Have you noticed the huge uptick in product placements in TV programming in recent months? Apparently product placements are up %84. Now the writers who feel forced to write in product placements into the story lines of their shows are in a yank wanting more money to do this writing. Is it just me or aren't writers given story directions of all kinds from the producers? Isn't writing in product placements just like any other writing assignment or plot point? Seems a bit opportunistic.

Seems like typical old school Hollywood thinking. Rather than adapt to the changing environment and become masters of weaving products organically into their stories writers are complaining and scratching to preserve the status quo.

Wired News: TV Writers Must Sell, Sell, Sell

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Comments

[Matt]

I'm all for product placement in TV shows as long as it's, as you said, organic. I've noticed the CSI series have jumped right on it with the Pontiac Solstice, the new Coldplay single and a Treo. Some worked well; others, ie the Hummer H3 ad they touted as a web exclusive scene, not so much.

As product placement increases I'd hope to see a drop in commercial interuptions but at this point I think that would be the very definition of "wishful thinking".

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I'm all for product placement in TV shows as long as it's, as you said, organic.