http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 434733.stm

There you go, then. When your favourite tv character lingers too long by a car, lovingly pats it and says “that’s a lovely motor”, you will know why.

I will, of course, be asking the BBC where I can get a Type 40 TARDIS.

As long as the product placement does not interfere with the story or show. Having a symbol put up when product placement will encourage side effects. Such as drinking games based on the number of times the product placement symbol appears, or people trying to spot the products being placed.

Unfortunately it is because of the people who cannot spot PP that we will be subject to the PP logo in broadcasts.

I can see the logo irritating me more than the actual product placement, assuming it's sensible.

Yes I agree. If done well it will be undetectable. Though some is so bad that even foreign programs should have the product placement logo imposed as well.

Does that mean we get less of those shows where they call attention to the fact the user is using a Dell/MacBook, because they have taped over the logo? That is more annoying than seeing the logo itself!

No they will do something like this


And have a product placement symbol on the screen.

Okay, had time to read the article... That is even worse than have the tape over logos!

Eventually, I would expect the logo to vanish. Advertisers will complain that it has a negative impact on their brand because the viewer’s perception would be that it cheapens* the programme and fewer people watch it.

* Mind you, given that ITV will be the main users of this, I don’t see how they could cheapen their output any more, so the above statement may be redundant. I’d be sorely pissed if Tony Robinson rolls up in a brand new Range Rover on Time Team (which he always does), and nothing happens, but all the spades and trowels magically seem to have come from Homebase

Yes but that happens already. Though without the logo or warning. You might see something in the credits. vehicles supplied by Land Rover, shovels by B&Q etc.

If they have any sense it'll be at the end, since the consumer is effectively paying with their licence for an advert

Oh, and you only had to watch an episode of Spooks (for instance) to know that BBC production and brand awareness teams are doing nicely out of product placement

The companies probably have a small team to make available products for companies so that they are seen on TV rather than a competitors. It also keeps the costs down for the production company making the show.