What will happen?

[stockstar1138]

Inisders have hinted that Ken Graffeo is actually a really good guy and there is we shouldn't bash him to bits like we have in the past. Given NBC's ownership of Universal, and NBC's relationship with MS, and MS support of HD DVD, is it possible that Universal's support of HD DVD was only because of MS. What I'm trying to say is that Ken G. might have had his arm twisted into being head of HD DVD PG because of corporate alliances and never really wanted to do it in the first place. I mean every thing the insiders have said about him, definetly points to him not being the complete nut job his PRs make him look Now given that MS has really relaxed its HD DVD support, meaning they might be putting less pressure on NBC to get Universal to keep up the gig. Now if Universal isn't being given as much pressure to support HD DVD and GE is pressuring them to support blu-ray, and Ken G. is a sane man after all. What are we going to really see first.

1. Ken Graffeo "leaves" Universal

2. Ken Graffeo steps down from HD DVD PG.

[stockstar1138]

bump over the duped thread.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

Insiders have hinted that Ken Graffeo is actually a really good guy and there is we shouldn't bash him to bits like we have in the past.

But he not only sounds like a douchebag he also looks like one:

[w_tanoto]

if I were him, I would step down as HD DVD Pres...
HD DVD is a small company, while universal is bigger

[mystiksuicide]

I have a simple but logical question.

Why stay with a format that is clearly going to die. He could put his movies on blu and not only cash in on them, but bring the masses even more into blu-ray which will mean even more movies sold.

DuD sales continue to shrink as blu-ray standalone continues it's upward climbing not including the PS3 which of course we all know isn't being bought for playing movies.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

I have a simple but logical question.

Why stay with a format that is clearly going to die. He could put his movies on blu and not only cash in on them, but bring the masses even more into blu-ray which will mean even more movies sold.

DuD sales continue to shrink as blu-ray standalone continues it's upward climbing not including the PS3 which of course we all know isn't being bought for playing movies.

I think the logic is right now, is that blu-ray is continuing to grow and so if they release the movies later this year vs. now, they will have a larger install base. I would expect the announcement in Q2 to make sure that it is clear to Xmas shoppers there is only one format to choose, that is what is what really matters, then when xmas is near, start releasing the Universal blu-ray titles in mass. Also, if they promote HD DVD for the time being, they have a much better chance of being able to sell off their existing stock, cause if Universal goes blu, I don't know too many people who will continue to support HD DVD.

[Sylin]

Sorry, but I've never heard anyone say that Ken Graffeo is a "nice guy", in the sense that you mean he is merely doing his job and is indifferent to the format choice Universal has. Everything I've ever read from him demonstrates him to be blindly faithful to HD DVD, almost like it's some sort of cult or something. He honestly believes the tripe he spews, evidenced from the fact that in interviews, he goes out of his way to spread FUD.

If Universal were to make an about-face, which I REALLY wish they'd do soon, he'd have to step down from his position @ Uni. What else can he do? Say he "made a mistake"? He'll look like a hypocrite for sure. It'd be one thing if Uni had been neutral, but Graffeo's comments have been very anti-Blu.

Let's face it: if Uni switched, hearing Graffeo talk about how he supported Blu all along would be like hearing Steve Jobs say he owned a Dell with Windows Vista on it.

[PeteS]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

.. is it possible that Universal's support of HD DVD was only because of MS. What I'm trying to say is that Ken G. might have had his arm twisted into being head of HD DVD PG because of corporate alliances and never really wanted to do it in the first place. .

Even though MS has distanced itself from the HD DVD defeat, I'm sure they haven't given up on their desire to prolong the format war in order to leave more opening for their download business.

My guess is that Ken G., MS and Paramount execs did not forsee Blu-ray succeeding as it did. But now that deals have been made, (and this is speculation) if Paramount gets to retain some of their $150M and Universal gets to retain some of its associated contracts via MSN etc. just to hold on with HD DVD a while longer, I could see that it would be hard for them to give that up.

[PeteS]

I think you need to add another option to the poll:

Ken Graffeo stays and talks his way out of it when HD DVD PG folds.
...Saying something like "HD DVD would have been better, but now that the market has decided Blu-ray, we'll support it"

Look how quickly Microsoft did a turn about and 'forgot' their history with HD DVD.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

But he not only sounds like a douchebag he also looks like one:

He looks like a real *** licker.

What a loser

[Memnoch71]

Originally Posted by Dave

He looks like a real *** licker.

What a loser

He's a highly paid Employee for one side. Of course he's always going to say his product is the better choice. That's his JOB. He will probably stay on with Universal once he steps down as the HD-DVD PG, and he will step down while at the same time announcing that Universal has decided to start producing Blu-Ray Disks. He will cite this as a Conflict of Interest. Of course that is just my opinion.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

What I'm trying to say is that Ken G. might have had his arm twisted into being head of HD DVD PG because of corporate alliances and never really wanted to do it in the first place. I mean every thing the insiders have said about him, definetly points to him not being the complete nut job his PRs make him look.

Anything is possible. The problem for Graffeo is, he's a shill; an evangelist looking for a payoff. Once he loses credibility - with the public, and with others in the industry - his value is nil.

Doesn't matter if he's a good guy, or not. He couldn't change gears and get people to think his new spiel was credible, and trying to get people to part with cash for a product that isn't viable is a task for carnival barkers.

When his value as a publicist is gone, he won't be in the role any more. He'll leave, I think; but if he doesn't, he won't be the new shill for Blu-Ray.