Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Monday, September 01, 2025
Monday, August 11, 2025
Product placement and intermigration: getting the biggest bang for your buck
Effective promotion and marketing campaigns remain the keystone for every company’s success. This is especially true during financially challenging times. The expenses are necessary to reach the customers, but finding the money in the budget can be a challenge. It places the company in a chicken-and-egg situation. The innovative knows how to get the biggest bang for their bucks.
Product
placement is an old-school promotion and marketing technique that, when updated
and used properly, outshines traditional and more expensive campaigns. During
the early days of television, companies were the sole sponsors of individual TV
series. The brands were so intertwined
that they became synonymous with each other.
The Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom is only one example. Mutual of Omaha was featured in the title and
the hosts promoted the brand within the series.
The increasing production costs made this business model unsustainable,
thus establishing the current trend of separating content from advertising. However, instead of being abandoned,
cross-branding transformed into a combination of the two techniques. This hybrid methodology maximizes the
financial benefits for the production by expanding the number of brands
embedded into it, while lowering advertising costs and maximizing the longevity
of the promotion for each sponsor.
Both
models have their benefits and their challenges. With only one sponsor, the
full financial weight falls on it, yet the promotional benefits also
dramatically increase. Frequently, the
brands become permanently intertwined with the reputation of each, reflecting
on the other. Being able to attract a
specific demographic is an additional benefit of this business model. The
content organically lures the audience, who find the topic, genre, or
personality involved interesting, which gives the sponsor direct access to
those it is trying to reach. Once
embedded in the project, the brand continues to be promoted whenever and wherever
the project is viewed without additional cost to the sponsor. Once produced, the connection becomes
locked. Nothing can be added or
subtracted without altering the project itself
With
the separation of the content and advertising, the financial obligations for
the sponsor have been lower, but the benefits have also dramatically
decreased. Instead of being an equal
partner with the series, the brand becomes only one in the crowd. Targeted purchases of commercial time do
increase the possibility of reaching a specific demographic; however, the cost
for such commercial buys increases the cost of each ad. Network rate cards vary in terms according to
the market size, day part, how far in advance the airtime is bought, and the
flexibility of the placements. The more
specific the terms, the higher the price tag will be. The current norm focuses on day part and
venue rather than content. It is little
different than throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks.
Additionally, the separation of content makes the ad buy a one-and-done. The ad will air according to the terms of the
contract and will not air again until another contract for more airtime has
been signed and paid for
The
hybrid model combines the best aspects of both.
It has the permanence of embedding brands and the cost-effectiveness of
the current business model. Embedding
brands manifests in two forms, placement and integration. The primary difference between the two is the
involvement and interaction between the on-screen talent and the brand. The more interaction between the two, the
greater the exposure and the higher the cost.
Placement refers to the product being placed within the set design in
such a way that it receives screentime, but without direct interaction with the
characters. Integration refers to
products that involve active interaction or usage of the brand name on screen
as the characters use or positively speak about the product.
In
the 1984 Ghostbusters, Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver had a scene in front of
her refrigerator. For nearly thirty
seconds of the scene, a Coke has been placed on a shelf between them. They don’t look at it or refer to it, yet it
has a notable presence in the scene. More recently, in the series Yellowstone,
Marlboro circumvented the legal restrictions against on-air advertising of
tobacco and smoking products. In several
scenes, the character Beth opened a Marlboro box, took out a cigarette, and
smoked it. Nothing was said about the
brand. It was just a matter of course
that Beth smoked. However, instead of
concealing the brand, the name received screen time.
Timing
is another primary difference in the promotional models. Cross-branding placement has longevity and permanence;
however, its benefits are delayed until the release of the project. Purchasing airtime within commercial breaks has
immediacy of exposure, yet a short shelf life. The rate card for each also radically
differs. The cost for placement is based on length of screentime in seconds, active/passive
presentation, actress/actor involved, and the genre. Whether an Indie or studio project, an A-list
talent will garner a higher rate per second. However, in order to accommodate the two-minute
commercial breaks, ads have been limited to standardized lengths of 15, 30, 45,
60, and 120 seconds. The rate cards base their fees on the rating of the
program; the higher the rating the more costly the placement will be.
