Product Placement is defined as a form of advertising where products are placed in movies, television shows or new programs and the storyline does not mention the placement.
This form of marketing / advertising has been widely criticized and discussed. In this day of social media and instant communication perhaps product placement deserves another look.
These are my reason why I think so:
1. Change Viewing Habits
Many teenagers and young adults, myself included, do not watch television shows in a normal way. I only every watch them online and I have friends who record their shows and then fast forward the commercials. Therefore the only way we see new products is to walk past them in a store, from a friend or see Sophia Bush use the product on One Tree Hill.
2. Change in Purchasing Habits
Music has always been placed in television shows and movies for a long time. Today however it is even easier buy a song that you hear placed in a television show or movie. Many networks now while the credits are rolling show the music in the show. As a viewer compulsive buying kicks in and you go and buy the one song on iTunes…or even the artist’s entire album.
3. The power of choice.
Product placement in a television shows still gives us the power of choice. We can choose what show to watch. We can choose when to turn it on and if we ever watch the show again. If the writers place too many products in a show then they know the viewers will tune out….they know we have the power to choose.
Questions to Consider:
- List some product placements you can recall from TV, Movie, Games, etc
- Do you think product placement works? What are some benefits and problems with product placement?
- Do you think product placement is ethical (e.g., misleading)?
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