We have all seen product placement in TV and film on numerous occasions. It's not strange (pun skill plus one) to see a company put products into their projects. It's marketing at it's finest, just ask Michael Bay; what would the Transformers franchise be without product placement?
However it is odd to see a company market or reference one of its other projects during a film or TV Show. We're not talking about commercials, rather it being referenced in the dialogue of the program. This is so mind boggling and out of place that you wonder if it was a terrible idea or absolutely genius.The following has been submitted for your approval.
Someone Call A Doctor!
Alas good friends, we have such an occurrence. On the ABC soap opera juggernaut, General Hospital, they did a little cross pollination for their parent company Disney. The powers that be thought they needed to market their new Marvel property, Doctor Strange, to a slightly different demographic than the usual fanboy fare. The result of which is one of the oddest things ever on a soap opera (yes, even weirder than evil twins). Please enjoy the video below:
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This is the most obvious plug, maybe in the history of television. Although it has to be said, that it is doing it's job of getting the word out. Maybe that was the plan all along, a new form of guerrilla marketing that takes place in all the subsidiary companies of Disney. Whatever the case may be it would seem that Doctor Strange is bringing couples together, at least on fictional daytime soaps.
Countdown to Strange
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Official Synopsis:
Dr. Stephen Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
We are less than a month away from Marvel Studios first foray into the magical realm in the #MCU. This being the case they have ramped up marketing with a bunch of TV spots and pop up's all over the interwebs. A smart move seeing as Doctor Strange does not contain (to our knowledge) any of The #Avengers, we have all come to know and love. It is of note that #Marvel is very confident in there project. They released footage for a special screening and it was met with praise and adoration.
According the #TheHollywoodReporter the film is tracking for a fifty to seventy-five million dollar opening. This is ahead of Ant-Man's numbers and bodes will for the studio who hasn't had a miss yet. There has been buzz that Doctor Strange could be a break-out hit, much like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy was in 2014. IT is of note that both properties were not very well known to those outside of the comic book community.
When all is said and done Marvel has not let us down once. They have a solid reputation that has been earned in the eight years since the release of Iron Man in 2008. This trust and being prominent in the public's concisousness allows them to promote their properties however they see fit. Even if it is the craziest name drop ever. Doctor Strange hits theaters November 4, 2016 and we hope you check it out, by the hoary hosts of hoggoth!
Want more on Doctor Strange? Check out:
Rise Of The Facial Hair Bros. Feige Reveals Doctor Strange Will Have A Pivotal Role in 'Avengers: Infinity War'
Will Baron Mordo Join Doctor Strange in 'Avengers: Infinity War'?
'Doctor Strange' Mid- And Post-Credits Scenes Bring The Mystical Much Closer To The MCU
Sound Off! What did you think about this crazy name drop? Are you excited for Doctor Strange? Let it be known in the comments section below!
[Sources: The Hollywood Reporter; ABC; YouTube; Collider Movie Talk]