• by March 21, 2005

Auto marketers are using interactive TV to take viewers on virtual test drives of their products (see lead story in today's top story) but beginning this week MediaDailyNews will allow its subscribers to test drive some of the best product placements and branded entertainment deals of the week. In a new feature developed by product placement tracking and evaluation firm iTVX and MediaPost, readers can view the featured product placements of each week as measured by iTVX's exclusive valuation system.

In this week's edition you can see how Ford's Mustang GT was incorporated into the March 9 edition of ABC's "Alias," including a micro-second by micro-second analysis of the content with a unique overlay allowing you to input CPMs and ratings to determine the relative advertising value of the deal. This particular segment would make Steve McQueen proud, as "Alias" characters Syd and Nadia are seen driving the car to meet agents and as Nadia uses the car to rescue Jack.

Other branded content deals featured in this week's lineup include:

Coke's placement on the March 9 edition of NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Home Depot's integration in the March 10 segment of CBS' "Survivor"

Coke's insertion into the TCM's March 10 presentation of the 1950 theatrical film "Father of the Bride."

Garnier Fructis Surf Hair's placement in The WB's March 15 episode of "The Starlet."

Link back each Monday to see each week's fresh batch of top five branded deals.