Madison and Vine - Log 5, 12/10/18

Madison and Vine - Log 5, 12/10/18

  In Persuaders, we learn about the product placement in the media people want to consume. This technique of advertisement used by the persuaders is called Madison and Vine. Companies who want to convince the public to buy their product may pay TV shows or movie creators or YouTubers to strategically place certain items to secretly advertise. 

  My first connection to this technique is the movie The Truman Show. The main character, Truman, was born into a fake world created by movie producers. The entire movie is based around how he was born into this artificial space and ultimately figures out his truth. When Truman starts to realize something is off about his world, he starts to run into problems such as other people telling him he's just going crazy. This stops him from figuring out the truth. As he tries to talk to his wife about his new revelation, she calls him crazy and tells him about the new product she bought at the store. We later learn this is how the producers made money to keep the show running all day. The product placement of the new knife she had or the certain flour she had was an example of Madison and Vine.

  This product placement has also been seen when characters in shows or movies get a cup of coffee and it has the Starbucks logo or they drive a car with a certain logo on it. Laptops and stores and beer and even cities get their advertisement from product placement. Certain brands or items gain popularity because of it's relevance to one's favorite show. For example, if your favorite showed Apple products, you may feel more compelled to by an iPhone than a Galaxy. If your favorite YouTuber uses a certain skincare product, you may want to try that certain product. 

  And the affect of Maddison and Vine has carried into producers who may not want to advertise certain products. I've seen short YouTube films where they put tape over the Apple logo when they show a character typing on their laptop. Or they'll drink out of a blank coffee cup without a logo. Some have said this is because it makes all kinds of audiences feel as though they can connect to the person because of the lack of branding. For example, the number one coffee chain in the 1900s may be different from now. Without a logo, coffee lovers from all different time periods can relate to the character.

  I personally cannot think of a certain Madison and Vine that has caused me to want to have a product. This kind of advertising hasn't really affected me or my choices. I'm not sure how many people it does affect, but some people may be different. I've never had a need to be like a celebrity or want a life other than mine. People who may want to dress or use the same products as their favorite fictional character might be more susceptible to this type of advertising. With generic products, however, I do not feel as though this technique affects me personally.

  Madison and Vine, or product placement, has become a larger part of advertising. It definitely changes the way we see certain products and affects certain types of audiences. To me, Maddison and Vine will become even larger because of shows like Riverdale. This show tries to be relatable with it's use of Instagram and Apple products. They often times refer to products we use in our own lives. This only shows how Madison crosses with Vine very easily.