product placement

Meaning

This term refers to a marketing practice where branded goods or services are featured prominently in a movie, TV show, or video game. It is designed to look like a natural part of the setting or story, though the company has paid for the exposure. The tone is neutral and commonly used in discussions about media and advertising.

Examples

• Did you notice the obvious product placement for that soft drink in the kitchen scene?

  Did you notice the obvious product placement for that soft drink in the kitchen scene?

• Many blockbusters rely heavily on product placement to help fund their massive production budgets.

  Many blockbusters rely heavily on product placement to help fund their massive production budgets.

• The movie's product placement was so subtle that I didn't even realize the main character was wearing a specific brand of watch.

  The movie's product placement was so subtle that I didn't even realize the main character was wearing a specific brand of watch.

• Some viewers find excessive product placement distracting, especially when characters hold the product directly toward the camera.

  Some viewers find excessive product placement distracting, especially when characters hold the product directly toward the camera.

• That sci-fi film featured clever product placement of futuristic electric cars.

  That sci-fi film featured clever product placement of futuristic electric cars.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The movie had a lot of product advertisements inside it.

  ✓ The movie had a lot of product placement.

  While it is a form of advertising, native speakers use the specific term 'product placement' when referring to brands integrated directly into entertainment content.

• ✗ They did a product placement of a phone.

  ✓ They used product placement for a phone.

  'Product placement' is typically used as an uncountable noun or with verbs like 'use' or 'feature,' rather than 'do a product placement.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• The agency negotiated a lucrative ___ deal to feature their new sports car in the upcoming action movie.

  💡 Marketing strategy where brands are shown in media content.

  Show answer

  product placement

• I hate it when ___ is so obvious that it takes you out of the story.

  💡 Showing branded items in films or TV.

  Show answer

  product placement