Transformers 2 in summer 2009

[Tripe]

I could show it to you if I still worked in that department.

The basic upshot is, not many.

As product placement went, sponsoring sporting events was always much more effective.

[bettertomorrowamy]

I could show it to you if I still worked in that department.

The basic upshot is, not many.

As product placement went, sponsoring sporting events was always much more effective.

So there must be some benefit that is outside of the predictable numbers.  Some kind of perk for management or something?  Some kind of quid pro quo somewhere, somehow??

[Tripe]

Mostly it's a public relations thing, "look kids we're involved in the hip new film., buy our cars please"

[bettertomorrowamy]

Why do they advertise in what is basically a movie for kids?  I can see them advertising in James Bond movies etc., but in the first Transformers movie they had big robots pissing on things.  How in the world does that sell 50,000 dollar cars?

[Tripe]

Mostly it's relying on the fact that the movie, while being made for kids, is also going to have a following of adults who loved the toys when they were little.

[Darth Geek]

Even the &*$^#% LOGO is too complicated!

[Pak-Man]

Or they could just be going for authenticity. If you don't want Transformers that turn into "A Car." you have to get licensing. Every actual car you show has to cost some money, and it makes sense to buy in bulk, hence only a couple companies get their cars featured. Not EVERYTHING is a big marketing grab. Sure, the marketing grab is THERE, but I don't think it's the reason. Just serendipity.

[bettertomorrowamy]

Or they could just be going for authenticity. If you don't want Transformers that turn into "A Car." you have to get licensing. Every actual car you show has to cost some money, and it makes sense to buy in bulk, hence only a couple companies get their cars featured. Not EVERYTHING is a big marketing grab. Sure, the marketing grab is THERE, but I don't think it's the reason. Just serendipity.

These cars aren't costing Hollywood anything; the car companies are paying Hollywood to FEATURE their cars.  This IS a big marketing grab, and isn't a worthwhile marketing grab.  That's my point.

[Tripe]

Sure, the marketing grab is THERE, but I don't think it's the reason. Just serendipity.

But I'm telling you, it is the reason. This isn't idle speculation, all of the companies would have liked to be featured if they could have been. I know because it was my department that did the lobbying.

So yes marketing is the reason those specific cars were featured and why the money was spent. Bumblebee could have been a different car had GM not lobbied for his being the '09 Camaro.

[Darth Geek]

The fact that Transformers was a long car commercial is not suprising to me, nor do I really have a problem with that (the cartoon was a long toy commercial that got interupted periodically by other toy commercials, for crying out loud!). But it wasn't even a good car commercial.

[Tripe]

And thus a poor use of the money it cost.

[Tyrant]

I would only buy those vehicles featured in the movie if they actually turned into giant, sentient robots. Otherwise I'm keeping my beloved Nissan.

I suspect I'm a hard audience to market to. 

[Tripe]

[Tyrant]

I would only buy those vehicles featured in the movie if they actually turned into giant, sentient robots. Otherwise I'm keeping my beloved Nissan.

I suspect I'm a hard audience to market to. 

If they did that with you inside, wouldn't you squirt out like chunky salsa?

  No. It'd be like in Robotech. 

[Compound]

(Evil grin)

So, here's Sam's theme from the upcoming sequel:

(Embedded is disabled)

Yes, that is "The Touch" by Stan Bush. And a Linkin Park-esque remix.

Now, I'm going to listen to a bunch of Transformers' fans head explode.