They do. The best marketing in the world won't help you if you don't
have a product. And the best product in the world is worthless if you
don't have someone to sell it.

I'm guessing the week before. Though i fail to see why they should try
to get media attention about a patch, something that non players care 0%
about.

Or possibly game making.

Just speaking as an old retired businessman who knows a little about
marketing and who has been around the block a few times:

I'm guessing the patch will go live the Tuesday before or (more likely)
the Tuesday following Blizzcon on October 10 and 11. This is just about
one month before the release of Wrath. (I like that "Release of
Wrath!") This puts the patch right when Blizzard is getting the most
media attention before the upcoming release. That means the patch goes
live October 14.

This would be the smartest marketing move. That still gives enough time
to work out any last-second glitches, generates a lot of interest
(hype) for Wrath, which should peak about the time Wrath hits the
shelves.

Anyway, that is what I would do if I was in charge of Blizzard's
marketing department. Who knows, maybe some smart young kid has it
wired differently, but one thing you can say about Blizzard -- they
know something about marketing.

Not home from work yet but curious.  Seems the weekly down time is a
bit longer than most Tuesdays.  I don't really expect it for a while
but would nice sooner...