The segment on product placement finally ran this morning on NPR's marketplace. Here's the landing page and here's the direct link to the audio.
It's really a good segment and underscores the value of what I would call "organic" product placement, as opposed to paid placement. Did any of the brands or companies mentioned in SNL's Lazy Sunday pay for their placement? Probably not...but who cares in this case, because it worked (as in had it going on)
The problem with product placement/branded entertainment is when money changes hands...that's when expectations soar and become positively unrealistic. That's when gratuitous overexposure sours the consumption experience.
The opportunity is not in paid placement, but I believe (and a little ironic perhaps) in the role of paid media to capitalize on organic placement. Until that happens, I won't hold my breath...
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