Fresh off our last blog post about branded content, here are Cheech and Chong doing their bit to promote some ‘magic brownies’. We won’t debate the issue of the duo selling out or not, but we’re glad to see that brands are starting to see the power of producing content themselves, instead of following the traditional route of advertising during the screening of shows that they have no creative control over.
What are the advantages of creating branded content? For one, brands can hone in on messaging and content that reflects their brands better. They have the opportunity to curate every aspect of the vehicle that will transport their brand promise, from the talent they cast to the script to the locations they shoot in to the look and feel of the production.
Another advantage is the opportunity for brands to conduct product placement effectively. Instead of being an afterthougt, or being shoehorned into a pre-determined scenario, products can be incorporated into the productions in a more seamless manner.
The mere act of creating branded content alone sends a signal about a brand. For the same or a lower amount of money than a traditional advertising campaign, a company can create buzz just by producing branded content.
These are just a handful of reasons why we predict branded content will become more prevalent in the near future.