If you watch any of the original programming on TBS and TNT, then you can tune in with a new sense of hometown pride. MillerCoors made a huge marketing move by signing an exclusive product placement deal with Turner Networks.
If a character needs a beer on "Franklin & Bash" then they will reach for a Blue Moon. Looking at the bar on "Sullivan & Son," then expect Coors and Miller Lite.
"Through this one-of-a-kind, category-exclusive arrangement, writers for TBS and TNT originals now have access to incorporate a MillerCoors product wherever it makes sense to incorporate a beer, neons, barware, tap-handles and even trucks," the company stated in a release and was reported by AdAge.
For those who think this new move of heavy product placement is crazy, then they forget TV programming roots. The medium has always been about advertising. Then again, so is this one that I write on. Click on those ads on this page for me, please.
In November, I presented a long look at product placements on both the big and small screens. Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock took the subject head-on in his film "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold." The film he produced for roughly $1.5 million only grossed around $639,000 at the box office.
I have no idea how many more MINI Coopers or bottles of POM Wonderful were sold because of the effort.
"It’s smart and most importantly, it keeps the viewing experience our priority, with writers now able to utilize highly recognizable brands as episodes are developed by naturally integrating them within the show," said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Entertainment.
"Through this long-term, collaborative approach, we are able to create multiple opportunities for MillerCoors to engage with their target audiences for their spectrum of beer brands across our wide scale audience reach."
The sponsorship is through the end of 2013 and will hit CNN, TruTV, Funny or Die and other properties under the Turner umbrella.
INSIGHT: On Wednesday night, WTMJ-AM 620 talk show host Charlie Sykes will present an evening forum featuring some of the GOP’s top office holders in Wisconsin.
Insight 13 will feature Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, U. S. Rep. Paul Ryan, State Sen. Leah Vukmir, State Rep. Michelle Litjens, Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr., television host and pundit Rachel Campos-Duffy, conservative talk show host Jerry Bader, Isthmus columnist David Blaska, journalist Patti Breitigam-Wenzel, and RightWisconsin.com managing editor Brian Fraley.
Tickets for the Waukesha event have been sold out, but audio clips from the "Charlie Sykes Insight 2013 Presented by RightWisconsin.com" will be rebroadcast during Sykes’ show from March 28 to April 5.
MORE CRIMES TO SOLVE: CBS announced this week that it renewed "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" for another year and that actor Ted Danson has been signed for a two-year extension. The franchise-setting program is going into its 14th season.
"We are so proud of the series' creative and commercial legacy and its continued success on our network," CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said.
"The writers and producers have done an amazing job evolving ‘CSI’, reinventing the show around an incredible leading man in Ted Danson, the acclaimed Elisabeth Shue and our beloved and talented core of original cast members."
Media is bombarding us everywhere.
Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.
The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.
