Thanks are in order. First to Marlon, Alan and Adam from SEGA Europe’s in-house QA team.

They helped us out with some advice for a web project we’ve got in the works at the moment, but while we chatted we were blown away by their enthusiasm for Secret Rings. Especially considering the well-documented rigours of the lengthy testing process involved in producing a game.

So we asked them if they’d like to write something for the blog about the game and they duly delivered. Scroll down for their posts. Cheers, guys.

Secondly, thanks to Justin and Dave. Justin heads up SEGA Europe’s online team, while Dave looks after our sports titles on the web. They both pitched up this morning wearing Sonic T-shirts, revealing at a stroke their true allegiance to the hedgehog. Say cheese!

SEGA Europe (that’s us) have just hooked up with MSN (that’s these guys) to proffer some really cool Sonic goodies to liven up their users’ MSN Messenger experience.

Use Messenger? Course you do. All you need to do is click the little gift icon at the bottom of a conversation window, and select the featured Sonic theme pack.

Simple as that. But not only that!

Once you’ve got the Sonic background and animated display picture installed, you might also see - right at the bottom of the window - a link to win a serious quantity of Sonic-related prizes. (There are other little ad banners that crop up down there, but keep an eye out for the Sonic one.)

We’re giving away 40 Xbox 360s and 75 PSPs, plus runners-up will be getting one of 35 Sonic the Hedgehog goody bags.

Can’t be bad. The competition will run for three months, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your entry in. And don’t forget, pass the theme pack onto your Messenger contacts and help us spread the good word!

Hi all,

We’re just a week away from Sonic The Hedgehog’s debut on next-gen hardware. It’s a great milestone for the blue hero, particularly during his 15th anniversary year!

Thanks for the comments we received from the last marketing post. It’s good to hear points of view from the Sonic fan community and we will aim to keep this blog busy with posts which are of interest.

In addition to the exciting TV, print and online activity (including the new Sonic Blognik of course!), we have also produced a range of in-store materials. Based on the artwork from the packaging, we have used Sonic as the main focus to produce posters, cubes, standees and product display units. All these things will appear in shops from launch day nationwide in the UK and across Europe.

Here’s some examples…

But let’s not forget Sonic’s other debut - his first appearance on PSP next month in Sonic Rivals. We have a great print ad for starters, with Sonic and his new rival, Silver, battling it out. This will go to print shortly across Europe (except the UK, which will be running an alternative but very interesting campaign. Keep those eyes peeled!).

Here’s a preview.

So… keep your eyes and ears out - November should be a busy month for Sonic spotting!

Michele, SEGA Brand Marketing