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General discussion

What do you think about product placement?

by beelissa May 24, 2006 11:44PM PDT

More than once, Molly has voiced her opinion about product placement. To sum, it seems that she isn't against it, but she often makes fun of it when it is too obvious. For example, the Ford Hybrid on Alias. I hope I am being accurate in describing Molly's opinion.

What do the rest of you think?

I don't have a problem with it. I think it often adds to the realism of the show because the characters use real products, rather than made-up ones. I'd rather see a show with a product placement paid-for than have to pay to see the same show without the product, in most cases. I don't mind if it's obvious. I will tell you that it doesn't change my opinion of a product, and mostly it doesn't, but I did find myself wanting a cell phone after I kept seeing everyone on TV using them.

My only objection would be when the writers of a show actually change the story to fit the product placement in some way. Like if the whole episode of a sit-com was about a character's quest to buy a certain car, or something like that.

I want to hear what others think about this.

Discussion is locked

17 Posts
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I'm in agreement with you
by barret55 May 25, 2006 12:15AM PDT

I don't mind the product placement, because, as you said, makes the situation more realistic and believable. It's quite silly to see someone, for example, to grab a soda, where the name has been taped over (knowing full well what brand the product is), or completely making up a brand (taking a big gulp of "kooky kola"). Even funnier still, was the use of the black and white "generic" brands of products back in the 80s.

I say, if it doesn't go completely overboard (like the Ford Escape reference that people are using a lot lately), I have absolutely no problem with it.


-Terry

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If its subtle enough.....
by csliva11 May 25, 2006 12:46AM PDT

...then quite frankly I'm ok with it. I'll continue with my point in a second, right after I take a drink from my refreshing DIET PEPSI. Mmmm, thats good stuff. PEPSI, the choice of a new generation.

Ok, back to my point. I often notice product logos all the time in several shows and movies, and I feel that should be the extent of it. On a side note, it sure is real comfortable typing on my ergonical and economical LOGITECH keyboard. I would recommend LOGITECH keyboards and accessories to all my friends and family.

But when it's made obscenely obvious with the main character up and in your face with a distracting plug on a Ford Hybrid then thats taking the marketing too far. In defense of the FORD HYBRID, I feel that FORD makes and excellent automobile and applaud them in their great efforts to be environmentally friendly.

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product placement
by blbeacham83 May 25, 2006 1:34AM PDT

Just like anything if it is done right, and isn't blunt and in your face... Kind of like everyone in tv uses a mac... every office...

But i would love to see a ''Bacardi and Cola'' tv show!!... or maybe the guys from the nextel ad.. do something like the it crowd

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Your response ...
by barret55 May 25, 2006 1:36AM PDT

.. reminds me of Waynes World.

Little. Yellow. Nuprin.

I love that movie.


-Terry

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wanyes world
by blbeacham83 May 25, 2006 3:15AM PDT

Pepsi ? it?s the choice of a new generation

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Reebok
by csliva11 May 25, 2006 3:18AM PDT

"its like people only do stuff cuz they get paid, its that's just really sad."

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(NT) (NT) The Truman Show
by cardsbb9 May 25, 2006 3:43AM PDT
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Okay, how about this?
by beelissa May 28, 2006 10:27AM PDT

In the most recent TV Guide, there was a short article about this. It reminded me of a pretty blatant product placement -- actually, two of them, on the show 7th Heaven, this past season. I enjoyed both of them, though the author of the article thought it was a bit much.

First, the oreo episode. The idea was that there were several secrets various members of the family were keeping from each other. And Rose and Simon were given a small refrigerator as a wedding shower gift, and they stored it at the Camdens in the upstairs extra bedroom. The two little twin boys decided to plug it in and store milk in it, and also they brought up a package of Oreos. At various times, members of the family shared Oreos with the twins and also, at the same time, inadvertently also shared their secrets. Along with the story line, which lasted a couple of weeks, the characters talked about how they ate Oreos -- do they open them up and eat the white stuff, do they dunk them, etc. I thought it was quite well done. It was obvious that Nabisco paid for it, but I didn't mind because (a) it fit the story and (b) it was Oreos, which are pretty well-known and well-loved cookies, part of our culture and all that.

