has anyone noticed how everything is cross commercialized lately? for example, i just saw a commercial for The Bourne Ultimatium and then all of a sudden, they're selling me a Volkswagon...Transformers did this kinda thing alot too when that came out, and The Simpsons are doing it alot too...now, i know its always been around, Mcdonalds kids meals and shit always giving away w/e toy from w/e movie, but it just seems to me like its everywhere now, you can't watch tv or take a step outside your house without being sold something, and usually multiple things at once


whats my point? i hate capitalism

Well Transformers was basically commercialism personified to begin with but I see your point. You should really read No Logo by Naomi Klein though. It bored me to tears (so I didn't finish it) but it discussed how shit's not even about the product anymore, it's about how companies put a tremendous amount of time and money into branding.
So it only makes sense for them to team up and make some more money while children starve on the street and sell their bodies/drugs.

I never realized it until about a year ago but anytime you see a movie or a TV show where they are drinking a Coke or a Pepsi ... that company paid them to use their product just for that brief period of time. It's ridiculous how crazy these companies truly are.

They keep paying more and more money for advertising that has become less and less effective.

Ah, finally another good debate here. Although I'm guessing very few people will be for commercialism.

I definitely don't like how companies are using the upcoming Simpson's movie to sell everything. I mean, Seven Eleven's are becoming f***ing QuickEMarts! I like The Simpson's, but Burger King, Seven Eleven, and everyone else it seems are trying to use it to sell their crap.
And the Transformers are selling people cars.
People are dumbasses, and companies know this, but can't they realize that they are selling cars to adults, not kids, and that Transformers won't make adults want to buy a car more? These companies try to advertise any way they can, and not just with movies, either. Billboards, telemarketing, spam, junk mail, junk email, commercials on TV, sometimes they advertise during a show! Radio too.
Oftentimes companies will sponsor certain events (such as little league baseball) and try to advertise their products that way.

Aside from advertising, all Halloween is about now is candy. All Christmas is about is gifts and television specials. I'm not saying that is all it is to everybody, but that seems to be the main attraction to such holidays.

And is it just me, or has Obdurate had two reputation squares for the last month or so?

Just means I'm better than everyone and am approaching Godlike powers, or something.

The only thing is, Butler (and not that it matters at all, I'm just adding to the conversation), is that a lot of people who went to see Transformers are in fact adults, because it was such an important part of their childhood. So the aim of the advertising isn't far off. But yeah, I don't know just how effective the actual advertising is, because I rarely hear anybody saying "Oh man, that watch in that movie made me want to buy one."

You're right about Christmas and Halloween. Look at the money the companies make, especially at Christmas. As you get older and work, you realize how shitty Christmas is because you work your ass off during that time of the year and you get a day off or whatever with your family but that's it. Maybe two days if you're lucky!
It's just sad that this is what our society has come to, infiltrating our art/entertainment with their cross marketing to this degree.

Oh, I know most a lot of adults went to see Transformers, but I doubt that just because they like them they will buy a car that includes Transformers in the advertisement.
Although if I saw a watch in a movie and I liked it I might consider buying a new watch. Not necessarily that exact one, though. And if I already had a good watch, I probably wouldn't.

It's just a matter of buying what you like and not letting companies dictate what you need. And shopping local whenever you can.

Although I guess some advertising is good. It lets us know what is out there to buy. But people are overdoing it today. I mean, it used to be, on TV, a commercial break half way through a show, and only one commercial. Now, a half hour show will have three breaks and at least six commercials per break.

unless your watching mtv and then its 3 breaks with 12 commercials per break, and then you get sold cell phones and trendy clothes/whatever else new style is in during the show, like you said...a big example that sticks out in my mind is the NBA finals last year, they advertised for movies and tv shows during the game while they showed stat cut aways, like c'mon! let me watch the ****ing game in peace!

its become second nature to us because thats just how our generation has been raised to think, we're snotty little social degenerates who love gossip and immaturity, we've been raised to be followers not leaders

I started to crack up when I was watching one of the "newer" Who Wants to be a Millionaire (without Regis) because they have a "NetFlix" movie clip question, and the 4th Lifeline is brought to you by something. I just find it funny that apparently it works, otherwise they wouldn't do it. I mean, I've never seen a question that is sponsored and that made me want to go out and buy their product.