Product placement and in-content brand exposure in TV programming continues to be a stable media platform for many marketers -- especially in big-season premieres.
For example, in the season start of "24," Apple Computer and Pontiac each received over $250,000 in media value.
For Apple, this came from 12 total exposures, which Front Row Marketing, a sponsorship analysis company, said came to $292,800. For Pontiac, with some seven video and one audio references, this value came to $256,200.
This analysis would roughly make sense with many brand sponsorship valuations of the past -- especially for TV network shows -- which on average cost marketers around $300,000.
Critics point out, however, these media evaluations are only one part of the puzzle. So-called "engagement" factors in these deals are also key, including where consumers are pushed to action, such as getting on a company's Web site for information or actually buying products.
The Kiefer Sutherland-starring show "24" premiered on Fox on Jan. 17. Now in its eighth season, the four-hour premiere episode ran over two nights.
Front Row said three other big consumer brands also gained major media exposure during the "24" premiere: Ford, Chevy, and Sprint.
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Pontiac product placement would hardly be beneficial, since the brand no longer exists - maybe that's why GM is in such sad shape!