From the NYT (via Read Roger):
In “Mackenzie Blue,” on the other hand, a new series aimed at 8- to 12-year-old girls from HarperCollins Children’s Books, product placement is very much a part of the plan. Tina Wells, chief executive of Buzz Marketing Group, which advises consumer product companies on how to sell to teenagers and preteenagers, will herself be the author of titles in the series filled with references to brands. She plans to offer the companies that make them the chance to sponsor the books.
Well, that's just super.
Not.
"Gloom, despair and agony on me,
deep dark depression, excessive misery . . ."
Or do you not remember that song from Hee-Haw?
I am appalled. And so should HarperCollins be.
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | 20 February 2008 at 11:59 AM
Aside from the artistic and ethical yucks, what I don't like about it is the view it entails of books as an ephemeral, disposable good. (I mean, read a 10- or 20-year old book with product placement and cringe at the dated references. Read a 50-year-old book and draw a blank.)
Posted by: Margaret | 20 February 2008 at 12:38 PM