Ad-flicks — coming your way online
p2pnet news | Advertising:- What’s a “product-centered” program?
It’s a extension of the marketing technique used by companies such as Apple and Marlboro cigarettes to have their product blatantly featured in a movie.
But with “product-centered” programming, there’s no attempt to pretend whatever it is that’s being promoted is just an incidental part of an overall scene.
And it’ll be aimed squarely at the Net.
“NBC Universal Digital Studio will work with a division of Omnicom Group Inc. to create programs that help advertisers sell their products,” according to the Associated Press.
“The programming will be broadcast on NBC Universal’s digital properties, such as Web sites.”
The companies are, “proactively working with our clients, the advertisers, to deliver compelling content to our audiences, wherever they are,” NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman is quoted as saying.
The first ad-flick will arrive this summer, says the Los Angeles Times, going on the unit’s first programs will be “Gemini Division,” a Sci-Fi “action drama” starring Rosario Dawson, and “Woke Up Dead,” about a college student, “who develops zombie-like tendencies”
“Intel Corp., Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are among the first brands involved with the development of ‘Gemini Division,’ states AP, adding:
“The collaboration between NBC and Omnicom offers ‘a unique way of giving brands a seat at the table with writers and producers in developing episodic programming that ties directly to brand needs,’ Omnicom Media Group Digital chief executive Matt Spiegel said.”
Digital Studios is, “charged with producing and discovering branded programming for its various digital properties,” says the Washington Post.
‘Gemini’ has Dawson, “as a New York cop investigating the bizarre murder of her husband and who uncovers a global conspiracy involving the creation of simulated live forms that have assimilated with the unsuspecting public,” says FilmWad.
Will the ad-flicks be interrupted by ad-breaks?
Just asking.
Associated Press – NBC Universal, ad agency to create product-centered programs, April 18, 2008
Los Angeles Times – NBC Universal forms digital unit for shows, products, April 18, 2008
Net throttling problems – 3rd protester joins Bell ‘anti-throttling’ club, April 17, 2008
Washington Post – NBCU Reopens Digital Studio With Branded Content In Mind; OMG Digital Named Strategic Partner, April 17, 2008
FilmWad – Rosario Dawson Joins Gemini Division
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April 18th, 2008 at 10:46 am
There are two types of ads that I watch; Those that are funny, and those that have attractive women in them (I prefer girl-next-door types rather than supermodels). If such an ad comes on, I will usually stop and watch it, unless it’s over-played to the point where I get sick of seeing it.
Most ads just aren’t funny, or don’t have anyone I want to watch in them. Also, I would be less inclined to tune out advertising if there wasn’t so damn much of it! Back when TV shows used to only 2-4 commercials per break, I never bothered to change the channel (of course most TVs didn’t have remotes back then). Now commercial breaks last around 4-5 minutes, so I just switch to something else. Or record it and fast forward over the ads.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:47 am
*&^%$#@ WordPress!
April 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
WORDPRESS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Sure, that posts…
April 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
My question is:What happens when eventually, a movie is filmed, and natural billboards occurring on, let’s say Market St. SF (a recognizable area), are digitally replaced by editors. Will the original advertiser have a problem with this?. I don’t mean replaced with a gag advert aimed at advancing the plot, but replaced with, perhaps, a competing product line (Coke vs. Pepsi for example).
I was also surprised to see the words Marlboro cigarettes and “marketing” in the same sentence. I wonder if this is a way to sideskirt the laws regarding cigarette advertising. It’s hard to argue blatant advertising when the main character happens to like Marlboro Reds, and chokes them down frequently throughout the film, and can arguably be a quirky character point.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
“But with “product-centered” programming, there’s no attempt to pretend whatever it is that’s being promoted is just an incidental part of an overall scene.”
This is already the case with most flicks. Blatant advertising is present in most scenes in spite of charging egregiously high prices for admissions and dvds. It is indicative of the rapacious nature of the entertainment cartels, for we should be fortune for the privilege of paying to view sagaciously placed advertisements should we not?.
April 21st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I’ve read that not only do they want to start including real ads in games, they want to make the ads replaceable so that new ads can be downloaded over time to keep the ads in the game current!