How Do You Feel About Product Placement in Movies and TV Shows?

October 8, 2009

Acuvue contacts and CoverGirl makeup in Whip It!, CoverGirl again, Wal-Mart, Seventeen, and a whole mess of other stuff on ANTM — product placement within films and television shows seems like it's definitely here to stay. I know ads are necessary to fund our entertainment, but it seems like inserting product usage and implicit endorsements into the program without telling viewers is a little weird. I think endorsement laws are generally a good thing — they protect consumers, and they keep the industry a little bit more on the level. On the other hand, I loved Whip It!, and I didn't think the product placement was distracting. I'm conflicted here. I'm happy for creative endeavors to have advertisers — in fact, they're necessary — but I wonder if more transparency wouldn't be a good thing. What do you think?

Bella Poll

9 Comments

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 32 weeks

When it's blatant (e.g. Sex and the City's film version), it irks me. I'd prefer it left to commercials, though.

Yogaforlife 3 years 32 weeks

My husband and I noticed it all the time - it's almost a game. Like when a movie is heavily oriented on computers, they make sure that they show the Apple Logo or that the computer says Dell. When Heroes first came out, one of the first things we noticed was that all the cars driven on the show were Nissans and they had a commercial during every commercial break). You'll notice it a lot in movies - when they show the vehicles - they're usually all one make like Chevy or Ford, or Honda. If it's not that make, they make sure not to show a logo or anything to identify the car as another make.It used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore - I just don't let it influence my likes/dislikes.

Yogaforlife 3 years 32 weeks

My husband and I noticed it all the time - it's almost a game. Like when a movie is heavily oriented on computers, they make sure that they show the Apple Logo or that the computer says Dell. When Heroes first came out, one of the first things we noticed was that all the cars driven on the show were Nissans and they had a commercial during every commercial break). You'll notice it a lot in movies - when they show the vehicles - they're usually all one make like Chevy or Ford, or Honda. If it's not that make, they make sure not to show a logo or anything to identify the car as another make. It used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore - I just don't let it influence my likes/dislikes.

leslievanhouten 3 years 32 weeks

It depends on how blatant the placement is. It was annoying when Kristen Wiig applied make up on Ellen Page and said "ok, now we just finish off with some Lash Blast mascara" ugh! Or in the last James Bond movie...why is James Bond driving a Ford? But the Aston Martin placement, makes sense. White Castle in the Harold & Kumar movie, makes sense. Rachel Zoe pimping bing, does not make sense. Starbucks, however, should put her on their payroll

ClassicalTorture 3 years 32 weeks

It annoys me on reality shows because I feel like they beat you over the head with it. (How many times a week on Top Chef do we hear Padma mention "the Glad family of products"?) but if it's in passing I don't mind. Seeing the logo on a box when Ellen Page puts in contacts in a movie is one thing; having a whole dialogue like, "Gee Mom, thanks for buying me these Acuvue contacts for my pageant! I feel like they disappeared on my eye! Now, off to roller derby!" would be another.

lilkimbo 3 years 32 weeks

It typically doesn't really bother me. It sometimes gets to me a little; I always fast-forwarded through the obvious product placement segments on last season's The Biggest Loser and it really bugged me in the SATC movie for some reason.

Gdeeaz 3 years 32 weeks

I don't really care. I mean most people know that they are getting paid to promote these products. What annoys me is when they blur out the name of a product or put a different label on the product.

lindac 3 years 32 weeks

I think it's amusing. They're so blatant. My family and I play a game where we try to spot as many product placements as possible.

booglass 3 years 32 weeks

It bugs me b/c I feel like the product is given the power to drive the story. Perhaps in a small way but still it seems like a violation of artistic integrity. And yes I know I am talking about tv.......yikes!

Link Love

9 Comments

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