Have you ever watched a movie and wondered how much it costs companies to have their items used by Brad Pitt or Sandra Bullock? How about a television show? Companies are paying literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to subtly advertise to consumers and to sell their products by making them look cool by showing people consumers look up to and admire using these products and services.
Now, imagine that you were one of these stars or someone in the constant public eye, would you do things differently, wear different clothes or shop and eat at different places? Would more be expected of you? The answer is that, no matter how hard you try to fight it, the truth is you probably would, and the use of your products and brands might change more dramatically than you would ever imagine.
On the other hand, think of consumer culture, and how different it would be without these ads and products placed in movies and television shows. Instead of looking cool because popular characters or people are using them in "everyday situations", they would only be found in companies ads and tv spots.
You can watch this short clip to see the number of small and large product placements and the question I pose to you is are you more apt to buy a product or service, based on its product placement in a movie, or have you never analyzed your purchasing decisions in this way?
Secondly, especially if you answered no to the first question, have you ever felt more important or cool after seeing a product you own, or like to buy used by one of your favorite actors, whether it be in a movie or outside in their "everyday" lives?
Just for fun, you can see if you can accurately count the number of products that are featured in this clip as well. You may be surprised at what you find.
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23 comments:
I feel the more I am bombarded with the same product being pushed on me the less desire I have to try it because I just want to resist.
Though I would find joy if my favorite celebrities did have the same watches that I do.
in response to your second question: I have to admit to feeling a little bit cooler after watching blind side and i had the same watch that Sandra Bullock wore in it. Thinking about it now i feel ridiculous and silly but at the time i was thinking that it must be a pretty cool watch if its in the movies... guess im a sucker for product placement.
I think if I was constantly in the public eye, the way i dressed, acted, ate, etc. would most definitely be influenced. I think do this to a certain extent even now. For example, if I were to go on a random morning errand in Las Vegas (where I am from), I would undoubtedly go with no makeup on and with hair doing whatever. Here in Provo, I feel I run into someone I know EVERYWHERE. Therefore if I am running a random morning errand (such as going to the grocery store) here in Provo, I make sure to at least brush my hair down and put on a bit of makeup. You just never know who you may regret running into when you look beat :)...And dont tell me you dont all do the same girlies.
Product placement doesn't usually get me unless they are using the product in a cool way, or it is something new and unique. Usually, though, the item is something I was already interested in and just liked seeing the cool features it has used in a movie piece.
I can't think of any times when I used or owned something that I later saw in a movie. But I guess if I did, I would think it was cool that some great actor was using something I have. But I guess it would only be cool if I liked the actor.
In response to your first question, I don't think that I am necessarily influenced by brands that are being pushed in movies. However, if I see a look that I like, that may influence my purchases later, even if I don't buy the exact brand.
In response to your second question, it's always nice to see that something you had first was also chosen by professionals to dress a movie star. It sort of validates your purchases.
I honestly do not believe that product placement in movies and television shows affect my choices as a consumer. I do not put enough trust in celebrities to believe that what they like would be something I would want to buy. I feel very disconnected from the celebrity lifestyle and the glamorized lifestyles that are portrayed in movies so much so that product placement does not influence my buying choices.
I'm reminded of the use of Reese's Pieces in ET. Everyone knows this one, right? The producers of ET asked M&Ms if they could use their product in the film and they said no, so Reese's Pieces were used instead. After the release of the movie, sales of Reese's Pieces skyrocketed. Even if a few individuals are not affected by product placement, I think a majority of people are.
My answer to both questions is yes. Especially if a product is new and I have never heard of it before, but then I see it in a movie or something, I'll want to try it out. I also like seeing celebrities using the same sort of products I do. It makes you feel like y'all have some sort of bond or something... however ridiculous that sounds.
Yes and yes.
Earlier in my life I would have said no, but I suspect I was very affected by what I saw on TV then too. Just now I realize to what extent. For example: I remember the first time I saw "The Italian Job". I wanted a Mini Cooper so bad. That movie just made the brand really mean something to me. I just remember saying in my head, "Advertising WIN!!" I felt cool just for being an advertising major. And though I don't intend to go out and buy a Mini Cooper (at least not yet), I feel much more affable to that brand.
When I see the products that I love (or even own) displayed in a movie, I feel a connection to those movies. I just think to myself: that's a little piece of me--right there, in the movie!! Turns out I really REALLY like product placement.
The first time I remember seeing a blatant and poorly placed product placement was in the 1998 hit, "The Parent Trap." While they are camping, the evil Meredith asks for her "evion." I being a naive (which is actually evion spelled backwards) young girl, had NO idea what an evion was. Sure enough, it was a brand of bottled water. You know, when I need water, I don't ask for evions, dasanis, or aquafinas. I ask for water.
