Period films and costume dramas never offer much in the way of product placement, except for the odd historical brand sighting.

Genre-bending period films appear to be no different, as the Western/science fiction mash-up Cowboys & Aliens could not even match earlier #1 film True Grit by mustering a Sharps rifles mention.Continue reading...

The capitalization on 1980s nostalgia has no equal this year like the live-action version of The Smurfs.

But the original world of the Smurfs was a fantastical land free of consumer concerns. (In fact, conspiracy theorists have suggested its commune focus is nearly Communist, or worse.) So, what better way to inject a little green in all that blue than bring the gang to New York City?Continue reading...

Maybe McDonald's is just feeling generous because its second-quarter net income rose by 15% and the iconic brand has been able to buck the vestiges of recession that have been afflicting so many of its competitors. Or maybe company executives are just tired of being played as villains by food activists.

Whatever the reason or reasons, McDonald's today laid out details of a new multi-pronged, multi-year commitment to boost nutrition in its menu and, to the extent it can, across American society. Most notably, it includes a major overhaul of the much-maligned Happy Meal in response to concerns about childhood obesity, as well as significant new uses of its influence in various forms of communication about food choices.

The company’s “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices” aim to help Americans “make nutrition-minded choices whether visiting McDonald's or eating elsewhere.”Continue reading...

Our loyal readers (Hi Mom!) know all about Captain America's tie-ins with Dunkin' Donuts and Norton Anti-Virus. They've been riveted by the search for Captain America's leather jackets. They've ridden along on Captain America's Harley-Davidson deal.

Now, as Captain America: The First Avenger heads into its opening weekend — poised, it seems, to unseat the mighty Harry Potter juggernaut — we bring you more news of how Marvel has powered up brands for the Captain's Comic-Con timed big-screen debut ... and a little somethin' somethin' about who's been cozying up to Friends with Benefits on its first weekend date with moviegoers. Continue reading...

BMW Canada spot featuring the world's highest helipad goes viral; here's part one of the campaign.

"It’s a live market with growing economy and people fond of meat." — Wendy's exec explains Russia launch.

Below: Smurfs, Lady Gaga, sea monkeys and more.Continue reading...

Other than the fact that they're both sequels of massive box office successes, the two big films opening this weekend, Kung Fu Panda 2 and The Hangover: Part 2, couldn't be more different. One is for immature audiences and the other is Kung Fu Panda 2. KIDDING! 

DreamWorks' PG-rated Kung Fu Panda sequel will go up against the Warner Bros. R-rated Hangover return in a battle for completely different demographics. And when it comes to product placement, the two franchises are, as you might expect, different beasts as well.Continue reading...

Sony Pictures is just chugging right along this year, with loads of Sony products (such as Vaio) placed in blockbuster films like The Roommate and Battle: Los Angeles. This trend of studios promoting their own corporate cousins is one we've looked at before.

As we consider all things blue today, check out the new trailer (above) for Sony's upcoming summer release, The Smurfs, and below, the marketing for The Priest — not one film, alas, as our headline might imply.Continue reading...