Jason Wonacott Talking F2P Marketing at Casual Connect Asia

by Wonacott Communications

If you happen to be traversing Southeast Asia later this month, stop by Casual Connect Asia, May 22-24. Our own Jason Wonacott will be there for a session on stretching F2P game marketing dollars. Alongside his industry peeps from iQU, SEA Gaming and BBC Worldwide, Jason will moderate the panel, which will address building new user bases in today’s rapidly evolving  global games market.

Downloadable Sports Video Games: A New Generation

by Kia Gilstrap

(Source: PlayStation Network Official Site)

There is nothing quite like the feeling when you walk into your nearest electronic store to purchase the video game of your choice. This holiday season, I was particularly satisfied with my purchase of Madden 2012, where I could virtually avenge the early playoff exit of the Green Bay Packers. Luckily, in a world that includes the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, those days where you would have to save few weeks worth of pay checks to buy the video game of your choice may be long gone.

Games Wonacott Plays

by Alex Van Lepp

Because we service so many video games industry clients, Wonacotters are accustomed to playing video games both at home and at the office. In fact, we think of ourselves as a kind of a mini-focus group for what’s hot in the games world. That being said, we thought we’d give our Wonablog readers a taste of what’s trending in the office lately.

The Truth, the Whole Truth? - Social Media, Kony 2012 and Trayvon Martin

by Morgan McDowell

We all witnessed the immediate backlash during the Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood fiasco, which ultimately resulted in Planned Parenthood receiving enough donations to more than make up for the pulled grant in a single day. Social media played a crucial role in rallying support around that cause, and doing so with astonishing speed.

News outlets constantly fight for the “scoops,” the chance to break news before anyone else, but these days, social media is often miles ahead of traditional media when it comes to spreading buzz. But with that speed often comes lack of accountability.

Workin’ Like a Dog? Good!

by Elina Kaufman

(The Wonadogs hard at work!)

Boy’s Club Backlash

by Racheal Caswell

In the face of an increasing number of social-oriented games, I find myself preferring an insular experience and – unfortunately – increasingly shying away from playing certain games altogether. Something that used to be enjoyable now looms as a potentially stressful and threatening part of the culture because, despite the fact that women over the age of 25 are now the largest group of gamers in the U.S., we’re still subjected to an alarming amount of harassment and sexism by our male counterparts.

Sexism in the videogame industry is by no means a new topic. It’s been the subject of numerous articles, blog posts and even websites devoted to posting the lewd, mean and even downright disturbing messages female gamers are subject to get when playing online. This week, the conversation has flared up again, fueled by an incident on “Cross Assault,” a Capcom-sponsored reality show in which teams of Street Fighter X Tekken players compete for prizes.

Super Bowl Advertising; the Times They Are a Changing

by Alex Van Lepp

Last Sunday, more than 111 million people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl. But just a few days later, neither I nor most of the people I’ve spoken to remember much about it -- or the ads that companies spent millions of dollars to air during the broadcast. (Though I’m sure if my Chargers were playing, it would be a different story.) So I have to wonder: Is it worth it for companies like Bud Light to spend $1.2 billion to be official sponsors of the NFL or air a commercial during the Super Bowl?

How Games Publishers Can Capitalize on iPhone Versions

by John Hardin

Or 
“How Capcom Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mobile Games”

The title of this entry is taken from Capcom’s DS and iOS game, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. It is a creative puzzle game that leads players on an “interactive mystery” to catch their murderer, allowing them to manipulate inanimate objects to find clues and change the fate of other people involved in the killing. GTPD, with its unique gameplay and storytelling techniques, was released for the DS in January 2011 to critical accolades and uninspired sales.

Wait, uninspired sales? 

What Aspiring PR Pros Can Learn from “Downton Abbey”

by Nathalie Nourian

As has been documented on this very blog, I am obsessed with quite fond of the British TV phenomenon, “Downton Abbey.” This beloved series provides me an escape, a glimpse back at the Edwardian Era and major costume envy, but it also provides some good lessons for fellow lovers of period drama looking to carve out a career in PR. Here’s the scoop (WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD): 

CES the j5create Way (and the value of Unveiled)

by John Hardin

Last week I had the chance to dust off the fancy clothes in my closet and head out to the glorious Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. Oh, and while I was there, they let me attend this little show called the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). 

Let me back up a little bit. Wonacott client j5create, which makes a line of PC and Mac cross-platform transfer and KM switches (technospeak for “awesome”), was debuting new products for their sophomore year at CES, and needed some help managing press appointments. Luckily I was the chosen one to help j5create navigate the crowds at the show, and after months of preparation, I found myself in Las Vegas last Saturday...

My One-Year Wonaversary: A Reflection

by Sarah Arvizo

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house…oh wait. When I stepped into the office of Wonacott Communications, straight from The University of Texas’ sweet and safe embrace, I had only two things on my mind: Getting a job, and…getting a job. A year ago today, el jefe made that a reality for me.

10 Questions with Our Employee of the Year 2011: Nathalie Nourian

by Wonacott Communications

Anyone in the working world can tell you that receiving Employee of the Year (EOY) is not an easy feat, most especially in the field of public relations (*ahem* the second most stressful profession). It is a recognition that rewards only the most deserving of candidates, and for the year 2011, Wonacott Communications is proud to honor Nathalie Nourian, an account executive on our Interactive Entertainment and Technology practice.

10 Questions with Wonacott EOQ Chan Lim

by Wonacott Communications

Each month Wonacott honors one outstanding staffer as the Employee of the Quarter (EOQ). For the last quarter of 2011, that honoree is Assistant Account Executive Chan Lim. Chan joined Wonacott in mid-2010 as an intern while he was finishing his graduate degree in Public Relations at USC. After graduating in June 2011 he joined the agency’ s Interactive Entertainment and Technology team full time, bringing to the office a geeky affinity for fast-action role-playing games, gizmos and gadgets, and… sneakers (Chan can often be seen walking around the office in slippers, while the sneakers he wore to work rest comfortably under his desk).

Video is Great, but Showing Restraint is Better!

by John Hardin

I watched the Spike TV Video Game Awards (VGAs) a few weekends ago. They’ve become an annual TV event for gamers, much like the Emmys or Oscars are to TV and movie fans, respectively. But as is the case with the Superbowl, the vast majority of viewers are tuned in not for the awards, the eclectic nerd-themed interstitials or the less-than-A-list celebrities, but for the highly coveted commercial space available in the form of “Exclusive Trailers” for upcoming 2012 titles.

Dear Santa…

by Chan Lim

The holiday season is the only time of the year when you can officially nag about things you always wanted. So, without further ado, here’s my holiday gift guide, or things I want this holiday season.

Looking for a PR Internship? Read This.

by Jason Wonacott

I don't know a single public relations agency that doesn't hire or even rely on interns to some degree. At Wonacott interns play an integral role. Though we are light hearted and fun, we take our interns seriously…and we want them to take the job seriously, too. It’s a big reason our internships are paid. Sure our interns do stereotypical tasks such as building media lists, monitoring and tracking media coverage, but depending on their individual skill level, they also get to write and pitch media, and they are totally integrated into our account teams. We value their insight and ideas for both client and new business brainstorms, and they help keep aging Gen Xers like me more in touch with current cultural trends, lingo and technology.

Mean Girls Need Not Apply

by Sara Campbell

As many of my colleagues can attest, PR is one of those professions that defy others’ attempts to describe what it actually is. Most of us have given up trying to explain it to our parents and loved ones – they just accept that we have something to do with how companies manage what is (or isn’t) said about their products and services. And while that’s vague, it works, for the most part.