Per today's insightful article by New York Times' reporter David Carr, product-placement techniques that have always been the rage within the framework of film/television (as well as selective use within novels) are permeating traditional journalism via "native advertising"(aka "sponsored content")--to the chagrin of among others, The Wonderfactory's Joe McCambley, the fellow credited with introducing the web's now ubiquitous application: banner advertising.
Similar to the notion of "narrative persuasion"--Carr spotlights the "Fourth Estate" increasing trend towards delivering content that subliminally masks the ultimate agenda of articles that appear to be unbiased, but necessarily put a hopefully powerful spin in favor of the referenced product or service.
When the lines between advertising copy and journalism intersect, that's when audiences might/should cry "foul"---or so McCambley argues. Can you say "Pandora's Box" 5x times in rapid succession?
Ironically, the New York Times, along with Forbes Magazine and a roster of other mainstream news outlets, is now full steam ahead using this very strategy to serve its advertisers. Without intending to endorse advertisers that appear on the page, here's the link to the story:
While you're at it, an informative (non-sponsored!) article re storytelling and narrative persuasion can be found by clicking this link.
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