Ken Graffeo - When will the axe fall?

[JAGUAR1977]

So, Mr Ken Graffeo, cheif cheerleader for HD-DVD, a man who lords attach rates over disc sales, when is the axe going to fall on this guy?

For too long we've heard his pro HD-DVD spin, time and again he has been proven wrong, for how much longer will he hold out, his studios OWN titles, and the HD-DVD format in general has been disastrous sales wise!

There comes a time when even fanboys on the red side say enoughs, enough, we're no longer buying into the spin, hard sales figure, week after week, prove Graffeos predictions to be utterly wrong.

Anyone can make a mistake, that's forgivable, but when you make those same mistakes time and again, you, and your company, loses credibilty.

So, will Graffeo be the sacrificial lamb to ease Universals inevitable switch to Blu-ray?

Will he be hard faced enough to stand his ground, even when the switch happens?

Or, now this is my favoured outcome, is he in the process of masterminding Universals exit from HD-DVD, and to save face, will promote Universal as the studio who changed the course of this format war, which lead to Blu-ray not only winning, but eventually passing the almighty DVD?

A few Graffeo quotes:-

According to Graffeo, the PS3 is a gaming machine first, and studies have shown that "70% of gamers don’t even know that their console has a DVD playback option."

The high def format is about standalone players, not games machines. And the truth is that the jury is still out on whether gamers actually will buy movies in favour of games. We don't think so. And the number of movies sold for PS3 seems to confirm this.

Following heavy Black Friday discounting, HD DVD players have collectively sold more than 750,000 units, according to the North American HD DVD Promotional Group.

That figure encompasses lifetime sales of both Toshiba stand-alone models and Xbox 360 HD DVD players.

HD DVD continues to gain momentum (with the help of 360 gamers)and market share with customers,” said Ken Graffeo

Ultimately consumers will be the ones that determine what format provides the greatest value

Even if the other format were to eventually win, there's no risk. Because that HD-DVD player you buy will still play your regular DVDs and, by upconverting, will actually make the discs look better.

I can't imagine Blu-Ray getting even close to a $300 player this year. I expect their lead dog, PlayStation 3 [now $599], to drop $100, but that's it.

We didn't have many hot releases in the first quarter (Duh!), or many releases at all. They had some real biggies, like "Casino Royale." The fourth quarter will be telling. Our releases will be stronger, and we're looking for a big attach rate [that's disc sales per player] when people jump for an inexpensive HD-DVD machine to show off their new high-def TV set.

[sj001]

Most likely he would be the fall guy, though his boss, Craig Kornblau is not much better than he is. He's the one that "wants" the format war and says that it is "good" for consumers.

[Living Near Shamu]

I predict no single weekly win for HD DUD every! LOL

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by sj001

Most likely he would be the fall guy, though his boss, Craig Kornblau is not much better than he is. He's the one that "wants" the format war and says that it is "good" for consumers.

Always keep your words sweet cause you may eventually eat them. Universal's quotes are interesting in that they are so pathetically lame. These guys are the true FUD masters and the HD DVD fan boys are their minions. Not to worry though. Universal will go at least duel format in 08. They take the risk of Spielberg's disasociation from them in a few Blockbuster, money making title releases. Those releases may not necessarily happen in 08, but Universal should be getting their ducks in a row and support what Spielberg supports. Much has change since those faulty statements and predictions. Honestly, they all sounded like they didn't beleive a word of it but were required to create their own spin which was fine at that time, but none of it applies today. Universal Blu-ray is coming to a home theater near you!

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

Always keep your words sweet cause you may eventually eat them. Universal's quotes are interesting in that they are so pathetically lame. These guys are the true FUD masters and the HD DVD fan boys are their minions. Not to worry though. Universal will go at least duel format in 08. They take the risk of Spielberg's disasociation from them in a few Blockbuster, money making title releases. Those releases may not necessarily happen in 08, but Universal should be getting their ducks in a row and support what Spielberg supports. Much has change since those faulty statements and predictions. Honestly, they all sounded like they didn't beleive a word of it but were required to create their own spin which was fine at that time, but none of it applies today. Universal Blu-ray is coming to a home theater near you!

This is true, it has been almost 3 or so months since he said that, I guess a lot HAS happened! I really hope Spielberg will put some pressure on them as well, he certainly has more than enough clout.

[WickyWoo]

I doubt he'll see another Christmas

[aphex]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I doubt he'll see another Christmas

Woe, WickyWoo with the sniper rifle

[Papi4baby]

Ken=Amir, get it, same path.

[WickyWoo]

Woe, WickyWoo with the sniper rifle

Guns...so uncivilized

It's Blu-ray in the retail shop wiiiiiiiiiiith the consistant 80/20 sales ratio

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Guns...so uncivilized

It's Blu-ray in the retail shop wiiiiiiiiiiith the consistant 80/20 sales ratio

A light Sabor?

[w_tanoto]

next year, he'll be over.

[blitz6speed]

I honestly feel bad for him, its his job to talk up a worthless format like hd-dvd, and when it fails he has to take the axe for it. Oh well, maybe he can work at a Kenny Rogers chicken place like that episode of seinfeld.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I doubt he'll see another Christmas

I hope you're right. That deceitful little weasel really grinds my gears.

[mh466]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

I honestly feel bad for him, its his job to talk up a worthless format like hd-dvd, and when it fails he has to take the axe for it. Oh well, maybe he can work at a Kenny Rogers chicken place like that episode of seinfeld.

I wouldn't feel too bad. Regardless of what happens, execs usually land on their wallets.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Guns...so uncivilized

It's Blu-ray in the retail shop wiiiiiiiiiiith the consistant 80/20 sales ratio

It's Colonel Mustard bashing the hd dvd player in the Conservatory with the candlestick.

[hoser]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

It's Blu-ray in the retail shop wiiiiiiiiiiith the consistant 80/20 sales ratio

Truth.

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I doubt he'll see another Christmas

And same probably goes for Alan Bell of Paramount...

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Esox50

And same probably goes for Alan Bell of Paramount...

There's another weasel, I hope he gets canned the same week!

[dvcmember]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

It's Colonel Mustard bashing the hd dvd player in the Conservatory with the candlestick.

Funny...