The Biggest Loser - Extreme Product Placement!

2.The Biggest Loser is one of the top TV shows integrating product placement into their episodes. There are so many products, some simply in the background and some are actually used by the "real life" characters. For example, this episode in particular is a football challenge featuring Jerry Rice and Steve Young, so naturally their is NFL logos all in the background. In addition, when the host presents them with their prize, a trip, she holds up an "Expedia" card. They made the episode about football because it's during Thanksgiving, and we watch football during Thanksgiving,so it was obviously convenient. Specifically, later they all join in for a "healthy" Thanksgiving dinner, and there we get a straight close up shot of Jenni-O Turkey. Later, we have all the contestants wearing their favorite football team jersey, a gift from Rocco the famous chef.
3.Products are so easily integrated in the show because it's a contest and throughout the show contestants win lots of prizes, giving companies an easy and great way to advertise their product, such as Expedia. In addition, it's mainly about losing weight, which is a big health issue in America, so lot's of food products are easily integrated. The ages vary from 20's to late 50's, but the success of the show has developed from getting real overweight people a free opportunity to lose weight and change their lives;their gender or age has no barring on the success of the show.
4. I enjoy the show and am a regular viewer, however the constant product integration does distract me from the simple pleasure of watching the show and seeing how much the contestants have changed. In between commercials there's healthy tips, which I like, but when it comes to "Bob" doing an advertisement on "Extra Sugar Free Gum" as a way to stop cravings, it takes the joy out of watching it. It becomes too dramatic for me and unrealistic, because part of the reason I watch is because they're real people.

Product Integration In Arrested Development

Burger King is referenced a few times throughout this episode of Arrested Development. This scene, however, takes place inside the restaurant and is established by a shot of the outside of the building. The characters say the name Burger King many times in the scene. You can see the advertisements in the restaurant in the background and the BK logo on the cups and fries. The characters discuss the restaurant and how they offer free refills on any drink. The integration is quite prominent, especially at the end of the scene when Tobias says "Its a wonderful restaurant," followed by the narrator's comment "It sure is."

Burger King was integrated into the show because the show needed some extra cash. That's pretty much the only reason. It wasn't because the show was so popular that Burger King would benefit from being associated with it. I suppose it's possible that they might benefit because the show had a typically young audience, but mainly just because Arrested Development needed more money.

The product integration didn't distract at all from my viewing pleasure; if anything, it added to it. It is placed in the show in such an obvious and intentional way that it adds to the comedy of the show. When Carl Weathers is talking about setting a scene in Burger King in exchange for some money, Tobias replies "as long as you don't draw attention to it". It definitely stands out as product integration, but because it was done in a way that is characteristic of the show, it works well and adds humor.

Extra Credit Blog

Lindsey Rogowicz



In this commercial, the feature Volkswagen is trying to promote is obvious, it's safety. The ad does not TELL you audibly to purchase the car because of it's safety rating, however at the end of the commercial it shows the statistic of saftey rating on the car by showing the 4 star crash safety rating. The commercial itself is a great attention grabber because it begins by two friends just talking when the truck pulls out in front of them suprising both them and us as viewers.

For soft sell, I detected that it's doing two things. Jetta's in my eyes, have always been labeled as more of a girl car. Here, it shows to boys driving it and looking very relaxed and comfortable. This shows that the car is both safe, and comfortable to take a drive with anyone because you are both safe.

I think the ad relies way more on hard sell, because it's not necessarily promoting a certain lifestyle, but showing how accidents can occur w/out it even being our faults. In this ad it shows how we sometimes aren't paying attention and therefore can get ourselves into messes and this commercial shows how the safe VW Jetta can help drivers do so.

Product Integration in Spiderman 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hOk80p8K2w

In this scene from Spiderman 2, Peter Parker is learning how to use and control his web like powers. As he begins to practice, it just so happens that the Dr Pepper can is one of the focal points of his target practice. The audience is focused on the can for a little longer than a second as we see Peter Parker practice his newly developed skills.

