An ad should say "Wii U: it's not Wii, its an entirely new innovative console by Nintendo."(Then show off the gamepad with Nintendoland or ZombiU or whatnot) Then: "And - it works with all your old Wii remotes and games." (Then show off asymmetric gameplay or how you can play just on the gamepad or whatnot). And their slogan should be: "Wii U: it's not Wii."

Just something like that, to emphasis that it's an ENTIRELY NEW and different console and not just a controller add-on to the Wii, which both my parents, my younger sister and all my friends thought it was. (And when all my friends heard I got one for Christmas, they all instantly said: "Oh, I heard that it's really bad.")
That's all thanks to Nintendo!

It a good idea - however you have to do it in a way which doesnt seem like an airplane take off safety routine. Adverts are very psychological - they have to get in peoples thoughts.

I would get Reggie in the commercial telling you to buy the Wii U because he said so for a minute. People would totally listen.

I would make a video of President Putin going scuba diving and finding long lost treasure with a Wii U inside of it.

Right now, at three months since launch, this is irrelevant.
Feel welcome to make more valid comments in twelve months time if the situation is the same.

Might have missed this being posted but I'd go for an ad showing the Wii and Wii U side-by-side doing the Wii 'things' then show the Wii U showing where it's unique. It's the 'Wii' naming which is I feel is causing confusion amongst the uninitiated - e.g. my sister-in-law's family has a Wii but she didn't know the Wii U was different/better/whatever.

Maybe start with actually advertising it.

... and not just on TV
It needs some knock-out viral You-tube video... gangnam-style !

I really thought NoA did a horrid job with their original Wii U ads, so I re-edited it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZAhlL28QC8

I think they should show the GamePad's streaming feature for certain games, in fun and interesting ways, which I don't think they have in the U.S. market....if I can stop delaying, perhaps I can film a fan-commercial for Black Ops 2 Wii U that I've been wanting to do, just haven't done it yet!

Well they have done the rounds of Morning News programs to show the thing off, and yes it was mostly a very awkward and complicated affair, but i think they have tried the 'stale white demonstration' type of advertising with that.

Put PLAYABLE demo units?

Pay Activision for timed DLC exclusives.

Genuine marketing right there. Forget this inefficient TV advertising crap. TV advertising is like trying to take a shower using a tin can with holes punched in it.

This is completely relevant and a good idea. People love EA and Ubisoft and will be happy to see that they love the WiiU! >:0

What's the point of advertising a system when the only unique games are a 2d Mario that looks a lot like the old 2d Mario, A collection of Mini Games that is fun but still not that deep, and a Zombie game Kids can't play? It's easier to sell a game than a plastic box that sits under your telly. I'm guessing Nintendo's advertising department thought it as wasting money to do so.

I love the Wii U and playing Arkham and Darksiders 2 for the 1st time, but they needed a big new flagship title to show the way and sell units. The next Zelda/Mario may not be ready, but why Skyward Sword wasn't held back and adapted to make good use of the Wii U pad is astonishing to me.

Because you just described easy success in gaming?

Nintendo paying third parties for more exclusives (timed or permanent), better online, an account based system not tied to one console, and a price cut would be a fantastic start. That would beat any advertising.

Except SMEXIZELDAMAN was being serious, not ironic. Their support is a definite factor - see the outrage that followed Ubi's delay of Rayman.

I'm starting to wonder if Nintendo is self aware and knows there are not a lot of games on the Wii U, so they are waiting till they are before they spend there ad money. Also, I know since they were kids commercials its not going to happen now, but my heart long for NES-GC style commercials again.

ill do it by buring sorry wii u and tossing it in trash...

How can you bury something and then toss it in the trash? lol

Why must trolls use bad speling?