As someone affiliated with the coffee business (I own an espresso bar) news of Starbuck's always garners attention... know your enemies. I don't necessarily see SB as an enemy (they are indirectly why I now have a business), but it's always appreciated when the media unveils links in their armor.
So it was both interesting and appalling when I caught wind of Fox interviewing a coffee industry consultant concerning McDonald's coffee being preferred over Starbuck's, not because I care for either company's choice for a basic brew, but because of this: "McDonalds and Fox News Team Up in Product Placement Deals." I'm not rooting for Starbuck's, but find it interesting that FOX would take sides while cashing a check from their preferred choice! Whodathunk?
Product placement on news shows! WTF. Won't this affect advertising dollars from McDonald's competitors? Whatever. The news and reason for posting this is not necessarily because of the McDonald's/Fox News tie-in, but rather the negative attention it may draw to Fox and the idea they are not a fair and balance news stream, but "drifting away from the standards of straight news in the direction of entertainment." Will the association between fast food and "FIXed" news eventually be the downfall to "fair and balanced."
Also reported in the NYT,
"Executives at the station, one of 12 owned by Meredith Corporation, say the six-month promotion is meant to shore up advertising revenue and, as they told the news staff, will not influence content"..."There was a healthy dose of skepticism, and I’m pleased there was — it means they’re being journalists," said Adam P. Bradshaw, news director of KVVU.
So, not to seem opinionated, but in an interview on FOX business, the discussion was about McDonald's coffee tasting better than Starbuck's. How exactly would this have made the news if not for the MickeyD/Fox arrangement (see the above, "will not influence content")? I mean, let's compare bad (fast food/fattening of America) with corporate yuppie coffee. This isn't an argument worth discussing, period. Unless it's pay for play.
Love to see this product placement thing get some ink, simply because there is a possibility that FOX news lovers may not appreciate a sellout, and the fair and balance moniker may start corroding bit by bit. I hope.