A few months ago I was asked if I’d like to become a Nintendo DS Lite brand enthusiast. Thinking it was someone who wanted me to schill for free product, I sort of ignored the emails.. but in the end they tracked me down and I agreed. Basically, all I had to do was accept a free Nintendo DS Lite. And that’s it. I wasn’t required to blog about it or take surveys or do anything really. For a year we are stay in contact and sometimes they’ll send me a game or accessories. After the year everything is mine to keep. Of course, I’m blogging about it now, so I’ve done what they wanted… but whatever! Free Nintendo DS Lite. Plus, this is less “Nintendo is great, buy their products” and more “Hey, let me tell you about this cool thing that happened,” which is what I’m about to do in the next paragraph. 
Part of my agreement was that I’d host a party with Nintendo. They were trying to target adult women who don’t usually game, so I needed to invite 25 – 30 of my “girlfriends.” Oh, and every one of them who attended would also get a free Nintendo DS Lite. See, it pays to be my friend!
While compiling the invitation list I realized that 1) a lot of my friends are dudes, 2) a lot of dudes will offer to wear a skirt and shave their face in order to score free electronics, 3) a lot of my close girlfriends don’t live in Chicago. Or even Illinois. But, I think I did a good job coming up with different women from all of my different friend groups. And they all got along and we had a totally fun time.
I was kind of afraid because I’d only met people from the marketing firm one time.. and then I had to tell 30 people about the party.. and what if it wasn’t not cool? Or you were punked and there’s not really a party? Or there was a party but it was all marketing and presentation? Or what if it’s in a really lame place? Well, it was none of that. A really beautiful West Loop loft space was rented out and decorated stylishly. Seriously, I wanted to live there. Also, there was really fantastic food provided, red wine, white wine, and champagne. Not once was there any people saying how great Nintendo is or schilling. The people that worked there were really nice. There was a photographer (we had to sign releases) and a food/bartender. There were four women who were roughly our age and dressed in black skirts and black tops and high heels. I wasn’t sure at first about their cocktail-y attire, but they turned out to be super nice and down to earth. And you could just tell that they’ve played the games like crazy. They knew everything about the games and seemed to really enjoy playing them. I guess that’s the best marketing of all. It’s cool that Nintendo has recognized that we don’t have to be told that they’re fun, they just show that they are. They let the product speak for itself. I also like that they said “you don’t have to do anything” (blog/survey/feedback/etc), because you know we all don’t like being told what to do, but if you say we don’t have to, then we will. Some companies are so clueless about word of mouth and guerrilla marketing, though.. the stuff that can’t be measured with solid metrics.
There were four couches set up in the space and at each spot there were several Nintendo DS Lites with different games in them. So, you needed to play each game at each station to get a charm for a charm bracelet everyone was wearing. After you got all the charms then you got to play WII on some flat screen TVs. When guests left they got to choose if they wanted a black or a pink Nintendo DS Lite. And everyone got Brain Age 2. Pretty much everyone told me they had a fabulous time playing the games, that the food was great and that they enjoyed the company. And, of course, everyone was thrilled to have a new Nintendo DS Lite!
I’ve never considered getting a handheld gaming system, but I find myself playing the DS all the time. At home, on flights. It’s pretty fun. I do wish I’d had the chance to choose the color, though. I for sure would have picked black. Instead they sent me a pink one a few months ago, and not only that, it’s bedazzled with rhinestones in the shape of a heart. Seems like it’s geared more towards a tween than an adult woman, but hey, it was free, so I’m not complaining!
The space looks so cool. Looks like they did a great job with the party!
Thanks for agreeing to take their free stuff! The event was super fun, and the space and food were so crazy delicious.
Thanks for the invite!
Wow – that’s pretty fantastic, both for the event itself and for the fact that they targeted you.
Did Nintendo tell you specifically why they wanted you? My guess is it’s all that you do (blog/Chicagoist/Google), but did they… I dunno, ask for site stats/metrics or anything, prior to?
When brands start to seek you out to help with their promotions, I think you can safely say that you’re fast becoming one of those Gladwellian “influencers.” Congrats!
@John – They did a great job.. better than I could have hoped.
@Olivia – I’m glad you could come and that you had a good time. You’re right, the food was fabulous. I wish I’d have known beforehand. I knew they were having “appetizers” but that could be anything! A lot of people ate ahead of time because they weren’t sure, but there was so much food at the party!
@Felix – They didn’t ask for metrics or anything like that, but it was for sure as a result of my blogging here and possibly also for being involved with Chicagoist.
i have had a free phone (actually FOUR free phones) for the last two years, free service … unlimited text, internet, phone, music, whatEVAH .. all because i said i would be a sprint ambassador when i was writing for chicagoist. it has been the BEST!
however, my free ride comes to an end this month. i’m sad. and slightly in shock. i guess i knew it couldn’t last forever. but, i don’t even know quite what to do. i want to keep my number, but i have to pick a provider and a plan. sigh. back to the real, non “ambassador” world. blah.
I should have kept up on that Sprint phone thing. I only lasted in the program for about 6 months!
Thanks again for the invite! It was great to see you! Brain Age is growing on me. I think I’m smarter already.
blast! yet another reason why i wish you were still living in ny!
So how do others that want to do this sign up?
I don’t think you can sign up for this program, but if you go to the Brand Enthusiasts web site it seems like you can express general interest in being a part of a future program.