It was definitely a smart move for Dr Pepper to choose to be integrated into this film. The Spiderman franchise was a huge box office success that captivated audiences everywhere. There are many positve associations that the integration would have on a brand. Peter Parker's character definitely did not hurt the integration as a young, attractive actor.

I don't believe the integration detracts from the pleasure of watching this film. In fact, I really did not even notice it until I went out intentionally looking for product integration. It is slipped into the film in such a way that the audience is not distracted from the moment. There is a realistic factor to the product placement in this scene. Peter Parker is an average teenage guy, who probably drinks soda.

I AM LEDGEND...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzfv1mCh8Rs


....and I drive a mustang!


The movie I AM LEDGEND, starring Will Smith, begins with a fairly long scene of him driving through the deserted New York city in a bright red Ford Mustang, racing stripes and all. The company nor the name of the vehicle are ever mentioned but it is a very recognisable product and no introduction is necessary. I'm pretty sure later on in the movie he also drives a Ford truck, but its recognition isn't as prominent as the roaring red Mustang that opens the movie.


In doing some research for product placement, I found that quite a few of Will Smiths movies are saturated with product placement. Men in Black I and II are probably the most memorable with the Mountain Dew scene, and other brands such as Victoria's Secret, Burger King and Sprint. Independence Day has a scene where they try to shoot a Coke can and the name is mentioned. Bad Boys II has a scene where a large Miller Genuine Draft truck drives by, as well as the use of quite a few different vehicles in its exciting car chase scene. And finally I.Robot begins its movie with Will Smith using a certain stereo brand, wearing converse sneakers (and mentioning their name in case you didn't catch it) and driving and a specific car. Obviously Will Smith sells products. I know I want to buy a new Mustang with hideous racing stripes after watching I AM LEDGEND.

Over all I think the product placement in most of his movies are done fairly well and actually do add to the believability of the movie. There's nothing worse than watching a moving and seeing a can the say "Beer" on the side of it. In particular I think the scene with the red Mustang might have been a little over the top, and I guess I just expect Will Smith to be driving a better car than what spoiled sixteen year old boys and girls get. It might have been bright red color, or the racing stripes that threw me off, but I'm certain that was done for contact between the dark, gloomy background. Maybe had the car not looked brand new I might have believed it more.

But over all Will Smith must be doing something right and I sure hes making tons of money on top of the money he already get for his movies. Smart if you ask me.


-Alyse Hutchins

Extra Credit Blog- TV Ad

2. This television ad does use some techniques of "hard sell." The narrator speaks in the middle of the commercial and describes how this AT&T cell phone has, "more bars in more places." And as soon as the story of how the cell phone can be used is told, the narrator then tells the audience to "Switch to the network you can trust." These two statements clearly tell the audience that they should have this phone because it not only is a better phone but it also is a company that you can trust and be comfortable with.

3. The commercial is filled with "soft shell" techniques. A little story is told throuhout this commercial. This story plays into the emotional side of the audience. The little girl is missing her dad as he goes to work. Throughout the day the dad shows that he misses his daughter as well and decides to send her pictures of what he encounters throughout the day. Many features of the phone are shown as the story goes on. The dad then gets back home and the little is really excited to see her dad from the long day that he was away from home. Also, the subtle images of "bars" showing up in almost every scene of the commercial, you sort of have to look for it.

4. I do think that this commercial does really try and focus on an emotional way of looking at it. The little girl misses her dad throughout the day and this could relate to anybody in the audience who have ever missed somebody due to being away. It doesn't want you to feel alone when you are missing someone but this commercial shows that you don't have too because if you have this phone you can feel closer even when someone you love is so far away.

Year Old Nike Ad Featuring Kobe Bryant

In this ad by Nike for Kobe's shoe that debuted in March 2008 there is not really any hard sell. They don't spend any time raving about the quality of the shoe, Kobe doesn't try to lead us on to make us believe that they make him a better player, it's more of a laid back just in the life of Kobe type commercial that goes away from the typical format. He does however try to make it seem like the shoes are the reason why he's able to jump over the Aston Martin, but it's mostly comical as the clip is edited and not actually real.

