Product Integration?

[The Creators]

Hey Guys,

In keeping with our desire to communicate directly with all of you we thought we'd bring you into a decision we need to make. We have the opportunity to do a one-time product integration sometime in the next few weeks. It's a candy and it will be smoothly integrated into the episode, but it will be obvious that they're using a product. It's enough money to make us think about it, but not so much to have us jumping for joy. But... you all know our financial situation. We definitely want to do it but it's most important to us to not make you guys mad. The deal's still not 100% but we want your feedback. So... what do you think?

The Creators

[trainer101]

Anyhing that's unobtrusive, generates revenue and some additional buzz is fine by me. As long as it doesn't interfere with, or become the whole point of the video.

Oh yeah, we'll need a candy smiley to go withi it.

m&m?

[turkeyfeather]

[ApotheosisAZ]

Sounds great!

[Luminous]

If it's good enough for ET, it's good enough for LG15!

[Renegade]

Product placement, in general, if done too blatantly, is bad, but: If it's a one-time thing, the positive effect of improving the financial situation of the series outweighs the negative effect of having an obvious product placement in one episode.

I see it this way: It's better to have one episode with candy commercials and use it to generate income that ensures more episodes can be produced, than to decline the offer, go broke, and end the series.

Just integrate it into the plot. Make it an important lead to Daniel or The Order or something...that way, the guys can study it the whole episode long, mention the brand name a couple of times, and the plot still moves on.

Or it could be a message from Tachyon, hidden in the text on the wrapping. There're enough possibilities. As long as The Order's vans don't suddenly sport giant M&M commercials on them, all is well.

[silvermoon]

I'm for anything that keeps us having to pay a monthly fee, lol!

I wish you guys were in a position to not have to do that, but as long as you keep the videos rolling, I can look past the product placement.

[cbizzle44]

as long as it's not like, blatantly ridiculous, that sounds cool. i mean, it's not like you're going to randomly insert *proving science wrong #134- blue mms are no longer poison* in which bree eats a million blue mms-- and then gets a stomach ache.
ok maybe the candy companies wouldn't even like that
ok
whatever
go for it

[Terryfic]

I would say this is one of those things that is all about execution, so it is hard to give an honest answer before seeing it. But despite its catch 22 nature, I’ll go out on a limb and say I’d support the idea. I think product sponsored entertainment can work really well. I use to love those BMW short films starting Clive Owen that came out in 2001-02.

Mainly, I’d like to complement you on your choice to talk to your fanbase first. The more you talk with, and are honest with, your fans the more loyal they will be and the less likely they will be bothered by any product placement.

[voyboy]

Im okay with it as long as one of our characters dont break out in horrible jingle in at one point with a dance number and cheesey smiles.

ie:

"Take snifffff pull it out....the taste thats gonna move ya when ya pop it in yer mouuuuuutthhhh JuicyFruit! Its gonna move ya! its got the taste, that work right thru ya..."


Go Make some money!

[JohnBigbootie]

Do what you need to do! It is nice of you to ask but for god's sake...this is not charity work you are doing here.

Don't let people living comfortably in front of their computers arguing endlessly about what will happen next tell you that you will be "selling out"

Do it! Sell time! Insert commercials if you need to!

You have entertained many of us at no charge for a LONG time. Even street performers get a few dollars each day.

To quote voyboy and many others to follow "go make some money!!!!"

I kinda like the Juicy Fruit thing..and since we ALL know they are aliens, some clones doing a "Doublemint" thing might be really fun!!!!


God love you boys....

[GoodGollyItsHolly]

I'm shocked you haven't already! Everyone is doing it, television reeks with product placement these days. In the age of TIVO products cant rely on commercials anymore so they pay to have their products in every show that you watch. I don't think it will take away from the show in any way.

Make money, so you can make more shows.

[Scrawnyfish]

Go for it.

[sidewalkflight]

Go for it guys. I hope no one accuses you of "selling out" because you've already given us so much out of your pocket for our entertainment. Even if it ends up looking like a cheesy advertisement it's worth taking a little financial stress off your shoulders!

[ravensgrace]

The Office had Steve Carrell wearing a Microsoft Office logo for most of an episode, but it wasn't that intrusive. I say go for it!