Is Sony Good for Bond?

[Blowfeld]

Talking with a colleague about various other non-007 related topics, she mentioned theory about Sony. Market positioning, innovation, etc.

She got me to consider maybe Sony is a bad partner as far as the Eon 007 franchise is concerned.

What do you all think?

[Kristatos]

Talking with a colleague about various other non-007 related topics, she mentioned theory about Sony. Market positioning, innovation, etc.

She got me to consider maybe Sony is a bad partner as far as the Eon 007 franchise is concerned.

What do you all think?

Well, I know the Bond films practically invented product placement, but CaSony Royale went way over the top. It reminded me of the "I bow to no sponsor" scene in Wayne's World 2. So for that alone, I give Sony negative marks.

[Captain Nash]

I've found since the inclusion of the BMW in GE, (and before Sony became invloved) that the Bonds have sold out to the advertisers. The Z3 in GE was there as nothing more than a car ad for BMW.But then nearly all films do it now. Especially the big 'bum on seat' flicks.
DAD was another trip to the advertisers hell hole, and yes even CR has far too much product placement. But it's a billion dollar industry that would seem is here to stay. There should be some kind of ruling to limit the ammount that can be used.
As for Sony, well it's not as if they're going to use a competitors brand in a film they're funding. As for there part in the Bond franchise. So far no real problems, but I understand your concern too.

[Kristatos]

I've found since the inclusion of the BMW in GE, (and before Sony became invloved) that the Bonds have sold out to the advertisers.

Oh, it goes back way before then, at least as far as Moonraker, aka 007-Up.

[paco chaos]

I could have done with less Sony product placement in CR. especially the fact that Bond was using a Sony Ericson cell phone. I have a Sony Ericson phone and it's the biggest piece of crap ever. I would hope that her Majesty's Secret Service had better equipment.
but does anybody know why Fox is distributing the DVD's of the other films? I thought Sony bought MGM. Did they just buy the rights to produce the new films? did Fox buy the older catalogue? that seems strange to me, and I get the Idea that Casino Royale wont be included in future box sets with the other films.

[Captain Nash]

I've found since the inclusion of the BMW in GE, (and before Sony became invloved) that the Bonds have sold out to the advertisers.

Oh, it goes back way before then, at least as far as Moonraker, aka 007-Up.

That's true, but it was less noticable then, although MR does have some terrible uses of advertising in it.
As for Bonds phone paco, well it's not like they're going to give him a Samsung or Nokia, when Sony are putting up the money for the film.
I can turn a blind eye to such things. I know they're there, and they annoy me, but I'm not sure how to stop them.
But this is not the first time that it's happened in films so I don't see the big deal with CR.
I'm sure they'll be more of the same in Bond 22.

[Dr. No]

Sony really whored out the franchise (i will change this word if someone is offended)
its not like the franchise was never know for it's high stands in accepting advertisement. CR cut a new low and i blame Sony for it.
Spiderman is a sony film and the advertising is not over whelming. off the top of my head I can't name an specific scene in the 3 spider movies where i know the sony advertisements are. they are probably there but didn't make a impression.

finally this is why I don't like sony

http://www.dvdtown.com/news/the-departe ... lease/4490
The Departed is the most sold HD release
Warner Bros. claim 100,000 units sold of "The Departed" on HD-DVD and Blu-ray sold to consumers.

Sony had a similar claim about their "Casino Royale" Blu-ray release.(released a full month after 'The Departed') However, it turned out to be shipped units and not sold.

Is fox owned by sony now ?
If not how could MGM give fox DVD rights?

[The Sweeney]

I work for Sony, so in my book they are ok.

[Kristatos]

I work for Sony, so in my book they are ok.

That explains a lot.

[paco chaos]

Spiderman had the big Sony screen in Times Square in all three films. other than that I'm not sure where any product placement is. Mary Jane and Harry both used cell phones, but I don't remember a big closeup on the brand label.
but in CR you certainly get a big view of the Sony logo on all of Bond's accessories.

[The Sweeney]

I work for Sony, so in my book they are ok.

That explains a lot.

But I'm a MASSIVE Ian Fleming fan. That should explain more....

[stockslivevan]

And it all started with the Smirnoff advertising their new product on Dr. No...

A nice close up of the Smirnoff bottle, pan to Bond being served a glass, told how it was done and then the money linet: "Mmm, than you."

Funny, without that, Smirnoff wouldn't have been as well known today.

[The Sweeney]

And it all started with the Smirnoff advertising their new product on Dr. No...

A nice close up of the Smirnoff bottle, pan to Bond being served a glass, told how it was done and then the money linet: "Mmm, than you."

Funny, without that, Smirnoff wouldn't have been as well known today.

Bond IS the ultimate product placement, a marketing department's wet dream. Always has been. I remember 7UP and BA in MR, Perrier and Philips in TLD, Dunhill pen in TMWTGG, BMW in GE, TND, TWINE, etc.

It actually started waaay before Dr. No though, Stocks. In the Fleming novels, product naming was littered with them (although back then I doubt Fleming was getting paid millions to mention them. He just liked putting brand names in).

[paco chaos]

I don't mind the product placement if it's subtle, but in CR it seemed like we were getting beat over the head with Sony logos. plus it didn't help that this was the first film produced by Sony, since they accquired MGM.

[Captain Nash]

I don't mind the product placement if it's subtle, but in CR it seemed like we were getting beat over the head with Sony logos. plus it didn't help that this was the first film produced by Sony, since they accquired MGM.

And you didn't feel that with Die Another Day?
Granted that CR has to much advertising included, but DAD was an extented advert for me, and one of the many reasons I dislike the film so much.

[paco chaos]

I don't mind the product placement if it's subtle, but in CR it seemed like we were getting beat over the head with Sony logos. plus it didn't help that this was the first film produced by Sony, since they accquired MGM.

And you didn't feel that with Die Another Day?
Granted that CR has to much advertising included, but DAD was an extented advert for me, and one of the many reasons I dislike the film so much.

I felt that DAD had a large amount of product placement, but not all for the same company. CR seemed like it should have had a voice over saying, "this episode of James Bond was brought to you by the good people at Sony".

[Captain Nash]

So all the other product placement was wasted on you?
What a waste of money for Virgin, Omega, Heineken etc etc.
Though I have to agree I'd like the pp cut down in coming Bond films. It's the bane of many a Bond fan.

[James]

Sony is good for the franchise in that they put together a big campaign to hype the film. I can't say I was thrilled with the actual product though and the direction they've taken James Bond in.

[paco chaos]

So all the other product placement was wasted on you?
What a waste of money for Virgin, Omega, Heineken etc etc.
Though I have to agree I'd like the pp cut down in coming Bond films. It's the bane of many a Bond fan.

no, I rushed out and purchased all the above brands due to the fact that I'm a gullible consumer. at least I must be since I went to see Casino Royale based on the fact that the Brand Name said James Bond, yet didn't actually resemble him.

[Captain Nash]

Poor you.