[quote name=\'CarShark\' post=\'211004\' date=\'Mar 22 2009, 10:50 PM\']
Well, they're in a bind. They obviously want to offer the designer prizes to attract young females, but there's no way they're going to get the designer companies to pay for placement on a show that play at a time when their customers are[/quote]
I agree with you about what to do after they've made the decision to go designer - i.e. NOT mentioning the name is silly. But your post contains a lot of good reasons not to do it in the first place. I'm willing to bet at least some of those designers might pay for a spot.
I'll try to keep this short, but as an example, my girlfriend has made me aware of a certain swath of young girls on the internet who are interested in designer makeup. I have since bought her some MAC brand makeup for her birthday. I see it later turn up on the Price is Right. I've never heard of it before, but it apparently has that designer cache if they're using it on the show. I wonder if the company would've been interested in a show placement to get their name out there to the college crowd that undoubtedly watches Price every day. There's a portion of the audience interested, and it's a new avenue for them.
But since the show has already given literally dozens of plugs for free, what's the incentive for a Jimmy Choo to now pay? Thanks to the show, I know who Jimmy Choo is, but they made no money on the deal. If they would've waited to shoot their load, and GO to the companies first, they may not be in this bind. And I'm forgetting too, this season we're hearing a lot of brand names of things just because of some perceived "cool." Why do I care it's a certain brand of wakeboard (like on today's show, 3/23)? Obviously Drew, or somebody at the show, thinks some portion of the audience is going to care. Various video game products have gotten a similar treatment. Somebody at the show is letting the idea of sponsorship go out the window. Thankfully, grocery items have had an upturn I can't recall seeing in years.
-Jason
