that's what friends are for.....

Extra Credit BLog: Rachel Cicardo

This TV Ad is trying to sell Bud Light beer by using movie star, Will Ferrell. This is "hard sell" because it is using one of the funniest, well-known actors to explain why we should drink Bud Light. He uses comic charm to convince us that it is the best. He even says that it would make a great Valentine's Day gift. He also says that all he drinks is one, just one is all he needs. Maybe if you drink Bud Light also, you will be as funny and witty as Will Ferrell.

The ad also has "soft sell" characteristics. Bud Light is an established name brand that is well-known with stable users. People who drink Bud Light will continue to drink it, and people who do not like it may or may not switch to Bud Light depending on how much they were really affected by the commercial. It is also "soft sell" because there is urgency in using the product. No one HAS to have the product immediately due to health or other important reasons.

This commercial does appeal to non-product related needs. It focuses more on Will Ferrell and the movie, Semi-Pro. I think the ad focuses more on promoting the film and the humor of the actor than it does the product. But it also wants the product to help the consumer to have the desire to be funny and the center of attention.

Extra Credit BLog: Leah Cicardo

This electrolux ad has many qualities that fall into both "hard sell" and "soft cell" categories. It's hard sell qualities include the colored washing machine and dryer craze. Although washer and dryers you could say are a neccasary item,but bright robin's egg blue washer and dryers are not. Also another thing the ad tells the consumer is that these appliances can cut your laundry time in half so you can focus on all the things you need to get done in the day to be as "AMAZING" as Kelly.
The "soft sell" components of this ad include the fact the appliances have repeated use. Also the fact that Electrolux brand is a name brand and established store qualifies as soft sell. The last soft sell component of the Electrolux washer and dryers is the intended buyer segment is aimed toward mature adults with residents in the United States.
The product is definitely trying to appeal to non-product needs. Kelly Ripa's image represents independence, security, coolness, hip, attractive, succesful etc. Through integrating her into the product's commercial; Electrolux is saying that you too can be as AMAZING as Kelly and juggle your personal life, home life and job life as long as you do in fact have these appliances that cut out unnecasary time spent on doing laundry.

Extra Credit BLog: Leah Cicardo

Extra Credit BLog: Leah Cicardo

Advertisement: Morrie's Wigs

There are characteristics of this ad that are hard sell. The man claims, "Morrie's wigs DON'T come off, even underwater" as he jumps into a swimming pool with a wig on. He also claims, while standing outside in "extreme" wind, that Morrie's wigs do not even come off in hurricane winds. These are hard sell methods because they are portraying the product as the best or with really amazing qualities that other wigs probably do not have.

The commercial does utilize soft sell by associating the product with "any budget". It claims the wigs are affordable for anybody.

Maybe Morrie's Wigs did not do too great of a job but I believe they attempted to appeal to an audience desiring to feel more attractive. When persuading the audience that the wigs won't fly off at the wrong time or in hurricane winds, the man has his arm around several different women. The first time it just is just woman. The second time he has a young girl in each arm! They are seemingly saying, "If you wear Morrie's wigs, you'll get all of the ladies."

Honda Christmas Commercial- Jill Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na2Paed8k8M

This recent Honda commercial was made on November 25, 2008. It really caught my attention because it wasn't your typical "pushy" car commerical which is very common because of the economy right now. This commercial was very "soft sell" in my opinion. I didn't really see much "hard sell" in this commerical, but if I really had to look closely for some, I would say that when the commercial states, "For great leases and low financing, depend on your Honda dealer. Go to shop Honda.com for details," it could possibly be taken as "hard sell." This is because someone may feel like they are telling us for great leases and low financing, we should purchase a vehicle from Honda only. There was way more "soft sell" in this ad, and that is what I really liked about it. The music they chose makes you feel at ease, and just the fact that this family is donating food to charity, makes you feel "cozy" inside, and gets you in the holiday spirit. Also, the fact that the Dad and the son are doing this together during Christmas, it can relate to one's personal memorable moments similar to these spent with a parent on Christmas. At the end when they are advertising, they say "Happy Honda Days," which softly incorporates Christmas into their brand name. As well as using a little wrapped present as the icon for Honda.com. I feel the ad tries to make us feel calm and happy for the holiday season. It wants us to feel comfortable and trusting of the Honda dealerships.

