7/16/2011

Shameless Plugging: How Sweet It Is

Anytime I hear someone do a cheap plug on something, I usually just shake my head and laugh. This is found a lot on ESPN with ABC products (i.e. why do you think Dancing With the Stars always features an athlete? It's because they can then show highlights of the show on their Sportscenter and because Disney owns both of them). This is the most common type of cheap plug - when a corporation owns multiple media outlets and promotes one of them on the other network.

The best cheap plugs are the ones that you don't even notice - such as many who probably don't think of the athlete angle with Dancing With the Stars. I have become keen to this - partly because I know which corporations own which channels/media outlets.

Stephen Colbert is the master of the corny cheap plug. He will often feature something on his show that displays blatant advertising for a product in a way that can only be described as satirical. From his consumption of Ben and Jerrys when trying to promote his flavor Americone Dream to the chowing down of Doritos, Colbert often finds a way to make the plug funny while everyone knows it is supposed to be a satire of how plugging products has become commonplace in media everywhere.

I, however, am no such master. I wrote this blog largely in part to promote my appearance in my friend's show, "Three Guys, One Room." I play the role of Swift Charlie, an unwelcomed dinner guest who ends up robbing the gents of all of their belongings.



If you can't access that from there, here's the link for the episode. Talk about shameless plugging. God, I love it.

But seriously, it's a part of our media world, and it will continue to be for as long as we live. So continue to enjoy the shameless pandering that networks (and friends like me) will shove in your face on a daily basis.

You're welcome.

*This message was brought to you by Four Seasons. For all the right reasons, Four Seasons.