December 6, 2005

PSP Graffiti: Let’s Not Read Too Much Into This

The reaction by the blogosphere to the article in yesterday’s Wired Online demonstrates a huge weakness in blogging - an eagerness to spread gossip rather than apply judgement. Various Sony PSP graffiti ads in San Francisco have been daubed and graffitied over and the blogosphere has been fast to highlight this and denounce the campaign.

Sony just didn’t go out with a spray can one night and daub the walls. Sony PSP paid for all the space.

For a long time street artists have been courting ad agencies for work -
and then when one agency makes a noticeable campaign - then suddenly there’s a witch hunt against PSP by the blogs

We should be very careful about how to read the situation. San Francisco is a wonderful city with a thirst for culture unlike many American cities - and at the same time it harbors a counter culture rarely seen in any city too. To find that the art kids in San Fran didn’t like the commercialization of street art isn’t that surprising. Let them have their say - but recognize that it’s the kids of San Fran saying it, not the US. As far as I know, until now, this attack on the PSP ads hasn’t appeared elsewhere - but reading the blogs you’d think the whole nation is rising in revolt (and maybe they will now).

To criticize Sony for taking a graffiti inspired creative route is naive. Criticize the creative or even the media planning but bloggers please don’t suddenly make news bigger than it really is.

Wired Online Article