The only thing that could be perceived as a soft sell in this ad is the including of an Aston Martin. They could have chosen any other car in the world to use in this clip, Nike has the funding, but they decided to go with the Aston Martin. It's mention and inclusion in this clip is very short, and it's not really with any kind of intent to get people to go out and buy the car. If anything I think they just wanted to go with a high brand of car, and Aston Martin was their choice. I don't think much more thought went into it than that. Maybe there's some connections through ownership with the two companies, or Kobe may even drive one.

This ad appeals to people's sense of excitement. Watching the clip for the first time I know many people thought that it was real because they did such a good job editing, but they use an impressive stunt to try to draw people in. Also the inclusion of Kobe appeals to people's sense's of success. At the time Kobe was leading his Lakers to the top of the Western Conference and was one of the hottest players in the league. He sells, people want to be like him and have the stuff he has, and that's why Nike included him in this ad.

Hyundai Genesis

The commercial I chose is an advertisement for the new Hyundai Genesis, which made its debut this summer. It was aired during the 2008 Superbowl, when millions of people would be sure to watch.

The Genesis ad is not very dependent on a "hard sell" strategy, but it did point out that the pricing was significantly less than a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle. No actual numbers are mentioned, but the ad does state that while it is "as spacious as a Mercedes S-Class," it is "priced like a C-Class"--which is still a luxury car, but one much less expensive than the former. Words on the screen toward the end of the commercial pointed out that the Genesis has 375 horespower, which was about the only specific included in the ad.

The "soft-sell" strategy is what is most utilized here. The actual visual in the ad is a very nice-looking car on a peaceful drive up a mountain all alone. This appeals to that need for inner peace and satisfaction that all consumers want. Going back to the comparison to the Mercedes models, it is apparent that the Genesis is trying to appeal to a person's desire for a "higher standard of living." With the Mercedes Benz being a very expensive status symbol, the Genesis believes that it is able to formidably compare, making that desire possible for those who can't afford an S-Class Benz but still want the space and luxury.

Hyundai has never been known to qualify as a luxury vehicle. This is why the voiceover states that there must be some "crazy, big twist." Then there is; the name Hyundai pops up on the screen to notify everyone watching that Hyundai has created something new...the Genesis..."Think about it."

The Fusion!

Samuel Rhotenberry


1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8-bOSEfFWk



2. You are told multiple times that 5 blades are "better than three". It is said to have the closest shave of any razor on the market, and actually has a "demonstration" where it is shown to be better than the Mach 3 razor. The blades make it more comfortable and overall a better shaving experience, or so the ad says.



3. By having Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Derek Jeter men are supposed to feel a pull to be like these superstars of their respective sports. If the Fusion razor is good enough for them then any average Joe would be lucky to use such a razor.



4. The ad definitely was geared to sell the razor, but also acted on peoples wants to be a superstar. By using these huge sports stars they are saying if you shave with this razor you can hit drive like Tiger Woods, or field a ground ball for the Yankees. The ad also seems to have an attempt to make us want to look good, be noticed by people in the world by having the closest shave on Earth.

Extra Credit: Four Christmases

Product Integration: Four Christmases

Four Christmases stars Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn and opened in theaters November 28th and grossed $31.1 million dollars that opening weekend. The movie is about a couple that is forced to break their family-free holiday tradition and visit each of their families on Christmas day.

It is evident that throughout the movie there is full-fledged product integration — when a brand becomes inextricably identified with the content of a show. Their black Range Rover clocks the most screen time transporting them to each painfully awkward family visit filled with a tense Taboo game and beat downs by two brothers who aspire to be UFC fighters. The movie is filled with references to brands. Kate is always on her BlackBerry, takes an e.p.t. pregnancy test, and speaks of Saks Fifth Ave. The couple buy the nephews an Xbox as a Christmas gift which they become ecstatic over and prefer to their dad's gift of a flashlight.