Never
Can Say Good-bye’s production team will reinvent the definitions of innovation,
moxie, and creativity as they place and integrate brands within the
project. It will feature products that
are normally overlooked, while offering traditional sponsors a fresh
perspective on how their products or brands will appear on the screen. Although the genre of paranormal-thrillers
attracts the 18–49-year-old demographic, by supporting age, gender, and ethnic
diversity, Never Can Say Good-bye will broaden and enhance that target base.
Thereby, it will expand the sponsors’ promotional reach beyond expectations.
By combining brands, Never Can Say Good-bye will give the scenes a real-world feel. In addition to being placed or integrated into the scenes, the name of the brand will be used whenever possible. For example, in the scenes within the cars, a radio station will be playing in the background. The station will be identified by its call letters. Depending on the length of the scene, from one to two thirty-second commercials will air for any family-friendly product. There will also be a running joke about how the supporting character, Amanda, is trying to win a radio contest. She is more than capable of buying her own, but she tells others that it tastes better when she wins it. Her attempts to call in are frequently thwarted by others. These details will be added in the final script.
A motorized wheelchair will be used by Amanda, who is well-respected in her community. She will be seen using it in and outside her home. In addition, it will also have screen time as it is used on various terrains, including city streets/sidewalks, college campus, and a cemetery. Extras of various ages, genders, and ethnicities will be seen using them. However, the budget line only includes the screentime in which Amanda is featured. The scenes with the extras will be considered bonuses. The sponsor will be expected to provide the necessary motorized wheelchairs that will be donated to non-profits after the production; the sponsor will receive the tax deduction.
For a complete list of placement opportunities available through the contact information on the website.
Friday, August 08, 2025
Equine Therapy and Peer Support Therapy Heals and Empowers Veterans
Horses and Heroes will take ten
veterans, including two celebrities, on a healing adventure of self-discovery
as they confront their ghosts and make peace with them. The cast will be interacting with each other
as well as the horses. On the surface,
it sounds ambiguous and exploitative. However, Horses and Heroes is solely
about healing and new beginnings, not exploiting people’s pain to make a buck. Which is why the series will never have a
typical teaser reel. It would be cruel
to bring the team together to start the healing process, which will open their
wounds and then tell them to just put a pin in it.
Military personnel and veterans
have a language and awareness that is all their own. Vet-to-vet support brings
veterans together to support each other as they confront their ghosts. They
know the language. They know the
dodges. They can see the distance
growing in each other’s eyes and know how to pull the other back from the
edge. Tempers may flare. Tears may fall, But the sisterhood and
brotherhood that kept them safe will also bring them the rest of the way home.
That’s not to say that Horses and
Heroes will be all sad sob stories. On
the contrary, they will be the exception, not the rule. Snarkiness, dark humor, and practical jokes,
especially between the different branches, open the door for “you ain't seen
nothing yet”. This makes the cast the Y
factor. Anyone who has ever worked with
animals knows how unpredictable they can be.
Horses are even more so, which is why no matter how the production team
pre-plans and organizes, the horses will always be the X-factor that will make
things go sideways.
In this case, X plus Y will add
up to a unique series that supports healing, positive forward movement, and new
beginnings. Japan has a specialized art
form called Kintsugi, which means "golden joinery." It is the process of repairing broken pottery
by mixing powdered gold, silver, or platinum in the glue to highlight where the
pieces are reconnected. It’s a
philosophy that believes that the “brokenness” is part of its history, which
should be honored instead of being ignored.
Horses and Heroes honors the service and futures of the cast and all
those who have served.
Additionally, Horses and Heroes
will be hiring veterans for jobs in front of and behind the cameras. There are already many veterans working in
the entertainment industry. The production team will give the necessary training and experience to those who want new
careers.
Most equine centers offer their
programs free to veterans. As non-profits, they are limited by their ability to
raise funds. The centers that host
Horses and Heroes will be paid a location fee, receive national exposure, and a
percentage of the net profits from the season they host.
