dirac Posted September 7, 2001 Share Posted September 7, 2001 A hot media topic this week was the news that Fay Weldon's new novel, "The Bulgari Connection," has an actual corporate sponsor (no prizes for guessing who). We are all familiar with product placement as a form of corporate sponsorship in the movies -- those of you who saw Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan find romance in "You've Got Mail," to take one example, will recall the unsubtle plugs for Zabar's, Starbucks, and of course AOL that enhanced your viewing pleasure. Now that the concept has reached the novel, let us exercise our ingenuity and find ways to apply it to our favorite ballets. "The Bulgari Giselle," anyone? (For those who want to read more about Weldon and her book, here's a link to David D. Kirkpatrick's report in the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/03/business...searchpv=day04) Link to comment
Jacqueline Posted September 7, 2001 Share Posted September 7, 2001 How about the Maxwell House Nutcracker -- "good to the last (dew)drop". Link to comment
dirac Posted September 8, 2001 Author Share Posted September 8, 2001 We could go further than titles. There might be a way to work the product itself into the ballet, with "Coffee" in Balanchine's version enter carrying a pot of Folger's, or perhaps wearing the corporate logo. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 I've been saying this for years. Sominex is a natural for Sleeping Beauty. Think what an imaginative beeper or cell phone pitch could do with Romeo and Juliet! Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 not to mention the possibilities for low-calorie products like crystal light or diet coke or i can't believe it's not butter. and there's always the old 'maidenform bra' ballet.... Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 The original Nutcracker had product placement all over the place. Mother Ginger was a recognizable brand of candy, the Tea was evidently Ty-Phoo, and the Candy Canes, because they don't travel well, had to be Russian! Link to comment
Manhattnik Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 How about a ballet based on an advertising jingle for an airline? Oh, nevermind.... Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 But why not the other way round? If British Airways can use the duet from Lakme to sell their airline, what's wrong with the Entry of the Shades? Oop, ghosts, oh well... Link to comment
Giannina Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 "Coppelia/Barbie" "Coppelia vs Barbie" "Coppelia or Barbie?" "Coppelia and Ken" Gotta be something there someplace. Giannina [ 09-08-2001: Message edited by: Giannina Mooney ] Link to comment
Juliet Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 Manhattnik, Stick that Coppelia link in here! And the one for the "product of the week" as well! (He must be ferreting through old programmes....) Link to comment
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