• Which of these examples do you remember seeing in TV shows or movies? Did you realize at the time that these were product placement?
• Describe at least one more example of a product placement that you have seen recently--or in the past. I will give you 5 points extra credit if you can insert a video or images as an example on your post.
• In your opinion, how effective is the use of product placement? Do you think it affects the sales or recognition of brands? Explain your answer.

I didn't remember many examples in the two videos from TV shows or movies, but I didn't know that these were product placement at the time.  Although I didn't realized which movie the Chevrolet car is from, but I have seen multiple times a producer puts exotic car into the movie to embellish the overall quality of the movie. (example: Transformer I-III, James Bond)

While I was watching the news press about the Boston bombing suspect, one of the reporter used his iPhone recorder in place of the old fashion microphone. Even though the iPhone only appears on screen for less than 5 seconds, I remembered it.

I think it was effective product placement since he was the only reporter holding up a iPhone to record the messages.  The iPhone definitely stands out from the rest of the microphones.  In additional, iPhone was already a brand name phone, which will only add more recognition of the brand and favoritism.

Tobacco & Alcohol Advertising

This ad was created in 1950s, promoting the healthy cigarette myth. The man in the ad with suit and tie is obviously trying to portray that more professionals now smoke Kent.  I assume that they are trying to relate professionals and smoking (bold and large font stating "more scientists and educators smoke Kent with micronite filter"). Like Mrs. Cary have in her blog about the football advertisement, this ads try to imply that cigarettes could make a person look more intelligent and sharp, which is outrageously deceptive - Kent contained crocidolite asebestos, which is one of the deadliest forms of the fibrous mineral.

Then they go way over the bottom by adding, "For good smoking taste, it makes good sense to smoke KENT" to suggest that smoking cigarette is a good sense and it taste good.  The skyscraper at the back delineate that the man in the ads is somewhat of a high salary manager and his facial expression suggest that if anyone wants to make big money and sharp as he is then they have to smoke Kent.  

This is definitely a transformational advertisement, trying to make the people feel like the man in the ad if they smoke Kent. The cigarette company hopes that medium and high-income male worker will somehow make the connection that smoking will make them intelligent and look wealthy.  The small font of "than any other cigarette!" also shows that Kent is the best cigarette in the market if anyone wants to smoke.  Although for nonsmoker this ad might be stupid and fallacious, the real danger is for adults or maybe teenager that doesn't know about fibrous filter.

Comment on effective ad

This commercial is from McDonald's with LeBron James and Dwight Howard that remake of 1993 superbowl commercial.  Both players need to perform trick shot competition for a Big Mac and fries.

I chose this advertisement as effective ad because McDonald use two iconic basketball players to draw audience attentions right away.  We can instantly recognize the commercial is from McDonald with LeBron sitting next to the McDonald's bag.  All the basketball tricks and dunks keep me entertain and interest the whole time (makes me want to go out and play basketball). At last, the coach even takes a fries from the bag reconvening that everyone "lovin it".

The target market for this commercial is anyone who likes to play basketball or fans of these two iconic basketball players.  Although this is not as a wide-ranging appeal to other audience, but it will bring many fans and basketball players to buy Big Mac.

I consider this as an effective commercial. It is interesting and entertaining.  I watched it over and over again and still am mesmerized by the tricks and dunks.  The initial showing of the McDonald bag tells the audiences exactly what company it was from and ends the commercial with coach taking a fries out from the McDonald bag.