The past was a simpler time, when and music videos were just about big hair, bad dancing and fake windows, and not a constant stream of ads. But that’s about to change; not only is product placement ubiquitous in clips now, but they’re about to invade the music of the past.
Product placement in music videos is nothing new – Lady Gaga has even turned it in to a Warholesque artform. But now Universal music has teamed with advertisers Mirriad, who will be able to retroactively change the advertisements and products featured.
Provided that the label and artists agrees, ads will be added to clips in the Universal catalog, and old placements will be updated, saving stars the humiliation of being seen with out of date technology.
In the age where nobody seems to want to pay for music, it’s understandable that artists and labels need to find alternative revenue streams. Perhaps the ability to monetize old videos will end the horrifying sight of ageing stars coming out of retirement to make some more cash.
Still, it’s a shame to see bands and artists you love give themselves over to our omnipresent advertising overlords.
