Saturday, September 20, 2014

PRODUCT UNBECOMING: AUTOTRADER


It's likely Autotrader.com will win the Toobits Award for the best commercial crossover because of their continuation of 'The Dukes Of Hazzard' storyline so many decades later.


But at the same time, they get the nod for the Worst Product Placement as well.

Twice in one week characters in TV shows extolled the virtues of Autotrader in the storyline, no matter how clunky the attempt to weave it in seamlessly.

First up: 'Rizzoli & Isles'


Boston Detective Frankie Rizzoli was considering a trade-in for his motorcycle to get a convertible instead.  When Detective Vince Korsak pointed out that a convertible would not be good in the cruel New England winters, Frankie reminded him that a motorcycle was even worse.  

Not too bad, with only the one screen shot of the website on his cell phone.

But a few days later on 'Royal Pains'......


Dr. Hank Lawson's sister Emma was looking through Autotrader.com on her cell phone in hopes of scoring her first car.  She ended up getting a red convertible.  (Perhaps even the one Frankie had his eyes on!)

Autotrader.com got three mentions in that episode, plus two different screen shots of their website.  Hopefully the producers of that show got paid more than the showrunners of 'Rizzoli & Isles'.

My thanks to Bob Buonocore for bringing the 'Royal Pains' insertS to my attention!

BCnU!

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