HD DVD Should Re-think PR After Beatings From Netflix and Best Buy

When you work for the HD DVD Promotions Group you look forward to Friday.

So far this week - online retailer Netflix announced it’s dropping HD DVD and will begin exclusively stocking Blu-ray. Then Best Buy, the country’s largest consumer electronics retailer, says it’s going to begin endorsing the Blu-ray format.

Best Buy endorses Blu-ray!

What does Best Buy think it is – Ted Kennedy?

“Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding," said Brian Dunn, Best Buy's president and chief operating officer. "Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them."

Best Buy's Blu-ray endorsement doesn't mean the retailer will stop carrying HD DVD. Now we'll see Best Buy employees pimp the format on the sales-floor.

Great news! Now Blu-ray is right up with there with overpriced cables and extended warranties. People should know better than to take electronics advice from a teenager wearing a name tag.

The HD DVD Promotions Group fired back to the press against the swirling tide taking it deep into the plumbing. But instead of socking John Q. Public between the eye with some of that horseradish and habanero mustard that says: This is WAR, baby!

HD DVD only gave out a meek whimper.

"We have long held the belief that HD DVD is the best format for consumers based on quality and value, and with more than 1 million HD DVD players on the market, it's unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward. While the Best Buy announcement says they will recommend Blu-ray, at least they will continue to carry HD DVD and offer consumers a choice at retail."

HD DVD seriously needs to work on its public relations strategy. The last time I heard a speech that passive I was probably napping.

Let’s see – the first thing HD DVD should do is find someone with experience doing PR for a lost cause. The format needs someone that can pull off the unswerving conviction shtick and make it so believable it’s actually a bit scary.

What the heck is Bagdad Bob up to these days anyway?