McDonald's pays to have cups (with fake coffee) on news desks

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:11 AM EDT

Article Source: Las Vegas Sun

We've debated product placement before - particularly of tv programs - but this goes too far, product placement on a tv news show!

Published to:

Scott (Scoop) Butki's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Bizarro World, IronyVine, Newsviners' Picks, RantVine, snarky compeditive grouphaters, The Truth Network, TV Lounge, TV-Guide
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{"commentId":2251154,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Two cups of McDonald's iced coffee (BUY!) sit on the Fox 5 TV news desk, a punch-you-in-the-face product placement (BUY!) to chase down your morning news.

They've been on the Las Vegas station set for about two weeks, following the lead of a few TV stations across the country, and they're still looking every bit as frosty and tantalizing (BUY!) as they were the first day you laid your eyes on them.

But wait, here's the best part: They're not real. Fake coffee on the real news, two plastic cups permanently filled with some kind of bogus drink. The anchors aren't even supposed to acknowledge them, McDonald's reps explain. That's part of their genius, my little lambs! They get into your mind without you knowing it. So they just sit there, two logo-emblazoned plastic cups, percolating into the psyche. Made-to-scale models that weigh something like seven pounds each — refreshing, and bottom-line boosting!

{"commentId":2251154,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

5 votes

#1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:12 AM EDT

{"commentId":2254061,"authorDomain":"dolores"}

Dolores M. Bernal

When I read things like this I get very depressed. God, I hope the end is near! I can't stand so much corporate non-sense anymore. This is very fu#! up! I got to move to Canada.

{"commentId":2254061,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"dolores"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":2259798,"authorDomain":"david-25"}

David L

Dont hold your breath even in Canada ...... advertising is creeping into all sorts of media, video games, board games, films, TV Soaps etc etc. The product is usually one in everyday use, and therefore not out of place in the environment into which it is placed. So our heros and heroines of TV Soaps get all sorts of products "lying around" "the flat" or whatever. Rambo99 walks into his room and there on the table is ...... take your pick, or rather pay for your pick :)

You get used to it and familiar with the brand etc by association, brand association is a huge Marketing Goal. Big Brother - complete with SuperSize and Large coffee - is upon us :)

{"commentId":2259798,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"david-25"}

#1.2 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":2260106,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Nice find Scott, it's a new spin on an old technique. Product placement was once a way for feature films to get additional funding. A famous case was when M&M's turned down an offer to do ET and Reeces Pieces scored with the success. If there's so much fake news and corporate media shaped to serve advertisers, why not go the next step and sell the stuff right from the anchor chair.

We're swallowing paid programming anyway. *smirk*

{"commentId":2260106,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

3 votes

#1.3 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":2262486,"authorDomain":"tellitlikeitis"}

tellitlikeis

As if we're going to forget about Mcdonald's. There's practically one on every corner.

{"commentId":2262486,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"tellitlikeitis"}

1 vote

#1.4 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":2262827,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Thanks, Pamela.

{"commentId":2262827,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

#1.5 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":2266349,"authorDomain":"caltha-palustris"}

caltha-palustris

Product placement is also part of product merchandising in retail. Ever wonder why things move around at your favorite retail outlet? Vendors pay for "prime real estate" placement, and product is rotated based on a weekly or biweekly and sometimes monthly cycle, usually at the front of the store to promote impulse buying.

It's Marketing 101, folks.

{"commentId":2266349,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"caltha-palustris"}

2 votes

#1.6 - Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":2251307,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

It wouldn't be so bad if it was at least real coffee. I don't like that it's taking this stoop into product placement, but if they're going to do it anyway, at least make it real. Let them sip it. Otherwise I'm pretty sure people are going to start getting suspicious when neither person so much as acknowledges the cups or drinks out of them.

Weird, man.

{"commentId":2251307,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

3 votes

#2 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:39 AM EDT

{"commentId":2251605,"authorDomain":"rascal2pt0"}

Rascal 2.0

Even better than that is sitcoms doing local product placement based upon the broadcast area. The can/box/(insert product here) is typically green screened so they can put whatever local advertiser pays.

