Sony faked a PSP fan site in an attempt to market its already popular portable.
Implications - The site in question was called "AllIWantForXmasIsAPSP.com" and was supposedly made by two random friends. The site had downloadable PSP cards, t-shirt transfers and a YouTube video that had one "fan" freestyle rapping about the faming console.
Unfortunately for Sony, the sham website was discovered to be run by them and not by genuine fans of the product. They finally confessed that the "user-generated" website was a part of "a marketing campaign designed to promote the PSP run-up to Christmas." Authenticity falls apart when everyone finds out you're faking it.
Hopefully Sony learned a lesson about pulling the wool over consumer's eyes.
Fake Fan Sites
Sony Fakes Authenticity
Trend Themes
1. Authenticity Verification - Businesses must consider ways to prove their authenticity and avoid deceiving consumers.
2. Genuine Communications - Honest communication between businesses and customers is paramount to create authentic marketing campaigns.
3. Transparency Promotion - Transparency can motivate consumer action and will result in more loyal and dedicated customers.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising companies need to develop authentic campaigns to keep customers engaged and loyal.
2. Consumer Electronics - Consumer electronics companies must genuinely engage their customers to avoid distrust, maintaining essential consumer ties.
3. Social Media Platforms - Social media giants need to develop tools to prevent businesses from creating fake content and deceiving users, in turn, fostering a more transparent online environment.