This beautiful BMW Z3 Roadster replaces James Bond's Aston Martin used earlier in the same film. The car is a certain eye catcher and serves well a new addition to the Bond car family. This car has two scenes, on of which it is introduced as his new ride by a man named 'Q' who serves as James Bond's gadget provider. The scene takes place in MI-6 in Q's lab. The other scene is a short one that show Bond and his companion driving through the Bahamas. The integration is substantial in that it replaced a Bond favorite, the Aston Martin, a much used brand in previous Bond films with the new BMW.

My belief is that this BMW was placed in this film simply to show off and launch BMW's Roadster internationally. People love James Bond. He has a calm, suave attitude but can turn around a kill a couple men and still get the girl. James Bond is an icon of perfection that people want to see. His new missions, his new gadgets, his new girls, and his new cars. James Bond goes way back through the Bond franchise only becoming better and greater and a bigger success with each new film.

I don't believe that this product integration detracts anything from my pleasure of watching the film. People watch the Bond movies almost to see this type of integration. By using this BMW in the film it really sets the scene in that you get this idea that because Bond has this vehicle, he can do anything. For the scene with him actually driving it, it fits perfectly into the tropical background that he is driving through. The product integration of this BMW Z3 Roadster makes the film a little flashier, more realistic, and sets a new bar for how far Bond can go.

back on topps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefuefSuWtU

Nissan, Spring and Apple to the Rescue

I remember when Heroes was actually good, but the worse thing about the show has always been they're blatant, albeit funny integration of products. Here are still shots of the Nissan Versa drawn into a comic book featured in the show.
In this episode Hiro and Ando are at the airport car rental place and decide to get a Nissan Versa. Later in this episode (or season, I can't seem to remember), there is a major explosion of some sort and Hiro and Ando make it out safe only to walk up the car and say "Well, at least the Nissan Versa is okay." There are other product placement techniques used throughout the show. For example, a recent episode found a character stranded in the dessert in Africa where a native found him. Matt Parkman an American, tries to use his cell phone to dial out but is unsuccessful, to which the native replies, "Shoulda gone with Sprint."

Heroes is a hit show, so it's appropriate that these companies would want their products integrated. Likely these products sponsor the show largely, as you see Nissan cars throughout the show. The integration of the products is sometimes jarring, yet at times it is funny, as you can see from the scenes I described above.

back on topps

During the webisodes of back on topps it was always brought to you by skype. Skype is a internet phone service that lets you talk to people online will using a web cam.
Through out the entire series the sklar bro's use skype for either talking to each other or talking to pro athletes such as Greg Oden or Julio franko, who they did about 5 episodes about

They even reference mobi tv on their phones, during a couple of episodes, it sounded alot like the 30 rock youtube clip.

Before i ever watched this web series i new the sklar bro's through espn, and for the fact that they guest host the JIM ROME SHOW which is amazing and has serious product integration, really just listen his sponser plugs are sometimes ridiculous, but the web series is all about integration with skype, topps (card company for those who may read but not no), and for the shamless plugs that are sponser drivin. Good show, good itergation.

Pottery Barn

In this episode Pottery Barn is worked into the script and the characters on the show are actually talking about it and shopping there. The intergration is fairly obvious becuase of how many times each character says Pottery Barn. During the time that this episode came out Friends was a very popular show so to have the characters shopping at and taking about Pottery Barn was a positive thing for the store because it was a different way of advertisement. All the characters on Friends are attractive and young, so shopping at Pottery Barn had to be a good thing. The way they input Pottery Barn into the script was a good idea, but I think it was a bit over done and that they could have done a better job at making a little bit more realistic.

Gatorade!

By. Sarah Crowe

1. This classic Gatorade commercial embodies several aspects that can be described as “hard sell.” Often times advertisers want viewers to know about their product by stuffing factual details into their commercial. In the “Gatorade” commercial, a brief history of how the drink originated is given. According to the commercial, “Gatorade” was the answer to a dehydration problem during a University of Florida football game back in 1965. However, besides the facts, the commercial also tells users why they may consider purchasing this drink. The commercial does not specifically tell us to “buy Gatorade.” Rather, we should look at the world-class athletes such as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Dwyane Wade who have used Gatorade and see what it has done for them. By just using pro athletes and their talents, Gatorade claims that you can have this talent too, by asking the simple question, “Is it in you?”