{"commentId":2251605,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"rascal2pt0"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252630,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

If they're not going to drink it then who knows where this will go - maybe they can have a mime behind them juggling while advertising something on his shirt.

wouldn't be so bad if it was at least real coffee. I don't like that it's taking this stoop into product placement, but if they're

I hope that one day they do drink it (whether intentionally or accidently) only to find that it's days old coffee.

{"commentId":2252630,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

4 votes

#2.2 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:46 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252855,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

"I hope that one day they do drink it...."

HA! First thing I thought of when they mentioned the poundage of the fake cups and fake contents....was picturing in my mind the 'THUD' as one was accidently knocked over during a broadcast.

{"commentId":2252855,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

3 votes

#2.3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253221,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

the fake cups and fake contents....was picturing in my mind the 'THUD' as one was accidently knocked over during a broadcast.

Or maybe a guest could knock it over "accidently" and then react as nothing pours out

{"commentId":2253221,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

5 votes

#2.4 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":2255289,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

At appx seven pounds each they better hope it doesn't land on someones foot!

{"commentId":2255289,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#2.5 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":2256905,"authorDomain":"kalika-h"}

Gingersnaps

Or maybe they get really thirsty, and be like "Dang..sure would like a cup of Jo."

{"commentId":2256905,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"kalika-h"}

2 votes

#2.6 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":2251611,"authorDomain":"lunartick"}

LunarTick

Gotta love how the cups are turned so that they're facing the cameras perfectly. Practices like this need to stop NOW!

{"commentId":2251611,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"lunartick"}

2 votes

#3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:34 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252650,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Gotta love how the cups are turned so that they're facing the cameras perfectly. Practices like this need to stop NOW!

Wouldn't it be great if one of the broadcasters was caught drinking a starbucks coffee thus infuriating McDonalds?

{"commentId":2252650,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

3 votes

#3.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":2251850,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

I noticed that WGN's news had an anchor closing a Dell laptop as the camera cut back to her. It looked just a little too scripted and I wondered if that was a case of product placement or just WGN trying to give the impression that their anchors are "up to the second" and checking updates while the meteorologist explains that it's going to be windy in Chicago again.

{"commentId":2251850,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"killfile"}

2 votes

#4 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:08 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252212,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

I've noticed a lot of tv news desks with laptops in clear view lately and most are Dell. I'm not sure if this is Dell's product placement or simply the fact that Dell is dominant in laptop computers.

{"commentId":2252212,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

3 votes

#4.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:56 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252667,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

The capper would have been if they said "this weather report sponsored by Dell". I'm waiting for the day when they go to the next step, namely "the nice weather today was sponsored by Nike" or "this week's heat storm is the fault of Wal-Mart which refused to buy ads on our program."

{"commentId":2252667,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

3 votes

#4.2 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:51 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252766,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

In my area we do have portions of weather segments that are sponsored by local advertisers. For example, the doppler weather segment is sponsored by the power company during the evening news and a car dealership during the morning news. The way I look at it, the bills have to be paid somehow.

{"commentId":2252766,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

2 votes

#4.3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252789,"authorDomain":"pmags"}

magz

Yeah, but fake coffee?

{"commentId":2252789,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"pmags"}

4 votes

#4.4 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252893,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

"Yeah, but fake coffee?"

Maybe McD's is worried about another 'burn' lawsuit. :)

Some marketing exec should be a bit embarrassed by the revelation that it's fake. But then.....it's more free advertising for them too.

{"commentId":2252893,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

3 votes

#4.5 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253241,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

In my area we do have portions of weather segments that are sponsored by local advertisers. For example, the doppler weather segment is sponsored by

Oh yeah I wasn't saying otherwise so much as that if it was a product placement for Dell I - and this is just me - would prefer they be explicit and state such rather than leaving it to viewers to wonder it was product placement they just witnessed.

But then I'd also love to see tv and movie credits list how much was paid for each product placement in said program.

The classic product placement, of course, was the candy in ET.

{"commentId":2253241,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#4.6 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253328,"authorDomain":"wood-s"}

trex-138069

Scoop: Actually, I think it was ET that created the idea. Spielberg wanted to use M&M's, because they were about the right size, colorful, good for creating a trail, etc. So he approached Hershey's and they said no. So he looked around for a similar-looking product, found Reese's pieces, and the rest, as they say, is history, though I never did find out what happened to the marketing genius at Hershey's who turned down the request. I imagine he's moved to Molvania or something.

