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CW’s “Gossip Girl” - Rolling Stone Magazine Q-Ratio: 0.6379
Filmed entirely in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, “Gossip Girl” revolves around the privileged prep school teens on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and the anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl, who provides them with the latest gossip about their exclusive circle. In the series opener, Gossip Girl is busy spreading the news that “it girl” Serena van der Woodsen has returned to Manhattan after a mysterious and self-imposed exile to boarding school. Serena’s best friend, Blair Waldorf, has conflicted feelings about her friend’s return since she has enjoyed being the Queen Bee during Serena’s absence and might not be ready to relinquish her new position on the social ladder, not to mention the fact that she has always suspected there may be unspoken feelings between Serena and her longtime boyfriend, Nate.
NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” - GMC Sierra Denali Q-Ratio: 1.4256
The set takes on the look of a football field in a slaute to “Sunday Night Football.” Stopping by are former players Marcus Allen, Wayne Chrebet, Terrell Davis, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Jerry Rice, Kordell Stewart and Rod Woodson.
USA’s “Burn Notice” - OnStar Q-Ratio: 1.9511
Michael must rescue Sam from heroin smugglers, who happen to be ex-Special Forces. Meanwhile, Michael tries to avoid agents who are out to get him.
Was NBC looking for some of the magic from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” on a recent episode of “Deal or No Deal.” With Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice having done so well on the ballroom dancing showdown, NBC might have thought bringing some NFL greats to its version of legalized gambling wasn’t a bad idea.
(Whoa! The NFL would shudder to see itself linked with the very concept. But fact is that’s why the show is so addicting, it encourages people to roll the dice and turn away hundreds of thousands in hopes of landing $1 million.)
The Sept. 19 episode became a quasi NFL infomercial. Contestants wore team jerseys. Prizes included a behind-the-scenes tour of the NFL-owned NFL Network and season tickets to a favorite team’s games. The league logo covered part of the set’s floor - visible from overhead — and appeared alongside the “Deal or No Deal” moniker on a billboard. Continue to the full story
Product placement made its film debut in the late 1800’s. In the film Défilé du 8e Battalion (Girel, 1896), a wheelbarrow displaying the Sunlight Soap logo and accompanied by a tuxedoed Lavanchy Clarke is placed in the foreground between the camera and the parade. The business of product placement had begun.
Source: Jay Newell, Iowa State University / iTVX Product Placement Measurement
I guess the anti-theft system comes on the premium model
October 3, 2007
I’m fine with product placement—when it’s done well. After all, in the age of time-shifting, traditional commercial advertising doesn’t get the job done. And who wants to watch commercials anyway? But the placement has to be smooth. Think of the hotly sought-after iPod in The Office’s first Christmas episode. Substituting a no-name-brand mp3 player would have been distracting. The iPod worked within the plot. On the other hand, Kevin Malone making salad with his Staples brand paper shredder last season was a little too in your face. And unhygienic, too. Click here to read the whole story.
