Just last week I received an invitation, via email, to plug a product which would heat my swimming pool, if I had one, which I do not.
A "story" given credence, authority and authenticity by an editorial operation that is quite willing to plug a product without wondering if, in fact, it's simply giving free advertising.
Meanwhile, celebrities like Mr. Kravitz, the skateboard king Tony Hawk, the pop idol Usher and the comedian Stephen Colbert received no payment, although in some 15-second TV spots that will start airing this month they can use the last five seconds of the ad to plug a product or a charity.
A tricky business here, using the misfortune of a celebrity to plug a product.
And the issue is Facebook's "Like" button, not using the likeness of a person to plug a product.
And unlike traditional advertising, a brand must also tell a story and not simply plug a product.
As with last issue's coffee connoisseurs, we imposed two caveats: they couldn't plug a product to which they have financial ties, and the endorsed tea had to come from a company immersed in environmentally responsible practices.
The New Yorker, November 4 , 1991P. 36 Talk story about a press conference plugging a new ground-beef product, which was held at the Tavern on the Green.
Talk story about a press conference plugging a new ground-beef product, which was held at the Tavern on the Green.
By Mark Singer The New Yorker, November 4, 1991 P. 36 Talk story about a press conference plugging a new ground-beef product, which was held at the Tavern on the Green.