Some of the other featured brands throughout the movie include: Apple, BlackBerry, Budweiser, CBS, Doritos, e.p.t., HP, Range Rover, Rockem Sockem Robots, Saks Fifth Ave., Stanford University, Taboo (Game), Transformers, Ultimate Fighter Championship, Wesleyan University, Xbox, YouTube

The product integration was a success in Four Christmases because it was subtle. While they were visiting one family, you did see the many beer cans of Budweiser and notice the sister-in-law mention her secret ingredient in her holiday casserole, Doritos. The product integration was both realistic and believable. For product integration to be succesful the logo’s got to show and the audience has to identify the brand.

The stars in the movie, Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, are young and well known actors and incorporating products into their movie is a pretty wise move. The placement was done strategically, as they knew who the target audience for the movie is and placed products appealing to that audience. Because of the target audience the products also have to pass the "coolness" rule. Because identifying with a film is personal, “lifestyle” products are more likely to be successful.

In the movie, the characters played an akward game of Taboo, which was one of the funnies parts of the movie, and I found myselft going out that same week to look for the game to play after our Thanksgiving meal. So, I would definitely say that the product integration did its part. I also doubt that I am the only that was enticed by the product integration in this movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIuVtsH70EU

Are You A Card Member?
Alex Jimenez

1.

2. Due to the fact that the item advertised only appears in the last few seconds of the commercial and the only time the name of product advertised is mentioned is when the American Express worker speaks, it is very safe to say that there is not really a "hard sell" aspect to this commercial. The closest thing would be the conversation between Tina and the AE worker when she is relieved of not having to do any work and the worker reassures it.

3. As far as "soft sell", the commercial uses several tactics to gain consumer interest. The first is obviously humor. The clip spends most of the time with setting up Tina Fey in funny scenarios and little time on the actual product. The second would be star power. Using a rising celebrity such as Tina Fey makes fans of her and other celebrities relate to the product. It will make people feel like they are celebrities themselves because they are well taken care of by AE. Finally they use their slogan to relate exclusivity to the card. "Are you a card member?" makes the consumer want to join this "membership" so they too can know what the fabulous life is like.



4. Although the ad uses lots of different advertising strategies, it is suppose to mainly give the consumer a sense of security and success. The phone conversation lets you know that AE is always looking out for you and the protection of your card. The busy schedule that Tina has allows you the see that a busy, succesful career person can get through incidents because the American Express company does all the work for you!

Woo! Done!

The Texas Hammer

Jim Adler & Associates - The Texas Hammer
Javier Garcia
1. The ad mostly takes a direct hard-sell approach, first telling the audience that he takes it upon himself to avenge the victims that come to him for help. He tells the audience that he goes out and "hammers" the insurance companies for what they owe the victim. He claims to be the best by way telling of one victim that was hit by an 18-wheeler, saying that he gets results quickly because they got their settlement that very next week, with a total of 83,000 dollars. The commercial ends with 3 more examples of the results that he can get for his clients, all of them in the 5 to 6 figure range.
2.I didn't notice it until I watched it for a 3rd time, but the ad also takes a subtle soft sell angle with the setting of the commercial. Jim Adler wants the audience to see him as a fighter, so he literally gives the entire commercial from a ring inside of a boxing gym. And while he goes through his litanies of avenging the injustices of the people, there is a boxer punching a speed bag in the background.
Also, I believe that Adler, based in Houston, is making an association between himself and former Congressman from Houston, Tom Delay. Delay's nickname in the House was "The Hammer", and the name would resonate with people from the Houston area. Delay got the nickname for politically twisting peoples arms in Congress while serving as Majority Whip, whose job it is to round up votes for a bill under consideration. Adler is trying to build an image with consumers exactly like the one Delay had.
3. Adler is making an appeal to victims of auto accidents, who are probably worried about paying for their medical bills and making sure that they are treated fairly. Adler is appealing to their need to feel secure, trying to make them believe that Adler will be relentless in his fight on their behalf.

