by CAL, Curmudgeon at Large
We expect the Coke logo all over American Idol. In marketing, this is called Product Placement, and Coke pays zillions to have Simon Cowell drink Coke. Ad agencies try to figure out how to get their BMWs in car chases, Yoplait in sitcom lunch scenes, and Fendi purses on starlets.
Here is the idea. If we see a star using it, we GOTTA have it and use it, too. Lemming management it is called.
So I am watching the Oscars tonight and I am struck by the number of actresses and actors caught on camera chewing gum, with their mouth wide open! Morgan Freeman even showed his gum (CHOMP, CHOMP, YUMMY) during his interview on the red carpet. Sarah Jessica Parker was so excited about her borrowed dress and diamonds that SHE was chomping, chomping out in the audience. She knows better.
Unlike the Coke executives who call their friends after each American Idol, “Did you see Randy Jackson hold MY can all during the intro? Amazzzing!!” I am wondering if the Doublemint execs even know that all over America mothers are saying “See. see, see! THAT’s why you can’t chew gum!!” It has to hurt sales.
Gum must be the only product that product placers DO NOT want to see in a movie or TV show.
4 users commented in " The Oscars and Product Placement: Doublemint Gum, FAIL "
As someone who wonders why anyone would want to become a dentist, I really don’t want to see inside of other people’s mouths…especially if they are chewing on something.
I’m far from being stuffy but one would think that these folks would show some decorum when being photographed in general…much less during a black tie event!
P.S. GL, is the “lemming management” your word twist on Deming? Love it!
Thanks for making a comment Jeanne. All of us tend to be followers, even when we shouldn’t be, as per the public gum chewers and show-ers. Lemmings seems to fit..and Mr Deming would have known better.