Horses and Heroes' production
team is looking for equity investors and corporations that
want their mission to
succeed. To raise awareness and generate
development funds, they have created a line of shirts that are shipped directly
from the manufacturer and cost approximately $35. The link is on the website,
along with the links to find equine centers around the nation. Veterans can’t go back and make a brand-new
start, but with your support, they can start from now and make a brand-new end.
Please visit the website to learn more about Horses and Heroes and to purchase shirts. https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/horsesandheroes.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Michael K Hodges: The Choice is Yours
The Choice is Yours
Michael K. Hodges
She's chasing shadows
til they disappear.
She's searching for truth
trapped in her lies.
Haunted Memories
circle in her life
trying to find
what she gave away.
Flying too high
Mediate.
Silent thoughts.
In a dream,
her name is called.
She is running far too fast.
Heard a voice.-
leave your regrets behind.
Give pride a path to the other side.
Be honest if you can.
Then she felt a gentle touch.
She woke up
in thoughts.
Many years.
Many times.
Brought her back
in her father's dream.
She looks in the mirror.
Don't see
who she used to be.
Her sadness is trying to believe.
The lines in her past are gone.
Her mind told her
the choice is yours.
Sunday, August 18, 2024
What is the core difference between Democrats and Republicans?
This is the core issue between Democrats and Republicans, especially the white nationalists and Christo-fascists.
Democrats realize that when you help others and lift them up, you also do the same for yourself. We celebrate others; successes, console them during challenging times, and help find solutions that improve the world. We seek change and positive forward movement, which is based on inclusion and diversity. Life is diverse. Not everyone looks, believes, loves, or wants the same. By honoring and celebrating this truism, our lives become happier, joyful, and peaceful. We're not perfect, but then again we don't need to be.
The white nationalists and Christo-fascists refuse to take responsibility for what they say, do, and cause to happen. It's never their fault. Someone else is always to blame. It's a self-perpetuating cycle of blaming others for the lack of control in their own lives. Yet, at the same time, they blame others for interfering in their lives, they also believe "the others" are lesser than themselves. It's a hypocrisy that keeps them locked in ignorance, resentment, and rage.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Ghosts, Love, and Revenge
Do you like ghost stories? Ones that tell tales of love, loss, and revenge? Kaleidoscope Film and Television, in association with Cosmos Productions, CKR Casting, and Buffalo Speedway Film Company, announces it will be producing the paranormal thriller Never Can Say Good-bye in late summer and early fall in Northern Michigan. When possible, the cast and crew will be hired from the residents of the state or those who have a connection to Michigan.
The primary goal is to produce quality entertainment based on age, gender, and ethnic diversity. However, the secondary objective will be to bring balanced messaging about Michigan and its people. With the loudest voices creating negative national and international controversies, the beauty of the state and its amazing population has become overshadowed.
Never Can Say Good-bye will show Michigan's beauty within the film and in the associated marketing campaign called, Nowhere else like it. From lush forests, nearly endless shores, and communities from villages to the Detroit international hub, the campaign will take the cast and crew on adventures around the state, visiting the unique events, locations, and businesses that very few know exist.
Never Can Say Good-bye will tell the tale of how the spirit of a murdered child becomes imprisoned in her family home, waiting for her parents to free her. But they have reincarnated and have moved on to new lives as has her killer. Randi must bring them back together so that they can forgive themselves and each other. If she succeeds, they will all heal and she will be freed to reincarnate. If she fails and they seek the revenge they were denied in the past, they will all be damned. The past and the present intertwine to create an innovative spin on the ghostly genre as the characters are led down a path of love, guilt, betrayal, revenge, and murder.
The casting and the hiring crew have already begun. The location manager is currently looking for locations, including two Victorian mansions. Additionally, the team has begun contacting Michigan-based corporations that are seeking to promote their brand to the 18-49 year old demographic. More information can be found on the website
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/nevercansaygood-bye
#Michigan #featurefilm #ghost #suspense #horror #Paranormal #NeverCanSayGoodbye #TheresaChaze