Is “Sell-Out” My Middle Name???
With the advent of DVRs, commercials seem to be falling by the wayside, so advertisers are finding more, shall we say "creative" ways to attract our attention. And maybe creative is a bit of an overstatement. Maybe in-your-face would be more accurate. It’s a little something we like to call Product Placement.
It’s actually nothing new. It’s really not DVRs that have spawned this event. Remember ET? That adorable little alien who stole our heart-lights back in the 80’s? Did he not make your mouth water for those delectable Reese’s Pieces? It just as easily could have been M&Ms you were craving had the Mars company made Spielberg the right offer.
Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t mind the shift toward product placement. Not even a little bit. It can even be entertaining, as long as it fits into the story. It can be as blatant and obvious as 30 Rock’s McFlurry episode (which, paid for or not, was sheer marketing genius!). And, which I might add, made my mouth water for the almighty McFlurry. Well played, advertising gurus…well played!
So, where does this product placement end, I wonder? Surely not with TV and movies. When will we see it bleeding into the pages of the books we love? And, more importantly, do we care?
As an author would I be willing to change the soda that my characters drink based on a check I receive from PepsiCo? Or to change a setting to a certain fast food joint just for some extra change in my pockets? I don’t know…maybe? How much are we talkin’???
What about the covers? Those beautifully crafted covers that we drool over? Should there be ad space for sale on those? Banner ads? Logos?
I don’t know…that may be too far even for me (and those of you who know me understand that “too far” is not a phrase I know well).
So, maybe “Sell-Out” is not my middle name. But I’m not ruling out “Coke” or “Charmin” or “Skittle”, you know, if the price is right….
It’s actually nothing new. It’s really not DVRs that have spawned this event. Remember ET? That adorable little alien who stole our heart-lights back in the 80’s? Did he not make your mouth water for those delectable Reese’s Pieces? It just as easily could have been M&Ms you were craving had the Mars company made Spielberg the right offer.
Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t mind the shift toward product placement. Not even a little bit. It can even be entertaining, as long as it fits into the story. It can be as blatant and obvious as 30 Rock’s McFlurry episode (which, paid for or not, was sheer marketing genius!). And, which I might add, made my mouth water for the almighty McFlurry. Well played, advertising gurus…well played!
So, where does this product placement end, I wonder? Surely not with TV and movies. When will we see it bleeding into the pages of the books we love? And, more importantly, do we care?
As an author would I be willing to change the soda that my characters drink based on a check I receive from PepsiCo? Or to change a setting to a certain fast food joint just for some extra change in my pockets? I don’t know…maybe? How much are we talkin’???
What about the covers? Those beautifully crafted covers that we drool over? Should there be ad space for sale on those? Banner ads? Logos?
I don’t know…that may be too far even for me (and those of you who know me understand that “too far” is not a phrase I know well).
So, maybe “Sell-Out” is not my middle name. But I’m not ruling out “Coke” or “Charmin” or “Skittle”, you know, if the price is right….
Comments
That, and I didn't even get paid for it! Not to consider myself a sell-out, but heck ya I'd use Pepsi's name instead of the word soda, not only for the check (which would probably equal more than an advance!), but for the specificity of it.
While watching ET lately with my kids, I also noticed the blatant product placement of Raid - which seemed really out of place and obvious - and the generic soda cans, which would have seemed less obvious had they been some brand. I think ET is the first movie I remember that did that kind of product placement.
Phew! Long comment! Sorry! I loved this post, though. Some really good things to talk about.
Heidi, I name things all the time. People would have a difference reaction to "jelly filled toaster pastries" than to Pop Tarts. Think about it, branding is a part of our culture, and those products smart enough to have made a name for themselves deserve the credit, right?
But that said, money does talk :)
PJ, I don't actually have many either, but if it comes down to what Heidi was saying about calling something a "jelly filled toaster pastry" or a Pop Tart, I think Pop Tart will actually mean more to people. Or maybe just change it to "toast", right?
I def wouldn't reserve cover space for advertising... but I'd consider maybe blog space. Pepsi? Pizza Hut? Anyone?