{"commentId":2253328,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"wood-s"}

3 votes

#4.7 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253354,"authorDomain":"wood-s"}

trex-138069

Dubbya R: It's supposed to be ICED coffee. What I think they're more afraid of than a lawsuit for frostbite is that one of the anchors might take a sip, make a face and go "Blecccccchhhh!"

{"commentId":2253354,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"wood-s"}

2 votes

#4.8 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257128,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

trex - Thanks for the info. I hadn't heard that M&MS turned them down but I do know that the one who did the deal for Reese's is much touted (and deservedly so.)

{"commentId":2257128,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#4.9 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":2260122,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Gee, I should read all the comments first but the ET story came to mind immediately, sorry trex!

{"commentId":2260122,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#4.10 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":2251861,"authorDomain":"wood-s"}

trex-138069

Fox. That says it all.

{"commentId":2251861,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"wood-s"}

1 vote

#5 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:09 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252205,"authorDomain":"annoyed-373400"}

Annoyed-373400

Couldn't agree with you more. FOX is part of the problem.

{"commentId":2252205,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"annoyed-373400"}

1 vote

#5.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:55 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252759,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) ButkiDeleted

{"commentId":2253173,"authorDomain":"annoyed-373400"}

Annoyed-373400

True....but FOX is one of the worst in general. The programming is horrible and the news shows....I don't think there is a word to properly label it.

{"commentId":2253173,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"annoyed-373400"}

1 vote

#5.3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253256,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

This is happening in other countries as well

{"commentId":2253256,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#5.4 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":2259465,"authorDomain":"alistairbrown"}

Alistair Brown

I distinctly remember an episode of Frasier where Martin orders (specifically) Jameson's, rather than just scotch, or whisky. Then of course there was Friends where Boddington's is mention about five times in ten seconds, does it count when M*A*S*H used alterations of Burma-Shave rhymes so often?

Fox is terrible, but product placement is everywhere and has been for an exceptionally long time.

{"commentId":2259465,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"alistairbrown"}

2 votes

#5.5 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:02 AM EDT

{"commentId":2260146,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

It isn't just FOX, but they have raised it to an art form. There was a CMD 2006 report on fake news aired as broadcasts, this problem has been evolving as the worthless coverage competes for audience and attempts everything but real journalism and accurate reporting first.

"Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed" is the title of a report released on April 6, 2006, by the Center for Media and Democracy. The multi-media report tracked television stations' use of selected VNRs over 10 months. The report summary states: "CMD identified 77 television stations, from those in the largest to the smallest markets, that aired these VNRs or related satellite media tours (SMTs) in 98 separate instances, without disclosure to viewers. Collectively, these 77 stations reach more than half of the U.S. population. ... In almost all cases, stations failed to balance the clients' messages with independently-gathered footage or basic journalistic research. More than one-third of the time, stations aired the pre-packaged VNR in its entirety." [

{"commentId":2260146,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

4 votes

#5.6 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252161,"authorDomain":"ares"}

Matthew B. Travis

BUY!

It's not just Fox stations doing it I don't think. What do I know though. I just know I'm hankering for a hot cup o' joe.

{"commentId":2252161,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"ares"}

3 votes

#6 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":2260156,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

Nope, it's widespread. Look up one thread to the link in #5.6!!

{"commentId":2260156,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

2 votes

#6.1 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252259,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

This is one area where I tend to be very "republican"

I have no problem with the concept and practice of product placement.

But I do change the channel because it tends to look tacky and it turns me off; I simply don't enjoy the show.

{"commentId":2252259,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

1 vote

#7 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:02 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252440,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

I wouldn't characterize being in favor of the free market as "republican" but I take your point. I do have one exception to that. I'm seriously question the value of pharmaceutical advertisements.

Also, if you want to make absolutely sure that I religiously use my DVR to skip all of your commercials be sure to advertise lots of products for incontinence, constipation, and menstruation.

{"commentId":2252440,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"killfile"}

3 votes

#7.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252706,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Also, if you want to make absolutely sure that I religiously use my DVR to skip all of your commercials be sure to advertise lots of products for incontinence, constipation, and menstruation.

