The 10 Most Obvious Product Placements In Movies

Lady GaGa‘s music video for Telephone was basically one huge product placement and it seems that every reality show may as well just be ads with celebrities in them because the there is an insane amount of product placement in every single one of them. It’s not just music video and reality shows that are prone to having companies place hidden ads within them, Hollywood studios get a ton of money from product placement in their movies which leads me to this list of 10 movies that are the most obvious product placements:

Transformers: GM

When Michael Bay stepped in as director of ‘Transformers,’ he knew cars would play a huge part in the action-packed robot movie, so he shopped the vehicle placement around to car manufacturers looking for the highest bidder. GM emerged on top, offering $3 million. At one point in the flick, Bumblebee, the beloved little autobot, transforms into a sexy 2009 Camaro.

Transporter 2: Audi

Sometimes it seems action movies were created simply as extra-long commercials for fast cars. The second installment in Jason Statham’s ‘Transporter’ series certainly felt that way, as private chauffeur/ex-special forces agent Frank Martin transports dubious packages and people in his Audi A8 W12.

You’ve Got Mail: AOL

Didn’t think you could product place in a romantic comedy? You’re oh so wrong. Even this movie’s title was AOL-centric. It totally drove home a message to singles — if you don’t use AIM, you will indeed die alone … just like you’ve always feared.

Mission Impossible: Apple

Saving the world is easy when you’re using a Mac. If Ethan Hunt had been using a PC, well, the rogue assassins would have won.

Demolition Man: Taco Bell

In the American dystopia of 2032, Taco Bell remains the last fast food franchise standing after winning the “Franchise Wars.” This blatant product placement allows futuristic ball buster Sylvester Stallone to consume much needed chalupas on the go. Important side note, the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” chihuahua was not cryogenically frozen and therefore did not advance to 2032. Sad.

Cast Away: FedEx

We’ve never been able to decide if this product placement was good or bad for the FedEx image. The FedEx plane did crash (not a good thing), but in the end Tom Hanks delivers the package (good thing). (fact: every time I watch this movie I swear off of airplanes omg)

Up In The Air: American Airlines

Jason Reitman’s much-lauded dramedy may never have been made had it not been for product placement and the various trades Reitman made with American Airlines to obtain filming locations in return for product infiltration.

Tropic Thunder: TiVo

Matthew McConaughey’s super agent Rick Peck will do anything for his client, Tugg Speedman, including hand delivering a TiVo into the Laotian jungle. Unfortunately, this hilarious placement hasn’t saved the TiVo from being cannibalized by cable company-provided DVRs.

E.T.: Reese’s Pieces

This one is product placement 101 and everyone’s favorite example of post-modern placement. When America fell in love with that adorable extra-terrestrial, we fell in love with those peanut butter filled chocolates, too. Sales for the candies shot up 65% the summer ‘E.T.’ was released.

Die Another Day: Omega, Samsonite, British Airways, Finalandia, Norelco, Revlon and Kodak

The Bond franchise has always been known for its powerful product placements. It’s Bond’s little secret that his entire life is sponsored by various consumer goods. MGM enlisted more than 20 marketing partners, who contributed more than $100 million in promotional support for this movie. Feel dirty? Sip some Finlandia vodka whilst applying some Revlon lipstick and you’ll feel much better.

source: The Top 10 Most Egregious Product Placements in Film [Popeater]

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The 10 Most Obvious Product Placements In Movies

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