Categories: branded entertainment

Musicians Feel the Touch of Cotton, Cold Hard Cash

Posted by: Burth Helm on April 22

Earlier in the year Ron Grover and I wrote a story about the ways in which celebrities are working harder for their endorsement money, thanks in part to the down...

Holiday Inn Express Smart Show Comes Back for Second Season

Posted by: David Kiley on July 08

The Smart Show, brought to us by Holiday Inn Express, comes back for a second season. The series of episodes feel like a mash up between “Dirtiest Jobs” and Jay...

Chivas TV Not Worth Watching At Any Age

Posted by: David Kiley on July 12

There is a worthwhile discussion in the public square today about if and how liquor marketers should be allowed to advertise on TV and the Internet. On one side...

Sopranos Brand Cameos A Mixed Bag

Posted by: David Kiley on June 13

There probably have been times in the last year when Ford chairman Bill Ford must have felt like Phil Leotardo. Both men, after all, are the heads of families....

Martha Stewart Loves Costco. Now we know why.

Posted by: Burth Helm on May 08

Last month I wrote a story about product integrations on programs like the Martha Stewart Show. As I was reporting the story (read: watching hours and hours of TiVo'd daytime...

In iTunes/MySpace era, Ads and Artists are a Natural Fit

Posted by: Burth Helm on March 28

A few weeks ago I reported that John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, and Steven Stills are all in talks to write songs – on spec – for an upcoming Coors campaign....

"Into the Fire" gets it right

Posted by: Burth Helm on October 04

Marketers risk coming off like hucksters when they produce their own content (a practice we’re seeing more and more of, as I wrote about last spring). But I think this...

Crispin's BK Movie Idea Could Be A Whopper

Posted by: David Kiley on July 13

Ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky is shopping around a low-budget film script that would have a fair amount of Burger King brand integration in that the story is set...

Complaints From Hollywood Writers Ring Hollow

Posted by: David Kiley on May 18

Perhaps I feel this way because the last series on network TV I actually cared about, The West Wing, has been cancelled. But I find the crying by Hollywood...

Can Net Films make This Car Cool?

Posted by: David Kiley on March 16

Net films have become an interesting genre. But with BMW having set the bar for excellence so high, only those prepared for harsh comparisons need enter the fray. Enter,...

Poking Fun At Bad Product Placements

Posted by: David Kiley on March 10

We love this short film. It speaks for itself. http://www.topmodelforsale.com/...

Dawna Stone Not Much of a Reach For Martha Stewart

Posted by: David Kiley on December 22

So, Martha Stewart chose Dawna Stone as the winning apprentice. Would she have hired her in any other context? This is what Martha told BusinessWeek recently about the cast...

Donald Trump Knew All Along Martha's Show Would Fail. Makes You Wonder Why He Put His Name On It.

Posted by: David Kiley on October 20

In Donald Trump's storied career, one thing is for sure. He doesn't put his name on something he doesn't believe in or that he thinks is bad from the...

Video Gamers Like Ads In Games. Nutty.

Posted by: David Kiley on October 06

You know how people are decrying exceesive brand placement in TV shows, songs, books and movies. Turns out videogamers like the ads. Bring-em on, they say. A new study released...

BMW Getting Out of Branded Entertainment? I Don't Think So.

Posted by: David Kiley on October 03

Ad Age reports today that BMW is leaving the arena of branded entertainment. "The primary reason for BMW’s new backseat approach: Branded entertainment is just getting too expensive. According...

Product Placement Appearing in More Scripted Venues

Posted by: David Kiley on September 29

Talking to various product placement and brand integration specialists this past week leaves me with the conclusion that we will be seeing more product placement in scripted venues. Unscripted shows,...