extra credit blog

1. This ad is by far a hard-sell approach. It is noted by how the character on the right Justin Long is introduced as the product that is being sold an Mac computer. Generally the other character John Hodgman will always introduce himself as a PC but in this commercial he is trying to protect himself against spy ware. Pc quickly assumes that MAC would need to protect himself as well so he offers him all a disguise. But MAC assures PC that he has all the proper equipment and is always updated. Obviously different from his computer the PC who is always having some type of trouble.


2.It is quit obvious that is a commercial for MAC. Just in fact that Long character is always suppose to portray the cool and trendy guy. Its attempted to make other people want to be like this guy and take on some of his traits. Where as Hodgman is suppose to emulate the older, boring PC that isn't as hip as always having some sort of issue. You are able to tell by how they act and look which product you want to invest int. You have the younger hip smarter guy. As well as the older always in a suit older male. This is quite obvious in the sense which one is more of a one you would want.By putting this together the MAC coperation has made a very smart commercial. Just in a matter of thirty seconds you are able to grasp the full image of what they want to get a across and sell. Its a very smart move and gets to the point.

3. When I watch this the the integration detacts has no effect on me viewing the episode. I am able to really sit down and enjoy it to its full effect. It makes more ascetically pleasing simply because of its quick witted humor. The ability to cause simple stereotypes and make such a genius commercial is a very smart well done move.

Seinfeld & The Junior Mint

Faith Barlow

If anything, it adds to the quality of the episode and makes it humorous. The use of the Junior Mints in this episode make the situation with Kramer more realistic even though something like that would almost never happen. It only adds to Kramer's character and also adds to the show's comedy. I believe product integration depends on the type of the show.

Foreman Grill Commercial

After viewing the youtube clip, it is not extremely obvious what is hard sell. It’s not like the Sham Wow commercial that he showed us in class. The commercial is not in your face. The one thing I would say that is hard sale advertisement is when Foreman is co-singing everything the women saying about the product integration. But is more of a soft sale ad it relies on the basis human need to make things simply instead of having a lot of hype.

The commercial really just relies on how integrated the grill is. It ultimately attempts to appeal to your need to condense your life and your kitchen. Instead of buying a lot of other products you can just buy this one and save kitchen space, as will as money. Your need to make life a little easier will over come the thought if you really need it our not.

"What Not to Wear" & 1-800 Contacts

After viewing the youtube clip, it is extremely obvious that 1-800 Contacts is a sponsor of this episode of "What Not to Wear". In this clip, make-up artist Carmindy is about to asses the client for the beauty consultation portion of the show. However, before she begins with the breakdown of what make-up she will use, she addresses the fact that the client wears glasses. To counter this unfashionable dilemma, Carmindy explains that 1-800 Contacts has so graciously donated a year supply to this troubled young fashion victim. The integration here is anything but subtle, as well as visually stimulating as the client is handed a rather large year-supply box, with the company's logo bold printed and splattered across the front.


It was smart on 1-800 Contacts part to integrate into a show like this. "What Not to Wear" typically seeks out men and women who are "fashionably challenged" and helps to advises them in the right, trendy direction. More than likely, many viewers of this show are seeking fashion advice themselves and no doubt many of them wear glasses. After seeing the clients final transformations one would assume many viewers who may not be so comfortable with their own fashion choices will want to go out and buy the clothing showcased in the show, as well as the accessories, such as in this case the contacts. As any good advertising company knows, targeting audiences who are already self-conscious about their looks is a gold mine and always proves to profit extremely well.


