Have you spotted Microsoft Surface product placement on US TV Shows?

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lchiu7

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#147053 7-Jun-2014 10:50

I don't normally notice product placements but having purchased a Surface Pro recently (more to play with than to use as a daily tool) I have noticed on US TV shows the number of times I have seen the Surface Pro (or 2) obviously placed in a show for product placement purposes.

For fellow trainspotters I have seen it used in

Elementary (Holmes uses one often)
NCIS - one recentl episode had a tech hold the Surface with the main metro screen up, choose Sky Drive and then show some images of a crime scene
NCIS LA - the techs seem to use them often

Any other shows people might have noticed.

I comment also because the Surface Pro is a heavy unit and not something I would want to carry around a lot versus say a tablet.

As an aside those same shows seem to use Windows Phone devices mainly - again clearly product placement.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#1060795 7-Jun-2014 10:56

Greys Anatomy... All the staff uses Surface when treating patients.

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MackinNZ

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#1060796 7-Jun-2014 10:56

Hawaii 5-O frequently shows the characters using Windows Phones and often Surface tablets

tardtasticx

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#1060797 7-Jun-2014 11:00

Nearly all the main characters use windows phones on Scandal. You quite often see the screen on those phones during the show. But the other non-important characters use blackberries and iPhones, of which you never ever see the screen of.

The one show I can remember seeing a surface tho would have to be greys anatomy. They looooooove them some surface at that hospital.

PhantomNVD

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#1060801 7-Jun-2014 11:09

and isn't this exactly the way streaming services should be advertising from now on....
MUCH better than breaking the flow of the program and 'forcing' a channel switch/toilet break like traditional TV... all good I say!

Bananabob

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#1060808 7-Jun-2014 11:22

Hawaii 5-o is just one long Microsoft advert

PhantomNVD

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#1060813 7-Jun-2014 11:30

I actually wonder if the shows get PAID to sponsor them, or just get given them on promo deals and the 'advertising' becomes an incidental aspect of the promo gifting though?

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freitasm

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#1060815 7-Jun-2014 11:33

These are listed as "promotional considerations" (Product Placement) at the end of the episodes and are paid advertising.

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lchiu7

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#1060818 7-Jun-2014 11:46

Bananabob: Hawaii 5-o is just one long Microsoft advert

I love it when they say I'll Bing that☺

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Sideface

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#1060821 7-Jun-2014 11:53

freitasm: These are listed as "promotional considerations" (Product Placement) at the end of the episodes and are paid advertising.

+1
Product Placement is Big Business.
Large sums of money change hands.

Sideface

nigelj

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#1060842 7-Jun-2014 12:58

Sideface:
freitasm: These are listed as "promotional considerations" (Product Placement) at the end of the episodes and are paid advertising.

+1
Product Placement is Big Business.
Large sums of money change hands.

It's just like how Subway became a big thing in the show Chuck and became a "promotional consideration", or how the 'Microsoft Monitors' or "Microsoft Laptops' (which are in fact rebranded (current Windows logo on over the real manufacture logo) Lenovos, Dells, etc) are Microsoft promotional considerations.

MikeB4

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#1060846 7-Jun-2014 13:37

I have to confess I seldom notice what equipment they are using

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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vexxxboy

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#1060847 7-Jun-2014 13:38

not only do companies pay for product placements, but they also pay to be part of the script. ie in White Collar , Ford sponsors the cars , so when the characters are driving they discuss gas mileage , how well it drives etc. Someone else mentioned saying Bing it, instead of Google it. It's everywhere if you start looking for it.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

mattwnz

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#1060848 7-Jun-2014 13:39

Yes TV shows are widely used for product placement. Microsoft logos are also placed on computers and screens on TV program's such HIMYM and bones.

NZ255

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#1060930 7-Jun-2014 15:42

House of cards had Dell, lots of Apple and Windows Phones and Blackberry. Not sure if that's placement or accurate. I'd imagine the US Gov uses BB though?

Dingbatt

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#1060937 7-Jun-2014 15:55

Add "Arrow" to the surface and windows 8 list.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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