It’s not often that you open up your e-mail to a picture of documentary director Morgan Spurlock nearly naked. But that’s what I received yesterday when Sony Pictures Classics sent out a press release announcing the poster for Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.
Soak it in, ladies…
Gotta give credit to Spurlock on the premise of his new film. I think it will be very interesting to pull back the curtain a little bit and take a peek at the lucrative business of brand sponsorship. Sponsorships have been going on practically since media was invented. But marketers are getting more savvy and less overt with their product placements.
As a marketer myself, I don’t find their maneuvers particularly sinister but, instead, highly fascinating. Especially when it comes to steering consumers toward their products when they might not be fully aware of the effort.
Spurlock will walk the talk in this film, so to speak. According to the press release, the film was FULLY financed through product placement from various brands, all of which are integrated transparently into the film.
“While using brands in film promotion is not new for Hollywood,” says the release “it certainly is new territory for the documentary format. Spurlock exploits the phenomenon to new heights, with everything from branded pizza boxes and in-flight film promotions to branded-everything in-film.
Should be interesting. The movie hits theaters April 22. What do you think? Leave your comments below.
I always laugh when a movie resorts to the obligatory “Crash into a sponsored truck” during a car chase scene. Seems to happen a lot with foods eaten and phones used too (TV and movies)…
My favorite corporate sponsorship moment was in the first Wayne’s World.
“Wayne! Listen, we need to have a talk about Vanderhoff. The fact is he’s the sponsor and you signed a contract guaranteeing him certain concessions, one of them being a spot on the show.”
[holding a Pizza Hut box] “Well that’s where I see things just a little differently. Contract or no, I will not bow to any sponsor.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but basically it’s the nature of the beast.”
[holding a bag of Doritos] “Maybe I’m wrong on this one, but for me, the beast doesn’t include selling out. Garth, you know what I’m talking about, right?”
[wearing Reebok wardrobe] “It’s like people only do these things because they can get paid. And that’s just really sad.”
“I can’t talk about it anymore; it’s giving me a headache.”
“Here, take two of these!” [Dumps two Nuprin pills into Wayne’s hand]
“Ah, Nuprin. Little. Yellow. Different.”
“Look, you can stay here in the big leagues and play by the rules, or you can go back to the farm club in Aurora. It’s your choice.”
[holding a can of Pepsi] “Yes, and it’s the choice of a new generation.”
I’m intrigued by this concept, though the poster is a bit off-putting. I’ve liked Spurlock’s other films, so I’ll check this one out, sooner or later…
I think he’s pretty damn tasty, I say More Naked Morgan Spurlock