In this case I would say the integration is obvious, yet is expected in a show like this. Since it is after all a makeover reality show, I was not extremely taken by surprise to see the glasses-wearing client offered some free contacts. Carmindy took control of the integration extremely well and allowed it to flow smoothly and fluidly. By casually addressing how the re-ordering process works and how the client can receive more contacts shipped directly to her home, it sounded more like two friends chatting, rather than an in-your-face infomercial on the logistics of the company. Overall, the product was integrated well and allowed the show to move forward without appearing obnoxious or cheesy.

Victoria's Secert Commercial Christmas 2008

Chunk's Fave

In the commercial Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade play the important role to make people aware how good My Faves is. This commercial use the easiest way to make people believe if they are join into My Faves, they can talk anytime without pay. I think in this part it should be called "hard sell" because they use the famous stars to show how My Faves works well, also the many different scenes are the most important point to tell the concrete information about My Faves. And the scenes are also the good tools to persuade people to join into My Faves, because it will not charge the members at any time in anywhere.And Charles called Dwayne anytime when he feels boring or something that he wants to tell Wade. Which is a good example of "soft sell", because they are using a person's emotion to display the good work of My Faves. Also Charles and Wade are both the basketball starts which always make people focus on what they are going to show to us, also the fans probably will get the effective by them and to join into MyFaves. Others will think about it as a benefit and value way when they talk to someone for a long time, etc.

Exclude the "hard sell" and "soft sell", this commerical is more focus on T-mobile's customes who are never try MyFaves or who don't know how is MyFaves like. Also the company wants to use the commerical to attract more people who are the family members, friends, and relatives, etc. MyFaves is a good product which I like most, because my friends and I always talk over the phone at any time. It works well and it makes poeple are getting more closer, just like Charles and Wade did they like reporter to tells each other what they are doing every time and everywhere.

Austin Powers & the Delights of Product Integration

The Austin Powers series are obvious comedy films written and produced by Mike Myers as the title character, and directed by Jay Roach and distributed by New Line Cinema. The films mainly spoof the James Bond and other characters, and also incorporate other elements of pop culture.
The series blatantly incorporate different products throughout the films but it is in the second film, The Spy Who Shagged Me, released in 1999, that the audience is hit in the face with the many different products. Actually Mike Myer's comedic sytle is that the placements are not even subtle but down right ostentatious. Although the products are not always used in every scene, there are times when a product is shown more and it takes focus of the scene.

In the clip, we see Austin driving his "Shaguar" which is actually a Jaguar E Type and a XK8 convertible. Not seen in the clip but what is in the second movie, is Austin driving a modern Volkswagen Beetle convertible and Felicity Shagwell driving a 1963–1967 Chevrolet Corvette with a U.S.A. flag paintjob. Also in the car scene, is the obvious AOL mailbox and The Voice.
Although the AOL placement seems bad, the product integration gets much worse.Actually downright shameless.
The infamous Starbucks scene takes the cake. Not only is it on the Seattle Space Needle, but #2 speaks about Starbucks and how they invested in the pop culture hit. Typically it has nothing to do with the movie or the scene but it is "DELICIOUS".
Also in the clip is the famous Picadilly Circus which is basically London's Times Square which shows nothing but advertising for various products. Some times the characters are using the product or the products are simply in the background, but obviously from these few examples, the integration in the movie is prominent.
Another product placement that was used in the trilogy but is not in the clip, is Pepsi. Although Pepsi was only used a few times in the movies, for example during a fight scene involving Mini-Me, Austin Powers was apart of Pepsi Twist Campaign along with Brittney Spears.

It is not clear why these few products are integrated but it does let the audience aware of who the film was sponsored by. All of the placements are positive associations and are forever in history because the Austin Powers Trilogy are a staple in pop culture.

Personally the product integration is not distracting as it is part of the comedy of the movie, and its hard to say if the scenes are realistic simply because they come from the mind a comedic genius and most of the time geniuses are insane. The placement is outright in the face of the audience, however I doubt anyone would complain how it was out of place for the sheer hilarity of the movie and how outrageous the films are. Product integration has simply become apart of Austin Powers films.


For further information on the Top 10 worst movies for product integration, visit TheShiznit . Austin Powers is ranked #6.