But how else would I know which tampons to buy for my non-existent girlfriends?

{"commentId":2252706,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

2 votes

#7.2 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:55 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252753,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

But how else would I know which tampons to buy for my non-existent girlfriends?

in the event an actual girlfriend, you'll be expected to care enough to pay attention to what she uses and know what to buy without having to be told. Just a heads up for ya.

-you'd probably better get a pint of Chunky Monkey while you're at the store too...

{"commentId":2252753,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

1 vote

#7.3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252883,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

in the event an actual girlfriend, you'll be expected to care enough to pay attention to what she uses and know what to buy without having to be told. Just a heads up for ya.

-you'd probably better get a pint of Chunky Monkey while you're at the store too...

You will be sent to get them at a time that is not convenient for you. It's best to realize when she is running low and offer to stock up at a time when it is convenient for you. Get some ibuprofen while you're at it.

{"commentId":2252883,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

2 votes

#7.4 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253254,"authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

FDBryant3

I'm seriously question the value of pharmaceutical advertisements.

My only problem with pharmaceutical ads is that people will go to their doctor and insist they be written a prescription for it. I don't have a problem going to my doc and saying "hey, do you think I should take x to treat y" but if he says no and/or recommends something else - I'm going with his advice, that is what I pay him for.

Ultimately, if you trust a pharmaceutical ad more than your doctor - you need to find another doctor.

{"commentId":2253254,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

4 votes

#7.5 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257137,"authorDomain":"EarthAsylum"}

Kevin Burkholder

I'm seriously question the value of pharmaceutical advertisements.

Especially when more and more of the drugs being advertised need to be taken for the rest of your life to control some affliction that we never realized we had.

In my opinion, drugs are for recreational purposes only.

{"commentId":2257137,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"EarthAsylum"}

#7.6 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257177,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

But how else would I know which tampons to buy for my non-existent girlfriends?
in the event an actual girlfriend, you'll be expected to care enough to pay attention to what she uses and know what to buy without having to be told. Just a heads up for ya. -you'd probably better get a pint of Chunky Monkey while you're at the store too...

While I appreciate the heads up not only do I know what product a former girlfriend used but it wasn't until about 3 years after we broke up that I got around to throwing them away. I had (still have) no idea if there's an expiration date for tampons.

You will be sent to get them at a time that is not convenient for you. It's best to realize when she is running low and offer to stock up at a time when it is convenient for you. Get some ibuprofen while you're at it.

Is that for me or her or both? Yes that's how I knew what kind she wanted – she sent me to the store to get some

{"commentId":2257177,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#7.7 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257201,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I'm seriously question the value of pharmaceutical advertisements.
My only problem with pharmaceutical ads is that people will go to their doctor and insist they be written a prescription for it. I don't have a problem going to my doc and saying "hey, do you think I should take x to treat y" but if he says no and/or recommends something else - I'm going with his advice, that is what I pay him for. Ultimately, if you trust a pharmaceutical ad more than your doctor - you need to find another doctor.

This is a pet peeve of mine and I get particularly mad when I see drugs reps at the office of my doctors (though my indignancy is checked by my using the free samples sometimes)
To me this came to a head when there was that product with the ad line that was something like "ask your doctor for the purple pill." So not only was it vague what the product was for but viewers were being trained to choose pills based on colors.

{"commentId":2257201,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#7.8 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252629,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

As long as it doesn't affect 'content' of news stories, it doesn't bother me. It can even be a little humorous with the awkwardness of obvious PP like these fake coffees, or other deliberately placed products.

I'm still wondering if the concept even works on anybody......beyond morons I mean.

{"commentId":2252629,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#8 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:46 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252784,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

I'm still wondering if the concept even works on anybody......beyond morons I mean.

I don't know if it's as much about trickery or subliminable messages as just creating awareness of a product.

The way I figure, if 5 million people see something, and 20% of them say "hey, that looks good..."

{"commentId":2252784,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

2 votes

#8.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252957,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

"The way I figure, if 5 million people see something, and 20% of them say "hey, that looks good..."

