Forever Chasing Its Action Demo, Mountain Dew Rolls Out Street-Skating Film†

Brand Is Largely Unseen in Documentary About New York Scene

Advertising Age, May 13, 2008 — Mountain Dew makes its return to film production with its new skateboard documentary, "Deathbowl to Downtown," which follows the rise of street-skating in New York's shifting urban landscapes from the '70s to the present. The documentary, which took three years to make, is as much a sports action video as it is a look back at the Big Apple.

CBS Forms Special Ad Division for Brand Integrations†

New 'In-house Agency' to Start Talks With Marketers Earlier in a Show's Development

Advertising Age, April 11, 2008 — CBS Television Distribution, the syndicated-programming arm of CBS Corp., is forming a special ad unit within its ranks that aims to spark discussions of product integration earlier in the program development process — yet another sign that advertisers and media outlets are tackling deals that are more complex than in past years.

Sex and the City’ and Its Lasting Female Appeal

New York Times, March 17, 2008 — WHEN it comes to products helping to promote the coming film based on the popular TV series “Sex and the City,” it seems the sky is the limit.

Better make that the Skyy is the limit, as in Skyy vodka, which is being named the “official spirits sponsor” for the movie. Among the tie-ins are drinks made with Skyy to be served at Houlihan’s restaurants and named after characters like Carrie, Samantha and Mr. Big.

Product Placement Finds Its Way Into High-End Hotels†

Brandweek, November 12, 2007 — Now appearing at an inn near you: product placement. Brands like Sony and Restoration Hardware have negotiated deals that will seed their products in high-end hotel rooms. This low-tech approach not only allows hotel guests to sample products like a Sony PlayStation3, they can also buy them, and frequently at a discount.

Marketers Are Joining the Varsity

Marketing and media companies are now capitalizing on consumer interest in high school sports and becoming big boosters of them

New York Times, June 11, 2007 — Athletes, if they are talented, train hard and get a break or two, can climb the sports ladder from high school to college to the pros. Madison Avenue, sensing a lucrative opportunity, is heading the other way.

Product Placement Begins To Ebb, But Paid Deals Soar

MediaPost Publications, March 15, 2007 — WITH ALL THE TALK ABOUT new digital platforms for video, you might think marketers have forgotten about the tried-and-true product placement. But in a new edition of its annual survey, Stamford, Conn.-based PQ Media says product placement is still a healthy business, growing worldwide at 37% in 2006 to $3.36 billion.

Clorox Mixes Bleach and Chocolate -- in a Telenovela†

Advertising Age, February 19, 2007 — The next blockbuster Spanish-language telenovela is a dramatic tale of passion, betrayal, tragedy — and Clorox. Telemundo's "Dame Chocolate" ("Give Me Chocolate") will launch in mid-March with Clorox so tightly integrated into the soap opera that plot twists and characters' lives literally hinge on the effectiveness of the brand's products.

Spanish Television Reigns as King Of Product Plugs†

It's Hard to Tell Where Shows Stop and Ads Begin; In 3 Hours, 105 Mentions

Wall Street Journal, February 2, 2007 — McDonald's Corp. and General Motors Corp. wanted to plant upbeat references to their products in the script of Spain's top-rated television show, "Aqui no hay Quien Viva" ("No One Can Live Here"). In Spain, the world capital of TV ads and plugs, the writers were more than happy to oblige.

Global Trends to Watch†

Brand Strategy, April 10, 2006 — They may have started out as small-scale stunts, but some more unusual marketing techniques are catching the eye of mainstream advertisers.

Vuitton unpacks its clothes†

Financial Times, March 21, 2006 — LUXURY BRANDING: A new 'ready-to-wear' space at London's Harrods breaks one of the brand's cherished commandments