"Hotel Transylvania 3" was number one this weekend - should they thank Food Network Star?

This past weekend Hotel Transylvania 3 was number one at the box office, earning $44.1million, and beating the Rock's newest release - Skyscraper.  (Chow, 2018)

I couldn't help wondering if the movie's stellar performance was due in part to a rather unusual product placement which I happened to stumble on last week.  If you are a fan of Food Network Star you probably saw it too.

Contestants were asked to create dishes inspired by characters from the movie.  (Struble,  2018)

Seemed like a bit of a stretch to me, but why not?  Research shows that 58% of Food Network viewers are female, 54% are between the ages of 18-49, and 47% have at least one child.  (Gaille, 2016)

Sounds like a pretty good prospect for Hotel Transylvania 3. 

And the placement wasn't nearly as awkward as Colonel Sander's visit to General Hospital.  In case you missed that one, he asked Maxie to hide the secret KFC recipe for him. (Bartiromo, 2018)

This world just gets weirder by the minute.

Chow, A. (2018, July 15)  'Hotel Transylvania 3' Towers Over 'Skyscraper' at Box Office.  nytimes.com.  Retrieved July 17, 2018, from  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/movies/hotel-transylvania-3-skyscraper-box-office.html

Struble, C. (2017, July 7)  Food Network Star Season 14 episode 5 live stream: Watch online. foodsided.com  Retrieved July 17, 2018, from  https://foodsided.com/2018/07/08/food-network-star-season-14-episode-5-live-stream-watch-online/

Gaillle, B. (2016, March 7)  40 Captivating Food Network Demographics.  brandongaille.com.  Retrieved July 17, 2016, from  https://brandongaille.com/40-captivating-food-network-demographics/

Bartiromo, M. (2018, July 6)  'Colonel Sanders' appearing on 'General Hospital' in honor of National Fried Chicken Day.  foxnews.com.  Retrieved July 17, 2018, from  http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2018/07/06/colonel-sanders-appearing-on-general-hospital-in-honor-national-fried-chicken-day.html

Will you buy the shirt off of someone else's back?

Product placement has come a long way.  The combination of DVR's and reality television has led to a new Truman Show reality.  It's my opinion that eventually all advertising will be embedded.  You will see something you like, pause whatever you are watching, buy the item, and then go back to the show.  Sure beats trying to track down the agency account person to ask where they got that lamp. (True story.)

This week Adam Buckman from mediapost.com wrote a column admiring the moxie of Project Runway.  Their core sponsors are showcased in the Brother sewing room (sewing machines), Mary Kay makeup room (cosmetics) and Sally Beauty hair salon (hair products).

But recent sponsors also included Best Western Hotels which was featured through an inspirational trip to a branch in Austin, Texas, and AARP who sponsored a dress your mom challenge. (Buckman, 2016)

Clearly the possibilities are endless.

So what do you think?  Have you bought any items that you have seen in tv shows?  Or are you more likely to buy from Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook?  Does it matter if a friend bought it or liked it?  How about a celebrity?

Buckman, A . (2016, December 9)  'Project Runway': TV's Relentless Engine of Commerce.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved December 16, 2016, from

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/290728/project-runway-tvs-relentless-engine-of-commer.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=mostread&utm_campaign=98847

Will product placement in a movie, based on a video game, make people want to buy a Ford Mustang?

As part of its 2014 celebration of the Mustang’s 50^th anniversary, Ford has announced that they will be developing a campaign based on “Need for Speed.”  The latest version of the EA game is due out in November 2013, while the movie will premiere in March 2014.  The Mustang will be featured prominently in the movie’s cross-country race.  And, Ford will support both the launch of the game and the launch of the movie. (Greenberg, 2013)

The last time a movie made me want to buy a car was when The Italian Job remake featured the Mini Cooper.  So what do you think?  Will this be an effective campaign?

Greenberg, K. (2013, June 10)  Ford Gets The ‘Need’ For Mustang.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved June 12, 2013, from  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/202107/ford-gets-the-need-for-mustang.html#axzz2W0moSCw8