I doubt the figures are that high, but you make a good point. The thing is, there is a proportion who will react negatively too. The awakwardness and obviousness of a placement is what makes me gag on it. But even then, my negative response is confined to the 'placement', and not directed at the product. I've never noticed PP's influencing my buying decisions, one way or the other, and I suspect their impact is greater with youth.

{"commentId":2252957,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#8.2 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253889,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

The awakwardness and obviousness of a placement is what makes me gag on it. But even then, my negative response is confined to the 'placement', and not directed at the product.

agreed, I usually just stop watching the show.

{"commentId":2253889,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

2 votes

#8.3 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252647,"authorDomain":"pmags"}

magz

Despicable, on both sides.

{"commentId":2252647,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"pmags"}

1 vote

#9 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":2252828,"authorDomain":"bargaincnc"}

UHUH

"but this goes too far, product placement on a tv news show! "

Ever seen a commercial?

{"commentId":2252828,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"bargaincnc"}

2 votes

#10 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":2252899,"authorDomain":"ktmartin"}

Karmart

I was really preplexed on this one. I didn't know whether to stare longer at the two large sized cups on the desk or the pair that the female newscaster was displaying in the photo.

{"commentId":2252899,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"ktmartin"}

4 votes

#11 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257840,"authorDomain":"niafabo"}

niafabo

Best comment ever. lol.

{"commentId":2257840,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"niafabo"}

1 vote

#11.1 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253124,"authorDomain":"lc3"}

LC3

I enjoy participating in the market, but not being turned into an unwitting pawn by companies looking for ways to sneak subliminal ads into my view.

{"commentId":2253124,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"lc3"}

1 vote

#12 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253163,"authorDomain":"jennifer-troupe"}

JLTpa

Does anyone ever watch THE SATURDAY NIGHT SOLUTION on TruTV? Some of the stuff they promote on that show is so obvious. And they'll do it no matter how embarrassing the product may be.

Emcee 1: What's that you have there, Jim?
Emcee 2: Well this is Smith's Hemorrhoid cream.
Emcee 1: Does it work?
Emcee 2: I have had some pretty terrible hemorrhoids, but now they're all gone with Smith's Hemorrhoid cream. You can find it in the medicine isle at your local supermarket.

{"commentId":2253163,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"jennifer-troupe"}

3 votes

#13 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253466,"authorDomain":"damiankd"}

DamianKD

Kelly McBride, the ethics group leader for Poynter Institute, the nonprofit journalism training organization, isn't convinced. Product placement in a newsroom, she worries, represents the "slippage" of news into advertisement, a descent into a dark world where conglomerate companies control coverage.

Never happen. Not in a million years. This is the US, afterall.

(This message approved by the United States Government.)

{"commentId":2253466,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"damiankd"}

2 votes

#14 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":2253961,"authorDomain":"swornfuk"}

swornfuk

Excellent point. Viacom owns CBS, Time Warner owns CNN, Disney owns ABC, GE owns NBC in all its variations, and News Corporation owns Fox. Product Placement is essentially a shameless plug, but at least you know what it is.

{"commentId":2253961,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"swornfuk"}

3 votes

#15 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":2254471,"authorDomain":"emaslak"}

OhioEd

Fake coffee, Fake News... what's the big deal?

Do you all not think that every time a brand name is plainly seen on TV, Movies, Music Video's..... etc. is not paid for?

I guess you all forgot about the FedEx commercial that starred Tom Hanks. Getting people to pay to watch a hour+ long commercial.. brilliant but bogus.

{"commentId":2254471,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"emaslak"}

2 votes

#16 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":2254556,"authorDomain":"swornfuk"}

swornfuk

And the most memorable line from that commercial: "WILSON!"

{"commentId":2254556,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"swornfuk"}

2 votes

#17 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":2255653,"authorDomain":"LynneaofHeaven"}

Lynnea of HeavenDeleted

{"commentId":2255879,"authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}

benjaminstraight

This happens all day every day.

{"commentId":2255879,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}

#19 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":2256215,"authorDomain":"kelsey-enns"}

AmericanTransvestite

I think we're missing the real point here. Monica Jackson is pretty hot.
That, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, in a few years this won't seem so bad. Frankly I find Colbert's product placement to be a lot worse (that being said at least he has the decency to be overly annoying about it).

