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1.4.4: Product Placement in Movies

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    56718

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    It is not uncommon to be watching a movie and realize that your favorite actor is using a particular brand of product. In some cases, the product might be in the background, or may flash across the screen rather quickly, while in other cases the use of the product is obvious. Product placement in visual media has existed for a long time in television, movies, and online streaming media sometimes with some controversy. For example, Rod Serling, the creator of the popular television anthology series The Twilight Zone, which ran from 1959 to 1964, was an early critic of the practice (Bartlett 2023).

    One study considered the reactions of a sample of 103 individuals who viewed 11 different movies with 18 different product placements (d’Astous and Chartier 2000). Each participant in the study viewed the product placements in a random order. After viewing each product placement, each participant rated their reaction to the placement using a list of 27 phrases that included terms like “aggressive,” “amusing,” “original,” “related to film context.” The participants also answered general questions about how often they view movies, their general view of product placement, and some demographic information. The participants were then interviewed a week later and asked what brands and products they recall from the movie placements.

    Using statistical analysis techniques, the researchers were able to show that some characteristics of product placements have a positive effect while others have a negative effect. In fact, some characteristics can have either positive or negative effects based on other factors, according to the study. For example, they found that memory of a product placement is enhanced when the principal actor is present, and the placement is positively evaluated. They also found that memory of a product placement declined when the placement is judged as unacceptable and when it is well integrated into a scene.

    Results like these can be very useful to companies who wish to place their products in movies for the purpose of advertising. Such companies do not wish to present their product in a way that is either ineffective or produces a negative response. Companies want to ensure that their advertising budget is used in a way the produces positive and effective results.


    This page titled 1.4.4: Product Placement in Movies is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .

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