TOYOTA,BRANDING,WEEDS,CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM,PRIUS,PRODUCT PLACEMENT,BOLD MOVES,SNOOP DOGG,OLIVIA RUIZ,PUSSY CAT DOLLS,SAATCHI,SAMSUNG K5,DAVID PRIUS,TH

Have to admit that I'm still quite impressed by pro-active brands from time to time.
And this definitely deserves a long post.

Toyota US
If there's one to watch, that's it, let me explain.
I'm a ''Weeds'' fan. And I'm a ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' huge fan. Well, in those two TV masterpieces the agency managed to have a strong and meaningful role for its client model Prius. And let me be clear, it's not about classic product placement, the car is really guest starring in the show... and you know what's even more impressive? ... it's all ''based on the product features"

Weeds, season 2 episode 8 (featuring Snoop): Nancy, the main character, makes some good money, and buys shoes, jewels... and a brand new blue Toyota Prius. See for yourself. But it doesn't stop there, her son sees it and goes...
- "I don't like it, it's crapy and small"
- she goes "it's environmentally responsible, there's global warming...unless you want the planet to dissolve to one big ocean"
- "I like the Range Rover, this car is gay"
- "don't be ignorant, it's just because it's in right now, think about the planet for a change".

Weeds, season 2 episode 11: Nancy, the main character, (I don't want to give up the plot for those how know the show) is insulted by another character, basically saying that she's a bad person. Her answer is straight... "fuck you I drive a Prius". See it right there.

Curb Your Enthusiam, season 4 and 5: In that case, the Prius can be considered as one of Larry's friends. He likes it and says it, shows and drives it around all the time and even becomes a Toyota dealer for one day. Do you need more? If you do, watch this, this and this.

Update! check all the famous owners and appearances of the Prius at the botttom of this Wikipedia article

Ford US
Since a couple of month Ford Corp. is facing major business difficulties. Their agency found an all-in-one communication trick to please everyboby: clients, employees and last but not least products and corporate image. It is called "Bold Moves" and you can definitely watch it as a sitcom (or sitdrama in that case).


Samsung
The Samsung K5 launch campaign. Well, less smart but very efficient. Just watch the new PussyCat Dolls video. Then the one from this french singer Olivia Ruiz. You'll understand.
Got it ? Yes, it is pure product placement, but done like that, it seems more honest, more clear. I mean it's pretty obvious that they paid big money to open both videos (and there are probably more), so in a way they paid for it. Ads providing money for artists, isn't that one of the best thing advertising can do?