{"commentId":2256215,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"kelsey-enns"}

3 votes

#20 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":2262857,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Colbert's product placement to be a lot worse (that being said at least he has the decency to be overly annoying about it).

Not me I think it's brilliant and hilarious because he shows overtly what others do more covertly.

{"commentId":2262857,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

#20.1 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":2299545,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

benjaminstraightThis happens all day every day.

Does it? On news shows? Can you elaborate or cite evidence of that?

{"commentId":2299545,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

#20.2 - Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:26 AM EDT

{"commentId":2256612,"authorDomain":"DrBlockbuster"}

Dr Blockbuster

But wait a minute ... did anybody think to check out whether the Fox presenters were real???

Dr Blockbuster thinks the pictures display just cardboard cut-outs of the real presenters !!!

:roflmAo:

{"commentId":2256612,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"DrBlockbuster"}

2 votes

#21 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257198,"authorDomain":"EarthAsylum"}

Kevin Burkholder

As far as the coffee being fake...

Please find me one McDonald's ad - just one - anywhere in the world - that shows a picture of an actual McDonald's product.

{"commentId":2257198,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"EarthAsylum"}

2 votes

#22 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257746,"authorDomain":"veedub"}

veedub

Hey, I swear I read a story about the difference between the way food looks on an ad and the way it looks in real life in this same newspaper, but I can't find it to link to it. Fake food always looks better than the real thing.

{"commentId":2257746,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"veedub"}

2 votes

#23 - Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":2257934,"authorDomain":"tombonneau"}

tombonneau

People need to stop complaining about advertising and product placement on TV.

NEWS FLASH: The only reason the entire medium of television exists is advertising.

Gripe about it all you want, but without advertising you wouldn't know what to buy. That's because you -- like me and everyone else -- are a consumer. You can say you aren't affected by advertisements and all they do is annoy you, but deep down that is not the truth. Otherwise advertising wouldn't exist.

(And it wouldn't generate billions upon billions of dollars either.)

{"commentId":2257934,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"tombonneau"}

2 votes

#24 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":2259411,"authorDomain":"MadameXCupcake"}

MadameXCupcake

I'm in Vegas and often watch Fox 5 news in the morning. I remember the first morning the coffee was there. It was the morning they announced Starbucks would have some closings, all morning it was, 'Well Mc'Donalds has good coffee and its cheaper'. I remember saying to my husband, Mc'Donalds must be giving them money or something, they have mentioned their coffee all morning! Sure enough half way through the news those two cups showed up, and they're still there! We couldn't help but laugh, Its pretty sad when a news show will show Mc'Donalds products all morning.

But I guess with all the sexual innuendo on Fox 5 News[Which there is a TON] and bad flavored jokes, this shouldn't suprise me.

{"commentId":2259411,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"MadameXCupcake"}

1 vote

#25 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:56 AM EDT

{"commentId":2260614,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

Scott (Scoop) Butki

remember saying to my husband, Mc'Donalds must be giving them money or something, they have mentioned their coffee all morning! Sure enough half way through the news those two cups showed up, and they're still there! We couldn't help but laugh, Its pretty sad when a news show will show Mc'Donalds products all morning.

But I guess with all the sexual innuendo on Fox 5 News[Which there is a TON] and bad flavored jokes, this shouldn't suprise me.

Thanks for that report. I'd argue it's a big (not that size matters) leap from sex jokes to product placement entering - at least directly - news stories.

I just seeded two other weird stories and I'm realizing that it's probably getting hard to tell which is real and which is satire (that's what tags are for) but it's either amusing or maddening
that, for example, you might not be able to guess
whether this McCain piece is the satire or this one about lesbos?

is this mcdonalds piece stranger than fiction I'd argue yes.

To quote Mc900 foot jesus (a great industrial/techno band," truth is out of style."

{"commentId":2260614,"threadId":"317386","contentId":"1686032","authorDomain":"sbutki"}

1 vote

#26 - Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:31 PM EDT

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{"canLink":false,"threadId":"317386","isPrivate":false}

SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI

Backyard

McDonald's pays to have cups (with fake coffee) on news desks

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: