Delman named chief Microsoft marketer

By Tom Magrino, GameSpot
Posted Jun 24, 2008 5:37 pm PT

Publisher promotes former head of global advertising to role formerly held by Jeff Bell.

Earlier this month, Microsoft revealed a substantial shake-up in its executive ranks. Shane Kim, who has lorded over Microsoft Game Studios since 2004, was given a nod as the company's new head of the interactive entertainment division and former Microsoft Game Studios Europe GM Phil Spencer was named as his replacement. It wasn't all promotions, though, as Microsoft's interactive entertainment business marketing chief Jeff Bell parted ways with the company after two years in the position.

Michael Delman

Today, the hole in Microsoft's top executive ranks was shaded in, as the publisher announced Michael Delman will assume Bell's mouthful title of corporate vice president of global marketing for the interactive entertainment business in the entertainment and devices division. Beginning in August, Delman will lead Microsoft's global marketing efforts for the Xbox and Games for Windows divisions.

No stranger to the global marketing scene, Delman has 20 years experience building and selling worldwide brands. Most recently, the executive managed global advertising, relationship marketing, and events for "the majority of Microsoft's business groups." Prior to that role, Delman held the role of director of marketing for Microsoft Europe, Middle East, and Africa, where he was in charge of the publisher's distribution and public relations presence in those regions.

32 Comments

mpeg3s
Posted Jul 1, 2008 6:28 pm PT

Good luck, his job won't last long if it depends on Japan.
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Walroar
Posted Jun 30, 2008 6:39 pm PT

AHAHAHAHAHAHA~!!!! so funny! DELMAN is some kind of public transportation in my country. Basically it's some kind of wagon train pulled by horses. And they're still operating now!!!
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thenephariouson
Posted Jun 29, 2008 3:34 am PT

Given the current 'Saturation' levels & time its been available (over 2 years), this seems like a 'Desperate act' on MS's behalf in my eyes. I think they should leave the price as it is as i think reducing the cost even more will begin to 'Cheapen' the 360, ultimately you get what you pay for. PS, i love my 360 and would never consider swapping it for any other console. I also think that instead of concentrating on the 360 pricing this guy should concentrate on 'Live' and look at subsidising future MMOG's & 'Netflix' subscriptions with our 'Gold' membership fees, that would surely be a master stroke in my eyes.
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_guenter_26
Posted Jun 28, 2008 10:39 pm PT

I hope they decides to stop making the Arcade 360 because it is usless and with the suposed Pro price cut to $300 it would have to be lowered to $250 or less to sale.
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raze-boi
Posted Jun 26, 2008 4:12 am PT

Hope this can improve MS' sales.
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cwhas2godhands
Posted Jun 25, 2008 3:13 pm PT

dmish82 Here's how the 360 can continue to be successful: Keep releasing games.
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cwhas2godhands
Posted Jun 25, 2008 11:34 am PT

Maybe Microsoft can start showing commercials featuring games that have not been released yet, and will not be released anytime soon.
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wmc540
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:54 am PT

Does that fit on his business card?
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Guts5
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:50 am PT

What I was saying is that Sony ad is one of the worst ads ever created. It implies a lot of negative stuff and all of it is bad. That's why it was pulled.

I was only using it as an example that I don't think advertising makes much of a difference, unless it is a level playing field. I don't think some people can look at a product and base their purchase purly on the product. Polotics, biases, and things like that come into play for a lot of people. Like I said though, we shall see if it makes any difference to MS.
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dmish82
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:45 am PT

@Guts5
"Here is that Sony white dominating black ad and it didn't make much of a difference to Europeans. http://www.i-mockery.com/blabber/pics/psp-white-ad1.jpg"

It seems to have worked very well in the US. I see it at every Target being played on a loop everytime I walk in. I have to admit it looks cool every time too. What works is that it shows gameplay footage from the AAA PS3 titles. I really think MS needs to do the same thing so that consumers say "hey, these games look pretty cool. I want a 360".
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GoldenRamoth
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:43 am PT

Good system, great products, fun games, corrupt officials. don't need to monopolize everything. That's why the Europeans sued.
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Guts5
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:09 am PT

