On CSI: NY tonight, about half-way through the episode, one of the character's cellphones starts ringing. It's playing Coldplay's new single "Talk" and we know that because the character tells this to the other actor in the scene, joking that it's (talking, we assume) something his girlfriend is good at.
The scene ends, cut to commercial, and "you too can get Coldplay's Talk, the song you just heard on tonight's CSI: NY" downloaded to your cellphone! As blatant commercial tie-in's go, this one's gotta take the cake.
Well, until 10 minutes later in the episode, when they use the same song as the background to one of the big reveal moments in the episode. And, once again, once the scene's over and the show goes to commercial, we get told how we can get Talk on our cellphone.
Dani pointed out that it's the only way advertisers can get their messages out, since people are TIVOing right past the commercials now. And I remember reading a column months ago, predicting just this trend as DVRs continue to make it easier to skip commercials.
I almost feel sorry for the actors, having to shill this stuff in the middle of what's supposed to be entertainment. I definitely feel sorry for those of us who just want to be entertained. And, once again, I hate the marketing geniuses pushing this "new" idea at us. Good thing I'm not a fan of Coldplay… boycotting their music's going to be easy.
The scene ends, cut to commercial, and "you too can get Coldplay's Talk, the song you just heard on tonight's CSI: NY" downloaded to your cellphone! As blatant commercial tie-in's go, this one's gotta take the cake.
Well, until 10 minutes later in the episode, when they use the same song as the background to one of the big reveal moments in the episode. And, once again, once the scene's over and the show goes to commercial, we get told how we can get Talk on our cellphone.
Dani pointed out that it's the only way advertisers can get their messages out, since people are TIVOing right past the commercials now. And I remember reading a column months ago, predicting just this trend as DVRs continue to make it easier to skip commercials.
I almost feel sorry for the actors, having to shill this stuff in the middle of what's supposed to be entertainment. I definitely feel sorry for those of us who just want to be entertained. And, once again, I hate the marketing geniuses pushing this "new" idea at us. Good thing I'm not a fan of Coldplay… boycotting their music's going to be easy.
Comments
The WGA has recently announced that they will lobby for 2 new issues in the upcoming contract:
A percentage of revenue based upon product placement.
AND, creative input on how to use product placement in the original show/film.
Oh no...
Or not. *sigh*