Monday, May 21st, 2012
Marlboro will be hanging out at the shore this season (at Jersey Shore that is).
In the latest trailer of the fourth season of the reality television show, a pack of Marlboros is seen being held by Mike “The Situation.” However, reports say that Philip Morris has denied the appearance as product integration.
According to brandchannel, the packaging indicated that it was from Philip Morris International and not Philip Morris USA. Since the show has been filming in Italy this year, it comes as no surprise.
“We do not agree to or pay for any product placement,” a spokesperson from Philip Morris USA told brandchannel. If so, it begs the question: why isn’t the cigarette pack blurred?
Sources say that the producers make the call whether to blur or not to blur a product. In doing so, they consider the authenticity of the scene. They preserve it as much as possible.
Cigarettes are a controversial area of product placement, especially since television has a big influence for youth everywhere. In selected countries, like the United Kingdom, cigarette and alcohol product placements in television are strictly prohibited.
Source: brandchannel.com