Here is that Sony white dominating black ad and it didn't make much of a difference to Europeans. http://www.i-mockery.com/blabber/pics/psp-white-ad1.jpg
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sauses3392
Posted Jun 25, 2008 9:50 am PT

I live in a town called delran... interesting...
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CVM_123
Posted Jun 25, 2008 9:41 am PT

Africa?
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ChuckNorris82
Posted Jun 25, 2008 9:21 am PT

Hmmmmmmm.........
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dmish82
Posted Jun 25, 2008 8:37 am PT

@ Guts5

I actually think marketing will play a big role in the sales of the system. For the 360 to continue it's success, I believe it needs to do a few things as far as marketing is concerned.

1) It needs to broaden it's user-base and let people know it's not just a console for FPS.
2) It needs to sway the ppl that haven't jumped to next-gen yet. These people are the people with their huge PS2 library of games that they will still want to play. 3) They need to advertise their lineup of games. They have a well-established game base and need to market that, especially with Sony's huge 2008 and 2009 game release schedule.
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Guts5
Posted Jun 25, 2008 7:58 am PT

We'll see if it makes a difference. Up until last month the 360 was the #1 overall selling console in the USA. So, they were and are doing a great job here.

I don't really think marketting is the issue with the rest of the world. No one has done as bad of a job as Sony. Let's not forget the white woman dominating a black woman in a bell hop outfit... that Sony did over in Europe. They did something else recently, but I forgot. At any rate, PS3 passed the 360 in Europe in spite of that horribly disgusting marketing in Europe. I suspect their are other motives at play, perhaps the relatively recent lawsuit against MS over in Europe, or the on going war, etc... I dunno, but it sure isn't advertising, because Sony did some MAJOR no nos.

I've spoken plenty about the bias of Japan, so no need to beat that dead horse.

Maybe I'll be shown that I am wrong if this guy can make a difference in the world wide market, but I doubt it.
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Irve
Posted Jun 25, 2008 6:00 am PT

goody ... can we expect some sort of marketing push to boost the profile and sales of the 360 ... if sony overtakes the 360 worldwide sales this year then the life of the 360 will be about 2 years shorter than it should be !
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ddt88
Posted Jun 25, 2008 5:49 am PT

What ever...
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snakes3425
Posted Jun 25, 2008 1:23 am PT

Advertising has never been Microsoft's strong point. Especally because the majority of their products are for buisnesses and home offices.
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Phazevariance
Posted Jun 25, 2008 12:28 am PT

Show me some new games in development!!
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javierkatana
Posted Jun 24, 2008 9:51 pm PT

For the, record, this guy was one of the masterminds, that created "The state of the XBOX" blog back in the days, which was one of the reasons I became an of an evil company.
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CorruptGamerGX
Posted Jun 24, 2008 9:07 pm PT

Jump In.
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RangerG
Posted Jun 24, 2008 8:51 pm PT

Finally. We are being killed in the advertising department compared to Sony and Nintendo.
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Ton77
Posted Jun 24, 2008 8:44 pm PT

MS is Starting to be smart i see. lets see where this gets them hopefully good.
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HVPinc
Posted Jun 24, 2008 8:38 pm PT

Uh ho...

Global scene means either well thought out successful expansion;
or stupidly investing only to fail on all fronts.
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skylar561169
Posted Jun 24, 2008 8:35 pm PT

hopefully microsoft will come out with the jasper soon and give the xbox the pricecut it needs to get back in the game with sony and especially nintendo.
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09231991
Posted Jun 24, 2008 7:23 pm PT

MS is definitely moving people around. Hopefully this will work out for the best which it most likely will.
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cowman_53
Posted Jun 24, 2008 7:23 pm PT

People buy games in Africa??????????
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combatsoldier
Posted Jun 24, 2008 7:06 pm PT

This should definitely work out for the best in the long run.
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kos1085
Posted Jun 24, 2008 6:04 pm PT

Hopefully this works out for the best
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PandaBear86
Posted Jun 24, 2008 5:51 pm PT

Lets hope it all goes well for the Xbox 360.
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