Will The TV Networks Ever Learn?

[2 of 3]

Does anybody really watch the commercials on a TV program? I mean really....you pretty much hit the mute button right? Or, you just use the TIVO and skip past the ads. OR, you download the show for free from a Torrent site. So..why do they still run commercials then? Wouldn't it be smart to just incorporate the advertiser into the show? Let the stars drink Coke or Pepsi...show them drinking it. That is your add. You sell the advertising that way. Let them drive the Ford...show the name plate when they get in...check your watch...oh gosh, it's almost time for that bomb to go off...hope my TIMEX is running fast. I mean, really...you advertise this way...and everyone who watches the show, sees the ad. No way around it this way. Commercials are so....useless.

[Paperback Writer]

....good points....problem is - the shows are so bad - the commercials are better (at least they are shorter)!

[mervap]

Product placement has made real inroads into the movie medium...why not TV? It's way more subtle than having 3 minutes of mostly unwatched TV air time. I cannot remember a time when I saw an ad on TV that made me think about buying the product.

[2 of 3]

It's just a matter of time before it happens. It's probably just a matter of time before Macca starts singing about cappuccinos too. :)

[lampie1970]

too late...I was watching a re-run of Will and Grace the other day and noticed they were eating Kelloggs Heart Smart for breakfast....not even an attempt to modify or turn the box...definately a product placement. And if they do it that way I am OK with it. But during the NASCAR season this year, they tried this "picture in picture" type thing to show the race in one frame and the commercial in the other so that you"didnt miss any of the action"...well, it aggravated me. The Race frame was so small you didnt know what was going on anyway and well, it was aggravating....so, put the products in...it doesnt really affect my buying, at least i dont think so....