“Everybody goes to Haleywood”

Possibly coming to televisions across the nation: stronger warnings that the Cokes, Oreos and Sidekicks flaunted by actors have bought their way onto your favorite show.

That’s what the Federal Communications Commission signaled yesterday when it said it would review new rules on how television programmers let viewers know when those “props” are really paid pitches.

FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin said product placements and integration into story lines have increased as television viewers increasingly use recording devices like TiVo and DVRs to fast forward through commercials. Currently, agency’s rules require television programmers to disclose sponsors who have embedded products into shows. Those disclosures typically are done during the credits at the end of the show, which fly by viewers in small script.

“We want to make sure consumers understand and are aware that they are being advertised to,” said Martin, who first pushed to clarify disclosure rules last fall. “We ask how we should update our rules to reflect current trends in the industry.”

When you think about the amount of product placements in tv shows, it’s pretty staggering. One of the biggest offenders:
Project Runway: Tresemme, L’Oreal, Blue Fly, Mood, and even Parsons itself to some extent. And don’t forget all of the brands that are highlighted during the challenge- IE: WWE, United States Postal Service, M+Ms, etc.

Think of all of the cash Gilmore Girls could’ve made if they slapped Starbucks labels on every coffee cup?