Other than those poorly done product placements, I think there should be more brands in movies and shows. Because if you hadn't noticed, brands and logos are EVERYWHERE. They ate literally a part of my life. I reference them, I sing jingles on a fairly regular basis. That's what I think.
I’m more apt to buy a product not because of a celebrity or some advertisement, but from what I see other people purchasing. For instance, if I see a beautiful girl wearing a really pretty dress, I want to go find that same pretty dress. I don’t feel that way when I watch advertisements or see celebrities purchasing items. However, the “everyday” people I tend to watch might be getting their inspiration from those same advertisements and celebrities I don’t notice. It goes in one big circle.
I have never been one who was really into keeping up with actor/actresses lives so to answer your first question i don't think i am that heavily influenced by what the movie stars do. I'd say i am more swayed by actually advertisements than by what products famous people are buying.
in response to your second question I've never really noticed this before but i could see myself feeling pretty cool if i saw that a movie start had the same dress as i did or something.
My answer to both questions would have to be yes. As you put it in your post, as much as anyone tries to deny the influence of pervasive product placement in our culture, it has to have some effect. It seems that product placement has been getting more and more blatant in recent movies. For example, the latest Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" James Bond drives of all cars a Ford Focus. And all the computers in the latest "Transformers" movies just happen to feature prominent HP logos. I believe product placement is just going to become more forward as people seek to evade advertising by using DVRs.
I don't think that seeing products placed in movies and television makes me want to buy them more unless I am already interested in the product. I do however, (although I hate to admit it) find some sense of satisfaction in seeing things I already own in movies and on TV. Maybe because seeing something I already have on TV makes me feel like I'm ahead of the pack or maybe by seeing these things I feel like I'm more socially excepted. Whatever the reason, thinking about it now seems a little ridiculous and I'm glad that in the future I'll at least be a little more conscious of it.
I don't think I am very influenced with product placement because it is how everyday life is. There are products all around us. However, if I happen to previously own a product that is placed in a movie or something then I might feel prouder to own it. it definitely depends a lot on how the product is used though.
I think there is an attraction to products that movie stars and celebraties use. In our society of entertainment, these movie stars are the authority as to what is cool and hip. We pay attention to them in great detail.
When I think about it on a conscious level, I can say that I have never seen a product in a movie and then went out and bought it right away. That is most likely because I lack the financial resources right now to do so (with the BMW's and such). However, I am sure that I have seen certain products in movies and TV shows and without really thinking about it, at a sub-conscious level, purchased some product that I could afford.
I dont feel I have ever bought a product simply because of product placement. Although seeing a product constantly probably makes me more apt to try a product. I do often feel more important when a product I have is used on a television show or movie. It might not be by a large amount but it helps me feel more comfortable with my purchase if I see some celebrity using the same product as me.
I watched the movie "I Robot" recently and it has a bunch of product placement. Will Smith's car was designed for the movie by Audi, and his character wears converse all-stars. The movie was well made and I thought Will Smith's car was amazing.
I feel like I am influenced as a consumer with product placement. I obviously can't afford an Audi, but this movie makes me want one.
For the second question,I do feel cool if I know or see a photo of a celebrity owning something I own. Steve Madden boots are really popular right now, and on the Steve Madden site, each pair of boots lists "celebrity sightings" of celebrities who have been seen wearing that specific pair of boots. Depending on the celebrity, this can influence how much I like the boots.
As cool as product placement may seem, I personally don't feel affected by it. Just because someone is drinking a Dr. Pepper on my favorite TV show doesn't mean I will go out and buy a Dr. Pepper. That being said, it is sometimes cool to already own a product that you then see on TV or celebrities. It makes me feel cool :-)
I am affected by product placement without even thinking about it at times. I feel like if a person is wearing a certain product, I feel like, "ok, I am cool if I have the same thing." I think it is a very good strategy in advertising a product.
I think my buying habits have been affected by things I saw on TV and in movies, but now I have come to a point where I want to create more of my own style. There are times when I see some kind of gadget or clothing that I think look cool, but I tend to take those things I see and personalize them to my tastes. There is no doubt that celebrities always have people looking to see what products they use, but I don't think everyone necessarily follows those trends unless they idolize a particular celebrity.
I would like to think I'm above the fact that I feel cool when I use a product that is featured in a film, but I'm not. The minute I saw the Diet Coke Cans in Lady Gaga's hair in her "Telephone" I felt validated in my addiction.
Product placement has definately affected me. For example, in the new Iron Man 2 movie, I saw Tony Stark driving a really cool Audi. I thought to myself, wow! I would love to drive one of those. Obviously, I can't buy one, but the thought of driving one like him was intriguing to me.
I don't think product placement gets me unless the ad is really good. If I think the ad is funny and like it then i am more susceptible to product placement.
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