Sony Computer Entertainment has set its shields on to “double front” status as they attempt to deflect accusations of posting racist advertisements for the PSP. The ads appear in the Netherlands and market the new “ceramic white” color. The ad depicts two women, one with light skin and the other with dark skin. The Caucasian woman is clasping the woman of color tightly by the jaw. The text below the photo says, “PlayStation Portable White is coming."
Sony has responded in its defense by saying, "The marketing campaign for the launch of the White PSP in the Benelux focuses on the contrast between the Black PSP model and the new Ceramic white PSP model. A variety of different treatments have been created as a campaign to either highlight the whiteness of the new model or contrast the black and the white models. Central to this campaign has been the creation of some stunningly photographed imagery that has been used on large billboards throughout Holland,” according to statements made to Game Industry.
The Sony spokesperson further elaborated on the innocent nature of the ads. "All of the 100 or so images created for the campaign have been designed to show this contrast in colours of the PSPs, and have no other message or purpose." At the moment, the ads have only appeared in Holland. When the U.K. office of Sony was contacted, a representative said, "I would like to confirm that we categorically are not running this advert creative in the UK."
