You know how the TV networks, advertisers, and pretty much anyone else who makes money off of TV are up in a tizzy about viewers fast-forwarding through the ads? Well, you might want to ease off the 30-second skip button, otherwise we're going to be stuck with feature films and TV shows starring actors with even more plastic in their faces than is normal in Hollywood.That's right, Burger King is working on a feature-length film starring the King. And the company's not alone. According to the New York Times, MTV, ABC Family, and TNT have all run shows that are created by advertisers. The trend is growing even faster online. This year about 25 companies both sponsored and produced a film shown on the internet, five times the number of such adver-films produced last year.
Okay, 25 doesn't necessarily mean this is a whole new genre of entertainment. But it does represent one approach towards getting your brand's message across. And in some ways it makes more sense than trying to come up with commercials that fill your screen while you're fast-forwarding.
I suppose the King does look kind of Shakespearean. Perhaps we're in for some quite literary media. But I wouldn't bet on it.
1. Definitely interesting. Makes me glad I watch less and less TV these days.
Posted at 2:51AM on Nov 11th 2006 by sports fan