Yep, product placement in movies is big business

Posted Monday, November 21, 2011 at 3:13 PM Central
Last updated Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 11:01 AM Central

by John Couture

When they say a picture is worth a thousand words, they get their money's worth with infographics. I'm a sucker for infographics because they easily convey information and, or at least they should.

I ran across the below infographic on Online MBA [link withdrawn at their request] and knew that I had to share it with you. We've all become accustomed to product placement in TV shows and movies, but this is the first time where I saw so much interesting information combined together.

For instance, did you know that 30% of the 33 movies to claim the top spot at the U.S. featured Apple products? Those numbers are quite surprising when you consider that Mac computers only account for 14% of North American computers and a 5% market share worldwide.

Information like that is why you should read the below infographic. Obviously, Apple is trying to grow their marketshare (and there is evidence that it is growing) and creative types behind the scenes of movies and TV shows have always embraced Apple products.

If you've seen Morgan Spurlock's latest documentary POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold then you know how powerful and how out of control product placement has become. I remember watching Josie And The Pussycats back in the day (hey, don't judge) and being overwhelmed by their over-the-top product placement. Sure, it was so outlandish as to be comical, but in many ways it was a harbinger of the reality in which we find ourselves.

I have a degree in psychology and I can tell you that overt and subliminal messages in films and TV shows are very powerful tools in advertising. This is especially true in the DVR/download world we live in where people often skip traditional commercials.

If you need further proof of the proliferation of product placement, you need not look any further than the upcoming Bond film Skyfall. James Bond commanded $45 million in product placement funds, that's about a third of the film's production budget.

Check out the infographic below and let us know what you think.

Via: Online MBA Advice [link withdrawn at their request]