TresSugar

Morning News Anchors Drink McDonald's Coffee (For Cash)

LibertySugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Each morning news anchors on Fox's Las Vegas affiliate sit in front of very visible McDonald's iced coffee cups, part of a product-placement deal. The fast-food chain sponsors the two-hour morning news-and-lifestyle segment, but instead of commercial breaks, the advertisement happens during the news.

Since advertisement dollars already influence networks, I think the product-placement deal raises some old conflict of interest concerns. The producers say they would pull the cups if they had to report a negative story about McDonald's, just as they would pull a regular commercial. Still, the covertness of the promotion could deceive some viewers not aware that McDonald's paid for the cups' placement.

To find out how political parties are incorporating product placement, and how the industry sees it, read more.

Product integration happens a ton in scripted television, so much so that the Writers Guild of America wants it blatantly disclosed. The WGA says: "the hope is that consumers, not expecting to find a commercial within their program, will fail to realize they are actually being advertised to. This practice exploits the emotional connection viewers have with shows." Perhaps this expectation of neutrality increases significantly when dealing with news, as opposed to entertainment.

Going the overt-sponsorship road, the Democrats will be handing out AT&T logo-plastered bags at the Democratic National Convention. It's almost impossible not to see a conflict of interest here (telecom cough cough immunity) but, the Democrats assure that sponsorship does not equal access to politicians.

How should news stations and political parties reconcile high costs with integrity?

David Lynch On Product Placement In Films

GiggleSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

David Lynch's films may be long and inscrutable (Inland Empire was over three hours long) but his answers to obvious questions are short and sweet. (Well, not so sweet here.)

Convenient Banking

GiggleSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:28:50 -0800

Now all they need to do is add a divorce court next door, and it's one-stop shopping!

Subtle!

GiggleSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

I don't know about you, but I like to describe products just as if I were in a commercial! Or, in this case, as if I were in a soap opera and doing really unsubtle product placement for Prego's heart-smart sauces that are oh, so deliciously nutritious for you and your loved ones.

Briefing Book! Obama's Kenyan Grandmother Flies to DC

CitizenSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0800

From Kenya to DC: Barack Obama's Kenyan grandmother is on her way to the inauguration, and she's bearing some unusual gifts. - Huffington Post
English Only: Some in Nashville, TN, want English to be the only acceptable language for government officials. - Jezebel
White House Wii: The ultimate product placement? Obama surprised daughters with a Nintendo Wii on Christmas. - geeksugar
GOP can't survive your good health?: Conservatives think "blocking Obama's health plan is the key to the GOP's survival." - 23/6
Oil: Investment banks might be hoarding oil offshore. - Donklephant

Source

Giggle Links

GiggleSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:29 -0700

Tattoo shirts and other douchebag fashion essentials. - Comedy.com
Mariah Carey is a woman of many talents. - Four Four
So cute: Chinese people discovering fortune cookies (invented in the US, BTW). - Boing Boing
If gods were drafted like fantasy football. - Holy Taco
OK, this girl really has one of the weirdest
laughs I've ever heard. - Stupid Videos
Golden boy meets Bat Boy: the Michael Phelps backlash continues - World of Wonder
Well, at least this kid is honest. - College Humor
The 10 most shameless examples of product placement in cinema. - Cracked
Maybe songs really do have subliminal messages! - eBaumsWorld