EURO TRIP AND THE LEICA M7

As we have all probably seen Euro Trip a thousand times and witnessed the obsession one of the characters has with his new camera the Leica M7, never did I really realize that it was product placement. Throughout the entire movie the characters mention the Leica a numerous amout of times and in doing so also explain what it can do and how it would make the trip so much better. When the characters meet his friends in Paris he is quick to explain all of the Leicas abilities and is very cautious with it. Later when taking it to a repair shot the movie again states the wonderful things the camera can do and is even used as a tool to "get the girl". The ending of the movie the character sells it and displays how much money the camera is worth.
Many young people are interested in comedies such as this and I feel as if the more people watch it and get a kick out of it the more people will consume it. The film is a sequial to the money making Road Trip and in doing this the makers figured it would be positive for them to place the product in it. Also, the fact of it being a humerous act also adds onto it. People tend to love comedies and the more they laugh and enjoy the more likely they are to go out and buy the camera they were laughing about.
As was said before the product placement within the movie with the Leica was made for comedy, though it was getting the name out there and trying to sell they were also able to make people laugh in doing so. I feel as if once you think about it yes it can be seen as product placement that really stands out, but in the end people are going to oberve it as just comedy.

Campbell's Soup and General Hospital

Alright, alright, I admit it. I watch soaps! I have since I was a kid and I can't help it. My soap of choice is General Hospital. A few months ago during the writer's strike the scabs were doing anything they could to stall out story lines until the head writers returned to take over. During this time, they did something a little old school and advertised Campbell's Soup during their show. Soaps were built on the idea of product integration, hoping housewives would see merchandise and go out to buy it. That has essentially disappeared with modern soaps as they hope to look more like "prime time" in the "daytime". This however was full on product integration in the most blatant form.



Campbell's Soup is used as a catalyst of what might be considered a public service announcement about heart disease in women, the Go Red for Women campaign. One of the characters on the show, Epiphany, had a heart attack. She meets for the first time a group of women, who are all heart disease survivors, for lunch, wearing red to raise awareness. Campbell's Soup is their lunch of choice, all lined up in the background and on the tables as an example of a healthy food choice for heart conscious people. Everyone makes sure to call the soup by name. It's Campbell's! Not generic brand!

Since most people who watch soaps are women and that is their target demographic, it would make sense for Campbell's Soup to want to be associated with keeping women heart healthy. They get to have their product used in one of the more popular soaps for a good cause.

Personally, I hated this integration. It was so distracting on an already confusing show and was out of place, even on a soap. Instead of feeling connected to the storyline about a woman going through a dramatic health crisis, I was rolling my eyes at the way each character made sure they read their lines just right in order to properly acknowledge the soup. It was a commercial within a show, and it makes me as an avid soap viewer extremely happy that such blatant integration is mostly a thing of the past.

James and his cars....

1.


2.James Bond has always been a popular film series with its 22nd film now in rotation in local movie theaters. James Bond has always had fast cars and mainly stuck with British vehicles, except for the Lotus he drove in "The Spy Who Loved Me". His most known vehicle he drove was his original Aston Martin and has since upgraded in the more recent Bond movies. During the period between "Goldeneye" and "The World is Not Enough", Producers made Pierce Brosnan drive BMW made cars. They had struck a deal with the car manufacturer to feature their products in their movies. I am mainly focusing on "Tomorrow Never Dies", But in that movie, they featured several BMW vehicles. Bond's car in this movie was a BMW 750i sedan with all the usual gadgets but was also able to be a remote control car thanks to the cell phone looking control pad Q handed Bond with the car. The movie also featured the new BMW R1200, their new motorcycles they had just put out on the market, in a chase scene where the Bond girl and Bond escape from Elliot Carver's henchmen and a helicopter while being handcuffed together. You can clearly identify the logo on the vehicles but they were trying to subtly put the ads in the movie. They never mention BMW but they show a few close ups of the vehicles.

