MavPR Blogging: Why Traditional Agency Structure Fails

Posted by PR_Flak in Maverick Thoughts, Video Game Public Relations      Comments Off

Jan
21

Over on PR_Flak’s Flak Attak, Matt takes the PR industry to task about the traditional structure of agencies and the reliance on junior staff members for execution.

As you can see on our front page, MavPR’s philosophy has always been “…only the most veteran professionals provide superior PR work.” This commitment to senior level expertise means we avoid the failures inherent with delegating primary execution of activities to inexperienced staff members.

Unfortunately for a lot of game companies that hire external PR, most PR agencies don’t follow the same belief system – it’s too expensive for them to do so.  Not so for MavPR.

Below are some excerpts; for the entire blog, head over here now.

• “Traditional PR agency structure is designed to be most cost-effective when the most inexperienced people do the most work.  The more hours an AAE puts in on your game versus a VP, the more profitable it is to the agency.  Take a moment and do the math on what that means for your game.”

• “So if you’re a typical game publisher or developer with a game that needs promoting, you will most likely enter a new biz pitch with a traditional video game PR agency.  They will arrive flush with seemingly impressive people, including the [president] and [vice presidents]; a remote office (probably in NY, LA or SF) on speaker phone; and an [account director] who sports a furrowed brow and is nodding his head – in understanding – while furiously taking notes as you speak…

• …But the hard truth is, this army of “senior” PR people will be the ones to lock down your business, but they will NOT be the ones working on your game.  The kid back at the office making copies of the pitch PPT is getting ready to make phone calls on your behalf.”

Maybe it’s time for YOU to try something new?

- PR_Flak

Maverick <3s Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

Posted by Grok in Maverick PR Business      Comments Off

Jan
20

Well, if you know me, you know I love a good RPG and a good puzzle game.  And, just to make sure that I maintain my 1337 street cred after letting those facts slip, I will still hand you your ass in just about any FPS title!

Anyway, back to the point — RPGs and Puzzle Games.  We’re really excited to be working with our friends at D3 Publisher on their upcoming sequel Puzzle Quest: Galactrix.  Galactrix is the sequel to last year’s hit Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, which I loved, if that wasn’t already apparent.  It’s a surprisingly fun and addictive combination of puzzle game and RPG-like character growth and adventure.

While Warlords was set in a fantasy universe based on the old Warlords franchise, the new Galactrix will take gamers into space with an entirely new gameboard and a new set of mind-bending puzzle moves.  Here’s a screen.

Color me excited!

-Grok

Maverick on Gamer 2.0

Posted by Grok in Maverick PR Business, Video Game Public Relations      Comments Off

Jan
19

Gamer 2.0 is an up-and-coming and highly intriguing site focused on marrying coverage of the video game business, the various aspects video game consumerism and even the social ramifications of gaming itself with a look to the future.  Of course, they’ve also mixed in a healthy dose of traditional “here’s what we think of this game” news, previews and reviews for good measure.

We like that editorial mix!

Amadeo Plaza (what a great name!) the publisher of Gamer 2.0 recently put together an interesting, if somewhat short, look at the coming clash between casual and hardcore gaming from both a business and consumer angle.  He asked Maverick to participate with a few thoughts…and since we’re never short of opinions, we agreed!

Here’s the story: Hardcore vs Casual

read more

The New Economy and Emerging Business Models

Posted by PR_Flak in Maverick PR Business      Comments Off

Jan
14

Yes, I could have made that headline more appealing, but I’m not trying to hook new readers here, right?

We’re really excited that the “mainstream” is starting to pick up on the business trend that started emerging last year — namely that companies are looking for innovative ways to cut costs while improving results and freelancers and “micro-boutiques” are emerging as the answer.

Luckily for us – we’re right in the middle of it!  Maverick PR’s philosophy is and has always been “Less Overhead, More In The Head” — meaning that we can deliver better results for less money due to our innovative business model and years of experience. read more

MavPR Update: Universal and Wanted

Posted by PR_Flak in Maverick PR Business      Comments Off

Jan
5

We’re really excited and proud to say that we enter the new year working closely with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group on their video game initiative and specifically on their upcoming game Wanted: Weapons of Fate.

We originally paired with Uni right before E3 last year to give Wanted: Weapons of Fate a proper announcement and first showing.  In only a week of work managed to secure a full slate of meetings, solid  first-look coverage and big, coordinated exclusives with both IGN and Game Informer.

Since E3, we’ve continued to work alongside Universal in a new role – overseeing the publisher’s PR work from a licensor perspective.  This is a true role reversal for us as we are used to being in-house and working to meet the expectations of our licensors.

MavPR has a history with Universal going back to Matt’s days at Sierra launching Scarface: The World is Yours — a successful pairing which turned out to produce the biggest launch in the company’s history, with the game selling nearly 4 million units worldwide.

It’s especially rewarding for us to be able to continue our working relationships across projects. We always strive to build long-lasting partnerships with our clients, and Universal has been exceptional to work with.

- PR_Flak