2. Besides having aspects that can be described as those of “hard sell,” the Gatorade commercial also describes aspects that are “soft sell.” Soft sell strategies often aim towards the youth, using methods that can be described as “cool.” So what about this commercial make Gatorade “cool?” Well, the fact that MICHAEL JORDAN drinks Gatorade is all that needs to be said! To many youth, seeing professional athletes, many whom are their idols, drinking a beverage that their hero drinks too is enough for them to beg mom and dad to go to the grocery store.

3. Regardless of the methods of “hard sell” and “soft sell,” the Gatorade commercial certainly does reach out to the youth. By drinking Gatorade, you’re going to feel cool. You’re going to feel like a pro athlete. You may even perform at your next basketball game like one. If anything, you will most likely feel more athletic. Getting to that point of no energy and drinking this electrolyte filled drink is going to make you feel sporty, and to many, this feels attractive. Having that “it” body is what they believe to be attractive. And Gatorade may help get you there… After you do the athletic part.

Transformers and GM

In the movie Transformers, a unreleased version of the Chevrolet Camero is featured as the main character's car. Funny thing is the car is also alive and has the ability to transform into a super awesome robot whose purpose is to fight other robots from ultimately destroying the planet. So of course, this sexy beast of a car is flashed at every angle like a playboy centerfold during the movie. Luckily, the car's personality is gentle as well often showing affection for other people in the movie. The manufacturer of Camero, General Motors, has a deal in the movie to blatantly integrate their products into the film. In fact the movie could be mistaken as a two hour long GM The film grossed 68 million its opening weekend so GM got what it wanted I guess. But to those who are familiar with GM's products might of found it offensive that the movie didn't try disguise the product placement at least a little. Instead the went full blown "I don't give a damn if you know" product placement.

Who can really blame General Motors for such blatant product integration? The positive associations their products receive are endless. There cars are heroes in the movie that gives them power, courage, strength, and loyalty. That is perfect for GM as an ad and they love how there product is integrated in the movie to showcase its features. This movie was a hit and the characters that use these cars in the movie are young and sexy. This makes the consumer feel they will sexy when they buy one.

The product integration was the whole movie and the whole movie was product integration. I'm sure this detracts from the pleasure of some car buffs who hate GM. Obviously with such a hit opening weekend the product integration didn't deter too many consumers from seeing the movie. Besides, who doesn't like seeing a movie about fighting car robots anyway? It doesn't make the movie more realistic because in real life there would be a more diverse set of brands of vehicle on the streets in the movie. that actually makes it look like a commercial even more. They should of had some more brands in the movie to make it more realistic and less like a commercial.

Southland Tales and Bud-Weis-Er....ugh.

This is a clip from the film "Southland Tales"

During this part of the film, the character played by Justin Timberlake walks around an arcade singing a song and drinking budweiser while rubbing up on some girls. He is also pouring a lot of the beer on his head and slinging it around. This is the only point in the film when this particular beer is used, but there are also other parts of the film that use Red Stripe (mmmm). I've noticed a large number of films using Red Stripe as of late. "Grandma's Boy," for instance. In Southland Tales neither of the brands are ever mentioned by name.

During the budweiser scene, a popular song is playing and the character Timberlake plays is in army fatigues and is obviously playing the role of a "bad-ass." A guy with blood on his green, army issued shirt while walking through a group of women and pouring beer on himself and throwing it around would i guess be an attempt to integrate the product with an "american bad-ass." This has always been their tactic, i guess. I mean, no one drinks Budweiser because of its taste. No one. Ever. Seriously.

The character that Timberlake plays (and Timberlake himself) is easily seen as a young and sexy guy. He's a pop superstar.

This particular scene, i think, is enhanced by the integration of Budweiser. I find it to be a little satirical in the first place. Having someone walking around drinking this particular beer coupled with the over-the-top'edness of the scene definitely wasn't merely product integration. It seems like a well thought-out addition to the audacity of the character in the scene. Something like "Woo-hoo....go America!"

Clean Your Mouth (raspberry orbit gum)

2.) At first there are no signs of a hard sell, they are just arguing calling each other names. They don't mention any product but you can see them chewing the gum. As the argument goes on you can notice them chewing the gum. Then at the end the "Orbit Lady" mentions, to get the dirties mouth clean, chew new raspberry orbit gum. Also at the bottom of the screen at the end it sums up what the ad for Orbit is designed to do.

