Advertising & Distribution: Overwatch + Feedback

Overwatch

The creators of Overwatch are Blizzard Entertainment. Blizzard is a subsidiary of Blizzard Activition, this conglomerate own some of the biggest video game names. For example: Treyarch, King and MLG and many more.

Blizzard uses horizontal integration to advertise Overwatch through there other  huge game titles. They did a free to play weekend of Hearth Stone. In addition to this, if you played for a certain amount of time with a team you got additional game cosmetics and items for Overwatch. This is a clever strategy because it uses duel promotion. Advertising an old game to a new audience that is drawn in by a new release is an act of cross promotion.

An example of Overwatch's traditional method of marketing is this hand-painted artwork they did in Sydney and Melbourne. Its in celebration of the game reaching over 100 game of the year awards. As a reward to the fan base they made the game free to play for 27-30th of May 2017. In addition to the billboards they featured in magazines and posters in supermarkets, game stores and hosted events promoting the game.

Overwatch used traditional distribution channels via wholesalers and retailers.

Overwatch's new media marketing is exceptional. The franchise put out frequent comics and cinematic sequences to show the audience up and coming content, and in-depth story line. Developing a relationship with the audience and the characters. Thus making it a more engrossing experience for the consumers leading to a more solid fan base. (The link below is to the first cinematic Overwatch ever released)

                                                   

                                                       https://youtu.be/FqnKB22pOC0

Since it is a video game modern distribution channels make it very easy for the consumer to buy and download the game from the comfort of their own home. Overwatch can be played on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. To access and buy the game Blizzard.net, Steam, Xbox market place and PlayStation Network  are all legitimate market places to buy the game online. However hard copies can be accesses through online retailers such as Amazon and Game.

8. What services do this and are they owned by the conglomerate or is it a joint venture?

9. What elements of synergy are evident across all platforms (e.g. logos, branding, house style, images etc).

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