3.Bond is associated with being cool under fire and sleek. He is a British hero and is everything that is good about being British. They are trying to associate the BMW cars and motorcycles with James Bond so they get the same level of "cool" that Bond has. They know many people are gonna see the movie, cause OO7 has been a popular franchise since it first arrived with "Dr. No" in 1962. 4 actors later, Pierce Brosnan is now the cool British agent and the new image of cool and sexy for the new generation of Bond fans. The average amount of Bond movies per actor is about 5, which means James Bond will always remain young and cool.

4.It doesn't specifically point out that the vehicles are BMW and there isn't a guy pointing out what car it is. It doesn't really take a way from the movie, the cars are just there. The motorcycle is supposedly just a random motorcycle that they find in Vietnam that they steal to use as a getaway vehicle. It probably helps to make the scene more realistic. Most diehard fans of the series would be more upset that they weren't using an Aston Martin.

Tiffany and Co.

2. In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" Reese Witherspoon is taken to all girls dreams of the perfect place of an engagment ring, Tiffanys. It is very clear that Tiffanys is being used here with the little baby blue box and the sweet white bows. It may not be over the top but everyone knows they are in Tiffany's. It is integrated into the film by simply being taken to a very special place and being able to pick out the ring of her dreams, He says, "choose one" what girl would not want to pick out a big rock to go on her finger? This defianlty had to spark a guys brain on how to propose and set the standards for many girls.

3. I think Tiffanys was chosen to be put into this particlar movie for a few different reasons. The first one being that it is an all time chick flick and that millions of girls were going to watch this movie and see Reese get proposed to in Tiffany's. They knew their key audience would be girls and it is girls that want their ring from Tiffany's. A large majority of girls are fans of Reese Witherspoon and seeing her get proposed to in a well known diamond store would trigger many girls brains to the kind of ring they want to have when they get proposed to. Also if this movie happens to be a girls favorite, their fionce to be could spend the money to rent Tiffany's and propose just as in the movie. The main characters in this movie are all attractive and at the rip young age that many people would like to get engaged at.

4. I do not think that this partcular product integation distracts my pleasure of viewing this movie at all. Actually I feel as though it helps the movie and makes the proposal so exciting! Who has not heard of Tiffany & Co? When they show all of the sparkly diamonds and the blue boxes most girls are going to aww over it and think of how sweet it is, the integation works very well in this movie and is far from annoying or overbearing. This defiantly makes the scene more realisitic because it is a real diamond store with real diamonds and real people, people have more than likely walked by a Tiffany's if they have ever shopped in a big city mall, so they can relate to it. Overall I think it works perfect in this film, she is a well to do fashion designer in New York and why would she not have a Tiffany's ring?

Youtube is dead? Perhaps so.

Just a few weeks ago in class we discussed how Youtube was planning to make some major changes to their site. Well, they finally have. Guess what? These changes include censorship. If something is flagged as offensive language or content, Youtube will algorithmically demote it. Imagine if a vlogger curses just a little too...They might not make it into the highest rated or top viewed videos on the site. What happened to the You in Youtube? What about freedom of speech and deciding for yourself about content?

Check out this video below to learn more.

Levis Commercials

The first is the ad where the two "sexually charged couple" are invading someones house. Personally I am ok with this one even though it has nothing to do about the jeans, except that they are taking them off to have sex, but you can obviously can tell that they are at least 18 or older.





This one however, I am really not a fan of. Just from the dialogue and the action, the audience gets the impression of what is about to happen. What does get me upset though is the fact that in comparison to the other ad, the actors look younger. Like 14-15 yrs old. Am I the only one who sees the wrong in this???





I randomly choose 4 students, ages 20-26, and they gave their opinion that the first ad was using actors that were 22-24 while the actors for the second ad were possibly 14-16. Yes Levi is trying to appeal to different age groups for their product but I seriously dislike the fact that they are both using sex to sell their product.


LM

Surfing for Seniors