Another story line earlier in the season involved Ruthie trying to collect lots of Campbell Soup labels for her school. Campbells really does have this "labels for education" program and most parents with kids in school know they are encouraged to save the labels and send them in -- the school can buy stuff with the money, I guess. Again, they mentioned this several times over the course of a couple of episodes, with Ruthie talking about bringing soup in her school lunch and trying to encourage everyone to eat lots of soup. I thought it was well-done and fit the story, and again, it's a brand that's part of our culture.

The show American Dreams, which isn't on anymore, often did this type of thing with brands that have been around since the 50's, I enjoyed watching those as well.

So, what do you all think? These examples aren't subtle, but they don't bother me. Do they bother you?

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Truman Show
by csliva11 May 30, 2006 1:28AM PDT

Somebody in this thread mentioned "The Truman Show."

COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA COCA-COLA

That is a perfect example of marketing gone to hell. Where the show (while in the middle of the show and not in a commercial break) stops for the sole purpose of selling out.

McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS McDONALDS

If they can somehow incorporate the product in the program, then fine, I'll accept that.

SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY EAT-FRESH EAT-FRESH EAT-FRESH EAT-FRESH EAT-FRESH
SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY SUBWAY

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I bought a Tablet PC because of a product placement
by cardsbb9 May 25, 2006 3:39AM PDT

In one episode of Vegas the daughter of the guy who runs the place was doing her books on (what looked like) a Toshiba Satellite R10.

A few weeks later while searching to buy my very first ever notebook I took a look at the R10 on the web site Toshiba has up for selling directly to the consumer in the US.

Yup I bought it.

Regret it now, however.

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Product placements are as offensive as spam and pop-ups.
by alpabarot May 25, 2006 4:03AM PDT

I pay around $50 a month for digital cable (Canadian after taxes.) In Canada the CRTC regulates the radio and television industries and restricts how many commercials they can show during a broadcast day.

I'm assuming product placement is not counted under these rules, so it is just a way to circumvent the rules.

This is not being done for the viewer's benefit.

"I'd rather see a show with a product placement paid-for than have to pay to see the same show without the product, in most cases"
Unless you are pirating cable or satellite you or you're parents are paying for your content with commercials AND with product placement.

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It really depends
by cars4less201 May 28, 2006 11:23AM PDT

As Molly said, and most of you said. It really depends.

If I'm watching Friends and Chandler is using a MacBook for his advertising work. I'm ok with that...

If he goes to Ross and say: "Dino man, you gotta check my new MacBook, it's wicked awsome. It has a light sabre sound and you can hit the side of the screen to make the desktop to change. The good thing is that you can find this at the new Mac Store in NY downton, and blah blah blah...."

Ps. And as a marketing person I have to think that some are just great for your product. Like placing a book on Lost.

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Just plain tacky
by SilasC May 28, 2006 1:27PM PDT

Every time a computer or TV was shown, the DELL logo was on it. Now I wouldn't mind if it was once, but I think the 5th time it became very obvious. Granted, it's not as bad as the "Microsoft-Dasani-Cisco-etc. monstrosity of an ad-filled movie that was The Island", but still. I just watched 30 minutes of ads before I actually got to the movie. Now I did watch some, coughPotC2cough, but others I just sat there waiting to see Kitty walk through walls.

I'm okay if we just see a Mac or a Coke in the background, but when a product is the main focus of a shot for more than 3 seconds, highlighting the product, count me out. That's when it becomes a bother and just plain tacky.

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Dell & Apple
by SantiagoCrespo May 28, 2006 9:22PM PDT

They both are product placement monsters, since Steve Jobs got back to Apple, all computers in movies are Macs, and in every TV show i've seen, laptops and LCD monitors are all Dells.

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(NT) (NT) The HERO of the movie ID-4 was a Mac
by cardsbb9 May 29, 2006 4:03AM PDT
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Need a telephone
by rosscbrown May 29, 2006 4:16AM PDT

Call CISCO!

Very movie has a cisco IP phone and in 24, the cisco stickers are getting bigger.

And what's with the Motorola video phone in 24?

And tell me, why do offices all have to have 30" displays? Hey I'm the receptionist, let my check in you have an appointment on my 30 inch-er!

That said - I would rather have the logo there than it blurred out like in Sex and the City.

Well - I'm off for a glass of Coke!

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Its Fine Really
by shanaka perera May 29, 2006 11:35AM PDT

I'm all for product placement, like having a bag of Cheetos on the table. As long as the characters don't take the time to tell each other how good the Cheetos taste or how well the Ford Hybrid drives. So I guess you can say I agree with Molly on this.

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