NBC Universal to experiment with sponsor-centric content

It's no secret the as DVR ownership has increased over the last few years, many people now see commercials as a nuisance to be skipped. In their search for a solution to this potentially very expensive issue NBC Universal has established a partnership with Omnicom Group Inc. that will focus on building TV shows directly around sponsors' products.

NBC Universal and Omnicom will create content specifically for non-traditional distribution channels like websites. According to the Associated Press the initial offerings, currently scheduled to debut some time this summer, will include "Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson, and include sponsorship from both Cisco and Microsoft.

"We are proactively working with our clients, the advertisers, to deliver compelling content to our audiences, wherever they are," NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman said in a statement.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 22 Apr 2008 0:20

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9 comments

snofleas

i just have this feeling that id never watch advertising-centered programming.
and rosario dawson, what are you doing?

i cant wait to watch vista try to act.

22.4.2008 03:16 #1

BobL

Isn't this the same thing as an INFOMERCIAL?

22.4.2008 04:50 #2

ydkjman

It's like the 5 min segment in Wayne's World were they had every Pepsi product they could think of sitting on a table and the guys talking about each one :o)

22.4.2008 09:51 #3

goodswipe

Originally posted by ydkjman: It's like the 5 min segment in Wayne's World were they had every Pepsi product they could think of sitting on a table and the guys talking about each one :o)Wayne's World...Party Time...E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T-T-T!!!

WHOO WHOOO WHOOOO!

They sure don't make movies like they use to...

"look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

22.4.2008 10:57 #4

varnull

You may not be aware of this.. Companies like coke and pepsi pay millions every year to the film studios to have their products on the store sets and in the main characters hands.. Subliminal advertisement through product placement they call it, and it's another big hollywood moneyspinner. Watch carefully and you will see it... Every brand name you see in a film or on TV has very probably been paid for.

Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work....

22.4.2008 11:34 #5

atomicxl

The best method is what sex and the city did. Once character was like a promotions person and in an episode she had to throw a promo event for Skyy Vodka. It totally fit in the context of the character, tone of the show and the overall story of the series. Stuff like that has a major impact, you can't erase/fast forward it and its not seen as bad because it doesn't seem forced.

They should do more stuff like this. If Seinfeld was on I could see him saying, "Whats the deal with iPods" or whatever was popular and making a joke about it.

22.4.2008 21:02 #6

B33rdrnkr

reminds me of that movie with jim carey, where they filmed his life.. His made up wife would just stop and do an add for ovaltine while she was talking to him,lol

22.4.2008 23:32 #7

DVDdoug

Quote:reminds me of that movie with jim carey, where they filmed his life.. His made up wife would just stop and do an add for ovaltine while she was talking to him,lol The Truman Show... I was thinking the same thing.

They did say "non-traditional distribution channels", so this isn't going to show-up on TV... yet.

Product placement doesn't bother me. In fact, it looks kind-of silly when they are drinking from a generic can marked "beer" or "soda". But, if the actors start repeating the product slogans, or overtly praising the product, that's going to seem really silly!

23.4.2008 16:31 #8

c1c

Originally posted by varnull: You may not be aware of this.. Companies like coke and pepsi pay millions every year to the film studios to have their products on the store sets and in the main characters hands.. Subliminal advertisement through product placement they call it, and it's another big hollywood moneyspinner. Watch carefully and you will see it... Every brand name you see in a film or on TV has very probably been paid for.Just like every character in sopranos smokes Marlboros

23.4.2008 22:13 #9

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