Brands have been sponsoring music videos and movies to promote their products for a long time. These days there is hardly a new video that doesn't contain blatant shots of a new phone model, a soft drink or computer brand. But in a somewhat uncoventional move, Alesha Dixon, the former Mis-Teeq singer and winner of Strictly Come Dancing, just released an internet-only music video for her track 'For You I Will' that basically serves as a complete Ford Focus commercial.
Created by the branded content agency Cake, the video shows Alesha serenading the new Focus car and features an orchestra playing instruments created from car parts. In total 21 parts were taken from a new Ford Focus and turned into musical instruments, including a clutch guitar, door harp, fender bass, transmission case cello and hatchback kick drum.
Mark Whelan, the creative director at Cake, said: "I like the idea of taking elements of a TV ad and remixing them into a music promo." While a Ford spokesman said that the video was to “celebrate†the car. I am sure by celebrate he meant "advertise".
I personally hate the in-your-face advertising in traditional movies and music videos, but I don't mind a video like this that is released especially for this purpose on the Internet. I look at it as an 'extra'.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Branded Content
- Opportunity for brands to sponsor and advertise through creative content like music videos.
- Product Placement
- The incorporation of products and brands into music videos and movies for promotional purposes.
- Innovative Advertising
- Exploring unconventional ways to advertise and promote products, such as integrating them into creative content.
Where This Applies
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry can leverage branded content and product placement to generate additional revenue streams.
- Automotive
- Automotive companies can explore innovative advertising techniques, like integrating their vehicles into music videos, to reach new audiences.
- Marketing and Advertising
- There is an opportunity for marketing and advertising agencies to create unique and engaging branded content, driving customer engagement and brand recognition.
