Comments on: Product placement in books: a publisher’s point of view

By: Shannon

Shannon — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 16:16:44 +0000

While I was at first excited to read references to all the places in Stockholm I had come to know–after the third book of Lars Kepler, it suddenly dawned on me that this was product placement, done for $$$$. Something sleazy about the whole thing. And also, Kepler’s products tend to be addresses of cafes, commercial establishments which will doubtlessly change over time. [When the company leaves the premises do they demand their money back in future editions?] The authors also mention many other buildings: hospitals (lots of people in various hospitals), police stations big and small. Do these also pay to get their names in the books? This practice became an overhanging theme and I began to underline them all (one of these days I will go back and count them) and I lost track of the always exceedingly complex plot. It has been, in the end, distracting.

By: S

Sun, 08 Nov 2015 12:00:23 +0000

I’m appalled by product placement in books–I really don’t care what kind of starbucks coffee a character drinks, and when I come across such a description I lose respect for the author. I find it particularly problematic in children’s books–I like to think that reading exposes children to new worlds, experiences and people–not to simply more pressure to buy the same the old things in order to be ‘cool.’

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:54:55 +0000

I enjoyed the article about product placement in books, but I have a general question that perhaps you can answer for me. Why is there a double standard in TV shows that have product placement? Meaning, why can’t they show products…why aren’t THEY paid or invested in for the mention of products? Instead, they would be liable to pay the corporations. Why the difference?
Thanks!