Marketing Video Games to Women - Kinect

It's not often I find a technology product that scores an "A" in marketing to women, but Kinect makes the grade. Here's why Kinect does a superb job of marketing video games to women.

How Kinect is marketing to women

• Great name. It's very close to "connect" one of women's favorite words. Kinect also has cool simple sound to it.
• Commercials focus on people, not the technology. Look at all of the Kinect commercials, and the solid focus is on people and their enjoyment of the game. You see very few shots of the game itself. (The game itself is usually the main focus of video game commercials rather than the users). When marketing technology to women, focus on the effects of the technology rather than the technology itself

• Kinect stresses how easy it is to get started. Marketing messaging focuses on how easy it is to get started and jump right in. There isn't a big learning curve in order to enjoy the game. Women (and a lot of men) may not want to invest a lot of time learning before they can use technology.
• It's a shared activity. In almost every marketing image you see multiple people using the game. Kinect knows women want activities that bring people together rather than isolate them.
• Website with female friendly design. The Kinect website features several website design elements that women love - multiple bright colors, good use of white space, images of women, curved design elements, video front and center, and a focus on the benefits women value most - ease of use, fun that's good for you and customer review ratings from Amazon (which they've also added to their new TV commercial - bravo!)

When it comes to marketing video games to women, Kinect has a true winner. I could see this case being studied in marketing degree programs. And here's the added bonus, guys will respond well to this marketing as well. Do guys enjoy group activities, games that are easy to jump right in and use, focusing on the enjoyment and thrill you get rather than just focusing on the game itself? You betcha.

No matter what technology product you're marketing to women, you can learn a lesson from Kinect's highly successful efforts.

Comments

[Wilshire]

Just for your information Men also want activities that bring people together rather than isolate them.
You didn't want to risk offending women by claiming want also want devices that are simplistic so apply the same thinking to men.
We don't want to isolate ourselves.

I have to say it is good to see gaming advertising that is for everyone. Nintendo have been failing on this point for years in the UK by trying to sell to women by having them beat and taunt the men playing with them. Nice move to isolate your main demographic.

[Wilshire]

I meant - claiming men also want devices that are simplistic to learn

[Holly Buchanan]

That's why this campaign is so great - it's focused on features a lot of people enjoy. It's a great example of how creating an experience that women enjoy can also create an experience men enjoy as well. It does not have to be either or.

thanks for bringing up some great points.

[Swantraveller]

Whether this commercial appeals to women because it is a shared activity, or the issue of whether this appeals more to men or women can be a subject of an interesting debate but one things remains true - Kinect is an awesome game! Good job for examining several aspects of this video game in such detailed and keen evaluation.

[Mario Games]

Nice Blog. Keep posting more

Regards

[seo melbourne]

It's very close to "connect" one of women's favorite words.I have to say it is good to see gaming advertising that is for everyone. It does not have to be either or Nice Blog. Keep posting.I recently came across your site and have been reading along.