about MS’s poor marketing (and likewise for Nokia prior to their new Lumia focus). We don’t just want any old ads. We don’t just want a barrage of ads. We want clear, concise ads that are make the PRODUCT memorable, likeable, consistently good and desirable. Seemingly simple criteria which as far as Nokia and MS have been concerned, have been pretty poor. Nokia have improved, though their localised web promotions for Amazing Everyday by Nokia Australia have been tainting the brand with their silly out of focus and random nothing videos.

http://mynokiablog.com/2012/03/16/videos-the-amazing-everyday-lame-try-again-nokia-australia/

Source: wpcentral (2)

Cheers Viipottaja for the tip!

Category: Nokia, Windows Phone