Can we expect product placement in a movie that is set in the space, more specifically on Mars? Of course. There won’t be alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, headphones and cars, but producers can surely include computers and other hi-tech gadgets, watches, clothes … and so on.

Gravity for example was without product placement, but on the other hand Interstellar got a very good placement, which was covered in the blog post Product placement in Interstellar: Hamilton watch.

If you watched The Martian you have definitely seen several GoPro cameras and probably some other brands as well.

Let’s check product placement from The Martian, a movie about astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) who is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind on Mars by his crew.

GoPro

GoPro cameras were everywhere: in the settlement on Mars, in the rover and in the space shuttle. Even though there wasn’t any GoPro logo visible, you could recognize their cameras.

GoPro's product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
GoPro’s product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)

Cisco

Cisco was responsible for all communication in the movie. Their logo was clearly visible during webcam conversations.

Cisco's product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
Cisco’s product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)

CNN

CNN was the major TV channel that was used to show how significant was Mark Watney’s rescue.

CNN's product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
CNN’s product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)

Hamilton watch

Hamilton has an aviation heritage dating back to 1919 and apparently wants to enhance its image as a watch for pilots and astronauts. After seeing Hamilton watch in Interstellar, their product placement in The Martian is kind of obvious. Damon wore Hamilton Khaki Navy BelowZero.

Hamilton's product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
Hamilton’s product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
Hamilton BelowZero
Hamilton BelowZero

Under Armour

Under Armour’s clothes weren’t seen in the movie, however the brand used the movie in their marketing campaign with Matt Damon – Under Armour has become the “Official Training Partner of the Ares Program”, created a special microsite and you can also buy Matt Damon’s gear.

Under Armour

AOC

An AOC monitor could be seen on Mars station.

AOC's product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)
AOC’s product placement in The Martian (2015, 20th Century Fox, screen capture)

NASA

The Martian was extremely important for NASA. Andy Weir, the author of the book, made all research about Mars online, but when Ridley Scott, the director of the movie, called NASA for help they were all over the moon. The Martian more or less presents NASA’s future vision, minus all the drama. You can read more about NASA’s involvement in the article Why NASA helped Ridley Scott create ‘The Martian’ film.

 

Even though The Martian is mostly set on Mars the producers included several brands, but they did it pretty good. The main beneficiary of the book and the movie should be NASA. The movie should increase the interest in space exploration. Even more, at the same time that the movie started NASA announced that water has been found on the Red Planet. Pretty cool, ha.

***

After I wrote this article I found out that there was a microwave in the space as well. Check blog post Gorenje microwave oven in The Martian for more details.

5 Comments
  1. I thought the GoPro placement was genius. As far as extreme sports, I think going to another planet and sustaining yourself for 2 years is pretty far up there.

  2. I am new to the world of GoPro and I am already fascinated. I work in film and I hand made various props that I would like to capture on a GoPro camera. Anyone know if I am able to have up to six cameras to facilitate a short film that will outline and show as a visual for the work I create on a set? Cheers. Anna

  3. When some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she
    desires to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.

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