3.) In the beginning, all it is a woman walking in on her husband and at first the ad is confusing. You don’t really know what the ad is about until the very end when they say turn this situation around with Orbit gum…also you can notice a shot of the three people happily together smiling with a sparkle in the midst of the smile and punch line.

4.) I do believe that with the use of humor you get the feeling to try the gum. This ad appeals to more than one person but really tries to capitalize on the fact of turning this nasty moment around with the new flavor of Orbit Gum. This kind of soft sell leaves you puzzled until you see the Orbit Gum, then it may not necessarily make you want to go buy the gum right then and there but you do remember it!

Mac vs PC

I think this commercial ad is using more a "soft sell" approach. There is no direct claims that Mac is much better and that consumers should choose it over the PC. However, the impression after seeing the ad is that PC is worse than Mac. I would say that "hard sell" approach of this ad is the dialogue between "PC" and "Vista", which shows how Vista has problems with security. The "soft sell" approach is the usage celebrity as spokeperson for Mac. Advertisers want to show us that Mac is young, successful, popular,friendly and more trendy than Vista. Avertisers try audience to identify with more relaxed and cool Mac. The Mac person wears a blue T-shirt and jeans, whereas Vista and PC are tight in the suits that make them look way too serious and not friendly. Vista and PC talk too fast and their voices are annoying. In other words, advertisers did a good job presenting PC in a bad light and give audience reasons to choose Mac, which is much cooler.

Advertisers want consumers to perceive their brand as cool, young, creative, succesful, popular, and with good security system.

Baby Come Back

Lauren Graham



2. In the beginning of the commercial, the sales clerk slips into the conversation that the Swiffer starter kit is money back gauranteed. Also, by showing the product being used, it seems like the company is trying to show that the product actually does work and it works well. They also state that the Swiffer is gauranteed to clean better than your average mop and broom.

3. By having the mop and the broom "pop out" from the aisle and the potatoes, the ad is displaying some soft sell characteristics. Also, the conversation in the beginning between the costumer and the sales clerk has subtle messaging when the clerk says that the costumer will never want to go back to her old mop and broom again.

4. I definetly feel that the ad can apply to many different types of people. By having humor in the beginning and the end of the ad, people are amused by the commercial and therefore possibly more interested in the product. Also, the use of music adds to the commercial.

"Top Chef" Integration Exaggeration

Leigh Rodrigue
Top Chef (4:57)


The clip above comes from Top Chef season 5 episode 3 where the contestants must change their current dish, taken from the Top Chef Cookbook, into a soup. Luckily they just happened to have multiple boxes of Swanson's broth (a sponsor of the show) for the chefs. This product is integrated in a way where the contestants must use it in order to complete the challenge. There are several mentions of the brand by the host and shots of the product forcing acknowledgement through repetition. Glad is also a sponsor of the show and the viewers are reminded at the begining of each episode of the $100,000 prize for the winner from Glad. Other brand names integrated in the show are Whole Foods, Evian, and Butterball. Top Chef also does a lot of cross promotion by using celebrities from other shows as guests. The Today Show was featured in season 5 episode 4 along with Rocco Dispirito who has a show on A&E. All three stations; NBC, Bravo and A&E have the same parent company NBC Universal.

I think these products, especially the food related ones, are integrated to lend the show and the product credibility. Top Chef is a competition and contestants are narrowed down from thousands to just 17. Having your product used by these "top" chefs and praised by and Tom Colicchio not only shows the item to a huge audience but also gives it credibility.

In my opinion Top Chef is a repeat offender of product integration especially with the close-ups of the GE appliances. It distracts from the experience of watching a competition when you cut to clips of whatever product they're plugging that week. The use of some of brands like Butterball and Whole Foods are smart and might encourage me to use them but I'm not going to go buy a Toyota because the chefs were driven around in them in season 2.

This ad can be seen as a "hard sell" because it is "in your face" which I believe is a characteristic of a hard sell.Some people could find this ad irritating, like the stain. It also has bold print at the end that can be seen as a characteristic of this.Also, we have a chance to"get famous" by going to mytalkingstain.com that instantly grabs our attention. Although this message isn't very subtle, it has a soft sell characteristic.The situation itself, most people can familiarize with first impressions and also a job interview. This is ad is successful in appeals to those of is that have a need to feel secure, attractive, and successful. The tide to go stick offers all of these apparently. This ad does hit home for most of us I'd say.