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Cable/sattelite TV
Howard_Casto:
--- Quote from: Zero_Hour on June 23, 2007, 01:26:08 am ---New ways to integrate traditional ads will definitely come down the pike, not to mention the fact that many programs already charge $$$ for "product placement" - advertising stuck right into your Movie, or TV program as props or even plot devices. An Upcoming example: Why do you think Jazz in the Transformers movie is a Pontiac Solstice, and not a Porsche 935 as he originally appeared? Because GM paid Mr. Bay to make it so.
You may stop watching traditional 30 second spots, but the marketing department will find a way to get their product in front of you somehow.
--- End quote ---
It might also have to do with several other factors. They obviously will try to make a deal if they get permission to use a vehicle, but they still have to get permission. VW denied them the use of a Beatle for bumblebee as they have a policy against "the volkswagon being used as a war machine". Funny they didn't have that policy during ww2. I suppose rather than try to get the brand some good press they'd rather be forver known as the official auto of the nazi party! But I digress. The other reason is Micheal Bay's skewed view of trying to make the film "believable". He's made various excuses about changing the vehicles so that the transformers blend in, which I would buy if he didn't slap the autobot/decpticon logos on the cars and pimp poor old optimus. He also changed various vehicles for scale reasons... it's the reason optimus is a different model semi. If Jazz was a porsche he might stand at around 7 feet.... not exactly imposing. Personally, I think this "attention to detail" is what is ruining the film. I would have rather seen it set in 1984, and instead of getting the official liscense for the cars, do like the tv show did and just not put any logos on the cars. It's not a beatle, it just looks a lot like one!
Getting back on topic, I can't help but laugh a little that you are complaing about product placement in the film when the entire point of the transformers series was to sell the toys. The toys were designed long before the show, it was merely a vehicle to sell them. I mean they introduced some random group of toys.. err I mean characters every other week. So with that being said, are things really getting worse or is everyone just looking at the past with rose colored glasses?
Zero_Hour:
Have you seen the Solstice? It's even more puny than a Porsche. :dunno
And you're right, Transformers is not the best example, seeing as how it was specifically created from the get-go to sell toys. Much the same way that G.I. Joe did when they Shrunk down the original "Barbie for Boys" and turned him into a full blown line of action figures / cartoon. Thank Star Wars for that one. My only real fear about the Transformers movie, is that it will be a wild success, and some idiot decides to counter with a Go-Bots film. ::)
And I'm not complaining, I'm just making an observation. Product placement has been happening in film almost since it's inception. It's just that now that the advertising methods most of us are familiar with are having trouble holding their ground, marketers and producers are far more aggressive in that arena than they previously were.
Another example - I don't recall the Fantastic Four driving around in a Dodge-badged Fantasticar, when I was reading the comics as a kid. But there it is in the new flick. It was reportedly drawn up by one of the Chrysler groups lead designers. Johnny Storm even asks Reed if it's "Got a Hemi in it?" to which Mr. Fantastic replies "Of course." Chuckle or groan, it's your call.
As for TV, originally they followed the model of radio at the time, where Sponsors often had their name right in the show - Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berel comes immediately to mind. It's even invading local news broadcasts, with more than a few major market stations having agreements with "Brand Brokers" for handling product placements in their lifestyle segments. Not to mention every ratings sweeps period is chock full of "news" that ties in with the affiliates' parent network programming.
Whether it's better or worse, is obviously a matter of opinion. Some people will say it's just another facet of capitalism, and I'm hard pressed to disagree with that assessment. While product placement isn't new, I'd say that is is definitely more prevalent now than ever before.
Naru:
Now that I think about it, half of x-box live
is like buying a ticket to get into the mall to shop.
We all like playing games online against/with each
other, but all the demo's and stuff really are just
another form of advertisement that we're paying for.
Ha, ha...man I'm a sucker.
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: shardian on June 22, 2007, 11:55:13 pm ---It will be interesting to see how broadcast TV changes in the next year or two. It has become apparent that the current Nielsen system is no longer effective for the internet/ipod/tivo era. Alot of networks are talking about integrating advertisements into the show and/or sponsoring segments or entire episodes ALA soccer broadcasts.
--- End quote ---
That may not even be legal in the US... that's how TV started and eventually there were laws passed for product sponsorship outwardly of some types of programming. I know it was illegal for childrens' shows for decades and still may be... but really, at first, the whole show was a commercial, like the Texaco Star Show.
Jouster:
One thing that I just don't understand about advertising...is it really necessary for Coke and Pepsi to spend that much money to tell me that they have sodas out there? Is there anyone in the free world that doesn't know about Coke and Pepsi? I mean...there is no amount of advertising that Pepsi can do that will ever make me choose them over Coke...total waste of money in my mind. :dunno
Advertising should be limited to new products only...other than that...I don't bother watching them anyway. Unless they start doing the Futurama form of advertising...by beaming it directly into my dreams. (Mmmm...Bachelor chow.)
Jouster
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