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Did you know that Rock Hudson’s character in the 1964 movie Man’s Favorite Sport worked at Abercrombie & Fitch? Did you even know that A&F has been around since 1964?! Well, I didn’t and was surprised to research that it was founded in 1892. But I digress.

I’m talking about product placement. Or “brand integration”. Or blatant advertisments for products that show up during my favorite tv show that in no way seems to be just happenstance. I wonder if A&F’s sales were boosted because of Rock’s employment? Does any product placement actually boost the brand’s sales or is it just a way for the entertainment industry to pay expenses? I cannot speak for all, but I did have a hankering for the peanut buttery, chocolatey goodness that is Reese’s Pieces after watching E.T. Another oldie is Back to the Future 2. Pepsi, Nike & the DeLorean all had call outs throughout the entire movie. What about Castaway? I mean, Wilson was a main character without really being a character! I hear there is a game that Bond enthusiasts play while viewing any James Bond movie where they try to count as many product placement ads as possible; Aston Martin, Rolex, Omega & Coke Zero to name a few.

Music lyrics and videos aren’t immune either. Lady Gaga receives calls from Beyonce on her Virgin Mobile LG Rumor2 in the “Telephone” video. Run DMC didn’t just wear all things Adidas, they weren’t about to trade their Adidas “for no beat up Bally’s” in their song “My Adidas”. And I will never be able to stretch during the 7th inning and not wonder if Jack Norworth got paid to give a shout out to Cracker Jacks when he penned “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in 1908.

And still more in prime time television! Who hasn’t watched “American Idol” and seen the judges with their ginormous red cups emblazened with the Coke logo? Jack Bauer of “24″ fame drives a Ford Expedition. Who could forget KITT, the sleek Pontiac Trans Am partner to Michael Knight? Even the “good ol’ boy” Duke cousins of Hazzard County, GA drove a custom 1969 Dodge Charger.

Alas, there are lots of examples of artists, movies or t.v. shows that feature product placement but receive no compensation. There was a recent episode of “Modern Family” that was based solely around the search for an Apple iPad. Producers and Apple alike state that no money exchanged hands for the use of the Apple brand. And I’m almost positive Janis Joplin didn’t get a car when she co-wrote and sang “Mercedes Benz”. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Are featured brands getting more business by product placement or are they just sponsors for your favorite movies, t.v. shows, musical artists and video games? Is it brand integration or celebrity endorsement? Would you ever NOT purchase a brand because of its product placement in the entertainment industry? Does it help the overall brand marketing? What other examples have you seen and heard?

Excuse me. I have a call coming in on my Sprint HTC EVO.

Contributed by: Jennifer Rodden

It was a slogan made popular in the ’90s by our favorite paper-bag head cartoon, Bart Simpson. Whether it was Nelson the bully, Homer, or a chocolate-craving high school student that will remain nameless, everyone wanted his crispety, crunchety, peanut buttery Butterfinger! Bart went to extreme measures to assure that no one swiped it but sadly, Bart and his iconic slogan were swipped from television in 2001.

Nestle Butterfinger has brought the slogan back in full force. You can now “train” with the Butterfinger Defense League to make certain no one is swiping your favorite peanut butter bar. Sir Mix-A-Lot serenades you with “I Like Big Butterfingers” while the League, comprised of Lou Ferrigno, Erik Estrada & Charisma Carpenter teach you how to defend yourself from muggers that might make off with your confectionary treats.


Campy? Yes. Do I have to go out immediately and buy a Butterfinger? Maybe. Good for at least one laugh out loud moment? Most definitely.

Contributed by: Jennifer Rodden

Need a good laugh? Be sure to check out the latest Kotex commercials. If you’ve already been caught off guard by them, you are not alone! The commercials mock feminine product commercials of the past that have typically featured women “practicing yoga in white spandex, riding white horses along the beach, or airborne in cheerleader outfits,” according to New York Times writer Andrew Newman. The commercials feature women who ridicule the history of feminine product advertising, ironically including material from their own ad archives.

Kotex hopes this re-branding effort will help separate them from other feminine products. They recently launched their youth-driven U by Kotex line which features new black packaging and bright colors, signifying a revolution in feminine care. Their new slogan, “Time to break the cycle” enhances the humorous route they are taking to extend the brand’s reach.

Contributed by: Ashley Popham

Apple is an amazing brand. And in its fanatics’ mind, nothing is more on-brand than Steve Jobs. He is mysterious, smart, passionate, innovative and wears a mean black turtleneck. And, unlike other great brands’ CEOs, he is so interesting that a TV show mirroring his life is in the works. Yep, a TV show.

You may have seen the show Undercover Boss which takes strides to show the human side of CEOs of companies like White Castle, Waste Management and 7-Eleven. And other CEOs like Tony Hseih of Zappos.com have taken to Twitter to engage fans. In fact, as of today, Tony has more than 1.6 million followers. But a sitcom, now that’s a whole new level of love for (or fascination of) a CEO.

I wonder if it’s a show Jobs would watch (on his iPhone or iPad of course). Would you check it out?