Wow – that’s the first I’ve heard of product placement in a novel! I suppose advertising is so competitive that this is just the latest attempt to “creatively” find new billboard space. But yes, I think it does make the art suspect – it’s certainly distracting knowing that it’s in there. For instance, ever since I became aware of product placement in movies and I recognize a product prop I can’t help but wonder if that was actually part of the director’s vision or if I was just served an advertisement.

Speaking of movies, did anybody see “Minority Report”? I’m reminded of the vision of the future portrayed in that movie. Things like talking billboards that recognize you and call out your name as you walk through a public place, animated cereal boxes that sing jingles when you pick them up, etc. Scary to think all that is possible in our future! Will we say “Enough!” some day or will we continue to become desensitized to more and more sensory input?

Anyway, I was just enjoying another listen to Innamorare and – hey, is that a picture of a Chevron station in there?!? Please Ottmar, say it ain’t so! ;-)
– Posted by Victor to Ottmar Liebert at 8/6/2004 03:58:16 PM

I think this is the future, if stupid journalists and bloggers continue to attack performing rights issues. In the 17th century artists were supported by rich individuals, especially the aristocracy – maybe in another decade we will see bands dressed in the colors of Marlboro, with subtle or not so subtle references to the joys of smoking. Maybe there will be a boyband named FCUK (French Connection United Kingdom – and yes, it is supposed to make you read it differently!) – dressed in their clothes and praising their fit.

Regarding Minority Report: that sort of advertising requires two things:
1. Knowing where you are – that’s easy since more and more cellphones have GPS built in…
2. Being able to direct sound at you: experiments with delivering sound via Laser, and being able to focus that sound on a particular person have been successful. – in other words, you might see that sort of advertising within a decade?

And no, it ain’t so.