On how the role of Jerry Seinfeld will be on the Microsoft advertising strategies is perhaps obvious but it still needs proper scripting to really fit in Seinfeld with Bill Gates. If you are thinking Microsoft, chances are you may be looking for something techie and advanced but when a comedian steps into the fray, a lot of possibilities step in.
But while we all know that this blockbuster deal is expected to drive in attention, the fact remains that if the audience do not get the whole parody or participation of Jerry Seinfeld in connection with Bill Gates, the whole plan is a mess.
Anyway, Bill Gates can afford it. He did not become a millionaire for one thing and failure is apparently included in any investment he makes. That is if there are any to name to date.
If you are wondering what embedded advertising is, it is something like endorsing a product that is not really part of a show’s sponsors. In short, it is like sneaking in a product in TV shows where a simple sight of bringing a can of Coke can really make a difference.
Apparently, there is some conflict of interest in this aspect. For one, the proper call to determine if hosts or celebrities are getting something on the side has to be established. Remember that hosts are people too and just like us, they would want to bring something when they go on air. On whether it was done on purpose or not is really something else but the thing is there has to be a line drawing requirements and standards to properly assess the situation and avoid under the table deals with these people who go on TV.
“This often subtle but always insidious blurring of the line between content and commerce is an issue not just for the creative community but for the American viewing public as well,” said Writer’s Guild member Philip Rosenthal, creator and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” while testifying before Congress on the topic last year.
It’s a practice the Federal Communications Commission is now looking into. The FCC Thursday said it would open an investigation into the use of undisclosed paid product placements in broadcast TV shows. The FCC also proposed using a larger font size for its disclosure requirement and requiring that the disclosures air for a certain period of time.
