Product placement has become absolutely huge in movies and other media in the past few decades, as I'm sure you're all aware. Having your corporate logo or product in a popular TV show or move is an incredible advertising oppurtunity to any corporation that sells to the public, and even without sales, product placement certainly heightens brand awareness and consumer perception.
My question is that while although product placement is undoubtably huge for things such as sodas, cars, watches, and other common consumer items, I'm not quite sure about guns. Granted, guns are often portrayed in a negative light in movies--the use (in movies) of guns is almost always in some scene of violence (granted, sometimes heroism), and perhaps gun manufactures don't want that image associated with their products. However, some guns in movies have become very close to the character that uses them, and in no doubt rouse a huge interest from the public in those guns. Take for instance Dirty Harry, with his .44 magnum. I was watching a show on the history channel about magnum cartridges, and apparently that after that movie was released, the sales of the .44 magnum absolutely shot through the roof; everybody wanted Clint Eastwood's preferred revolver. Also, James Bond. Even those who don't even carry a slight interest in shooting or guns can probably tell you that Walther makes James Bond's sidearm of choice, and the Walther PPK (and I guess, more recently, the P99) is now almost always associated in non-gun circles with spies and government agents, regardless of its actual popularity with intelligence agencies.
Anyway, I really think that placement of guns in movies, even if not actually paid for by Walther, Smith & Wesson, or what have you, is a huge source of sales for gun makers--especially those whom otherwise may not be known (Colt guns are famous because of their huge intertwining in American culture, however, Glocks probably generate a vast proportion of consumer attention through the media). Do you guys here think that product placement is very big with guns? If so, is it a good idea (I wouldn't want someone buying a Glock just because they want to be like Jason Bourne; I'd hope they'd actually take time to know how to use a gun and especially one as unique as a Glock...then again, that's what the laws are for)?
My question is that while although product placement is undoubtably huge for things such as sodas, cars, watches, and other common consumer items, I'm not quite sure about guns. Granted, guns are often portrayed in a negative light in movies--the use (in movies) of guns is almost always in some scene of violence (granted, sometimes heroism), and perhaps gun manufactures don't want that image associated with their products. However, some guns in movies have become very close to the character that uses them, and in no doubt rouse a huge interest from the public in those guns. Take for instance Dirty Harry, with his .44 magnum. I was watching a show on the history channel about magnum cartridges, and apparently that after that movie was released, the sales of the .44 magnum absolutely shot through the roof; everybody wanted Clint Eastwood's preferred revolver. Also, James Bond. Even those who don't even carry a slight interest in shooting or guns can probably tell you that Walther makes James Bond's sidearm of choice, and the Walther PPK (and I guess, more recently, the P99) is now almost always associated in non-gun circles with spies and government agents, regardless of its actual popularity with intelligence agencies.
Anyway, I really think that placement of guns in movies, even if not actually paid for by Walther, Smith & Wesson, or what have you, is a huge source of sales for gun makers--especially those whom otherwise may not be known (Colt guns are famous because of their huge intertwining in American culture, however, Glocks probably generate a vast proportion of consumer attention through the media). Do you guys here think that product placement is very big with guns? If so, is it a good idea (I wouldn't want someone buying a Glock just because they want to be like Jason Bourne; I'd hope they'd actually take time to know how to use a gun and especially one as unique as a Glock...then again, that's what the laws are for)?
