I have a serious aversion to commercials, possibly because I used to teach an advertising unit to my mass media students and have intimate knowledge of the devious ways companies try to get us to buy what we what truly don’t need.
However, I don’t mind one bit when my favorite Shopaholic Becky Bloomwood specifies her bag as Prada or Carrie from Sex in the City obsesses over Manolo Blahniks.
A while back I found this article in the New York Times and thought it might spark discussion. Here’s an excerpt with a link to the entire article at the end:
Specifying a character’s brand of lipstick, shoes or handbag is a commonly accepted way to add an aura of reality or consumer aspiration to books aimed at young readers: just think of “The Gossip Girl,” with that series’s abundant references to Prada and Burberry. But what if writers and publishers enlisted companies to sponsor those branded mentions, as is the widespread practice in Hollywood?
Authors of two book series have come to separate conclusions: in one case, the writers tried it and then changed their minds; in the other, for a new series to be published next year, the author, who owns a marketing company, said she planned to give corporate sponsorship a chance.
To read article, click here
What do you think? Would it make a difference knowing Sophie Kinsella was getting a kick-back from Prada?
If the references were already there, I don’t mind the author benefiting from it. But, I wouldn’t like people sticking a bunch of references into their books just to get paid. There is enough of that on TV and movies.
Good point, Chris — I agree…
I agree wholeheartedly! I am STILL trying to find the teapot that whistles “Tea for Two” mentioned in Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho” – which was all about image and possession. Arrghhh
And…if authors can get kickbacks like that – then what would the draw to writing be? I think we would suffer in quality. “I’m just in it for the money” does not coincide with heartfelt…
Sheesh – now I’m all a-twitter and have to email everyone about this….
Love your indignation, Cynthia!! Hear, hear!!