Hi there! My Name is Vanessa. I would love to have a nintendio Ds Lite for free but the colour I would like is a pink one. So please kindly send me a e-mail on my e-mail address okay. Thnx Vanessa
They obviously like Rachels, cuz now they’re hitting me up. Should I do it?
a lady next to me on the plane had one and said how she luved it! (she was like 65)!!!
hey nice work on the party!
DO YOU GET A FREE NINTENDO DS HERE IF YES WRITE ME BACK AND PUT YES AND IT IF
PUT NO SO THANK YOU AND WRITE ME BACK Asap
Hello!
I wish I was at the party!!!! I really really really wish I had a nintendo ds lite!! In any colour!!! So if you have any extra ones tell me!!! Please!!! It would be my dream come true!!! So please contact me!
(I’m 13 years old)
YES , i Think your party looked like fun!! I’d also like to do what you did, it didn’t cost you anything to do that? e-mail me with the details if you can cause i’d love to get a ds lite for free too!!!!!
Hello,my name is Anisa,And I LOVE POKEMON!
And i also have a DS too,but mine is brocken my best coolr is Blue i love blue! i wish i have a blue ds!
How could i get a Nintendo DS lite ..my daughter has been asking for one for 6 months now..just could not afford it. Would like some info what you could recommend.
Thanks Belinda
Hi! My name is Angie Nibbe and I would love to host a party in order to get a free DS. I work at a nursing home and everyone talks about how they would love to buy one. I have lots of friends and lots of co-workers I dont even know including Dr.s,nurses,therapists,housekeepers,dishwashers,all kinds of friends.And I wouldnt even care about the color,I JUST WANT ONE!
Microsoft Targets Soccer-Moms, Takes Nintendo’s “Party” Idea : Endsights: Shedding Light on Video Games // Dec 22, 2008 at 1:09 am
[...] is eerily similar to a promotion that Nintendo has been pushing with their Nintendo DS and Wii systems. Don’t [...]
I love nitendo ds lite, i would DEFINITELY be the nintendo ds lite ambassador.
host parties and blog in exchange 4 a nintendo ds lite. win! win! win!
I want free Nintendo DS lite too
Can I get one?
If yes please contact me in this email
If no please contact me too
So I will know
Thank you
if you could please git me one because in virginia it is hard to travel places and it not a all like the city
well i finaly got a free ds lite sent to me from a sit called xpango you chould try it heres the link http://www.xpango.com?ref=91584222
wow eye totally love intendos especially the touch screen but unfortionally i lost my fav intendo ds system and i totally miss it so please give me luck to find it {-:-}!!! i lol intendo**@#**
all i want is a nintendo ds
hi i really need a ds its what i always wanted my family does not have enough money 2 get me one so please from the bottom of my heart please
pscool party
I go to school at New Britain High School In Connecticut. As a matter of fact I’m Typing you from the computer right now! I never had a ds but always wanted one my mom and dad are out of their jobs and now in school everyone makes fun of me because I wear the same cloths every day and I’m poor would you please try to find the cheapest ds you could so I could know the joy of it too! sorry if i don’t get back to you if you email me because of the whole being poor thing so please try to
Love LeLe Foster(Telazia w.)
my neighbor’s little brother dropped and broke the hinge off his red DS phat. he played the crap outta that thing
i am asking for some help in getting a nintendo dsi i really would like tom get one of the for my son for when we go on long trip visiting he has alredy ask me for one but i losed my job so i don’t have the extra money to buy this for him so maybe you can help me with this matter please help me
hope i win one for my son for when we go on long trip so he has something to do on the way i have try to win one for him because i losed my job and don’t have extra money to ge this for himso maybe i can win one for him
please pick me to win this i really need one
i have been waitting fora web sight to win one for my son so hopefuly i can get it thought this one
i have wanted a dsi for a since they came out our family does not have eney vidio games and my family just does not have that much money and i would be very happy to win one .thank you a lot for letting me be in this draw.
Yeah I luckily was able to find a great site to get a Nintendo DS for free and I earned it in several weeks. You’d be surprised what you can find on the internet that is actually beneficial.
i want a nentendo ds and ds lite for free anybody know where i can get one for free online if you do email me at njohnson31ymailcom@yahoo.com thanks Myriah,
i want a dsi now
i now wait for the nintendo dsi for 14 day
Wow! Where can I get a free ds lite? i’d like a pink one.
i woud realy like a Pink nintendo ds lite because i have always wanted one so if i get a free nintendo ds lite i would like a pink one
my family is losing money and they promised me one for my b-day bu it never happend so plz from the bottem of ny heart give me a pink one plz
I would like a free nintendo Ds lite please.
Ive always wanted a Ds…My Parents dont buy me 1 cause they say that ill lose it
…but i have never gotten a game system…so please can i have the black 1 please please….with a cherry on the top.
I used to have a ds but i let my little brother play and he spilt bubbles on it, then i got another and he dropped in the toilet and then i got another and he lost in someone elses car i would get another but i dont have that much money anymore so i really want a ds dont care what color
can u send me a dsi becuz i never had one be for
Can you please send me a free pink nintendo ds lite because my old nintendo ds is crapping out on me and i don’t have the money to afford a new one.
i love ds
can i please get a free nintendo ds lite please email me at adam_cleaton@yahoo.com asap please.
how do I go about getting a free nintendo ds lite? If you could please give me the information I would appriciate it. Thank you.