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Google Home Gets 'Beauty & The Beast' Promo But Google Says It's Not an Ad (marketingland.com)

Posted by msmash on from the interesting-marketing dept.

Danny Sullivan, reporting for MarketingLand: Ask Google Home what your day is like today, and it will remind you that Disney's Beauty and the Beast is opening today. Google says this isn't an ad. But it's definitely an out-of-the-ordinary cooperation with a Google Home "partner." The promotion was spotted by Bryson Meunier, whose child was definitely excited to hear the news delivered by Google Home. "This isn't an ad; the beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales," a spokesperson said. The company doesn't list Disney as one of its partners on Google Home website, the report adds.

13 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. Welp, that makes my decision. by gweilo8888 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I was considering buying one of these for my kitchen. I'm not any more. I have no interest in adding more unsolicited advertising to my life.

    1. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by ctilsie242 · · Score: 2

      I have no need for one of these things. My smartphone can do voice stuff, why do I need another appliance that always listens and always uploads what is around it? If I want another device to watch what I do, I'll just buy another microwave.

    2. Re:Welp, that makes my decision. by lgw · · Score: 2

      f I want another device to watch what I do, I'll just buy another microwave.

      No, no, you need a Nest thermostat in every room to watch you have sex, and some "smart" device in the bathroom to watch you poop. Can't we have some more enthusiasm around here for the internet of things that watch you poop?

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  2. Umm, yes, it is an ad. by davecotter · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "This isn't an ad" Umm, yes, it is. This is doublespeak.

    1. Re:Umm, yes, it is an ad. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Like how NPR doesn't have ads, they have 30 second messages from "contributors".

  3. Renumeration by nightfire-unique · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Did Google receive any renumeration in exchange for inserting the message? If yes, then it is an ad. Full stop.

    --
    A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    1. Re:Renumeration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's an ad, but not for Disney. It's an ad for Google Home. They did it so potential advertisers can see how "naturally" it can slip ads into people's lives in a new way.

  4. Playing with fire by nightfire-unique · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Google is playing with fire here...

    I was quite literally just about to buy a Google Home speaker, but will hold off for now to see how this plays out. I don't do ads, and many millions of others also don't do ads.

    Greed may kill this product yet.

    --
    A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
  5. Just like Google Now... by Zargg · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm guessing those people have searched Beauty and the Beast while signed in to Chrome at some point. And just like Google Now cards, it's an update to a product that showed interest in, so it is brought up with the question of what's happening today. One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc.

    1. Re:Just like Google Now... by jareth-0205 · · Score: 2

      I'm guessing those people have searched Beauty and the Beast while signed in to Chrome at some point. And just like Google Now cards, it's an update to a product that showed interest in, so it is brought up with the question of what's happening today. One part Ad yes, but I don't think they would do it specifically for Beauty and the Beast, it may very well be a new regular response with others like: "That console you've been researching is released today" "That TV you price checked is on sale today", "That show you like has a new episode today", etc.

      That is some backflipping you're doing there to excuse this. I'm usually reticent to jump on the bash-Google bandwagon, but this is pretty clearly a blatant advert. Listen to the wording and the music, it's not a 'helpful' message like the examples you give. In a reddit post author says "I don't believe I've done any searching for the film either, so I think it's not due to perceived interest."

  6. Damn, Google by JohnFen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    At least have enough respect for people to be honest. Don't lie straight to our faces with that "it's not an ad" bullshit.

  7. Just...wow by spire3661 · · Score: 3, Funny

    “By the way, Disney’s live action Beauty and The Beast opens today. In this version of the story, Belle is the inventor instead of Maurice. That rings truer if you ask me. For some more movie fun, ask me something about Belle.”

    If this is 'Assistant' speaking, why is it giving OPINIONS on gender? If you read this as marketing copy, its easier to stomach, marketdroids are used to feeding you an opinion. However, if you take it as YOUR Assistant, the message is MUCH creepier. Its like hiring a secretary and them constantly saying 'brought to you by Carls Jr.'

    Either Assistant is a servant, or a salesperson, it cannot be both.

    --
    Good-bye
  8. weasel words by mr.dreadful · · Score: 2

    " invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales.." Ah, so this is a free showing?