The Magic of Product Placement as a Promotion Medium

THE MAGIC OF PRODUCT PLACEMENT AS A PROMOTION MEDIUM.
by Douglas Castle, Featured columnist for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.

Quick Preamble:

The idea of product placement promotion (as discussed briefly with Ed Harris in his role as Cristov, the producer of The Truman Show ), is a wonderful, almost subliminal way of introducing new brands with the perceived impression of acceptance. It is subtle, but powerful. I have recently become an officer in a company that is the Exclusive US Distributor for an amazing line of accessories for digital photographers. The products are made in Malysia, and imported here. You can learn more about them by going to http://speedlightprokitusa.blogspot.com/, or by visiting http://www.getglobaledge.com/ . Both the Malaysian company, Lightshop Design and its US counterpart, Global EdgeTechnologies Group LLC are both Member companies of TNNW.

Following is letter which I received from Mr. Sam Poon, who works with the Malysian company, and my letter of response to him. Please read both letter carefully. His letter to me was transmitted via Facebook.
___________________________________
Subject: A different kind of brand promotion

Hi Douglas,
Fresh from his Mexico workshop last weekends, Don Giannatti has a different kind of coverage of our speedlight pro kit in his article "Increasing Strobe Power with Photoshop". It was an indirect way of promoting our brand and I think it is brilliant! Check out the article here: http://www.facebook.com/l/eb55d;prophotoresource.com/index.php/Increasing-Strobe-Power-with-Photoshop.html?Itemid=0

Regards,

Sam Poon
Sales & Marketing
Lightshop Design
______________________________________
RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM MR. SAM POON FROM DOUGLAS CASTLE

Subject: Promotion by Product Placement
Product: Speedlight Pro Kit™, Manufactured by Lightshop Design, of Malaysia
Hyperlink:
http://prophotoresource.com/index.php/Increasing-Strobe-Power-with-Photoshop.html?Itemid=0

Dear Sam:

Thank you very much for sending the Giannatti promotion hyperlink to me. Don is a well-regarded photographer. It is a perfect example of “product placement promotion.” It subtly showcases the product in an understated, “matter-of-fact” way which appeals to a more sophisticated prospective clientele. It is highly effective indeed.

When you forward me information in this way, it greatly assists us at http://getglobaledge.com/  in our marketing in the United States – this flow of information, if done very promptly and currently, can allow us to incorporate positive Speedlight ProKit reviews in our news releases to the media. Branding and sales will be very, very favorably affected. This could be of great benefit to you, as it would to us, and to the two principals of Lightshop Design.

Your sharing of breaking news with me is a major first step in building mutual respect, credibility and friendship. Cooperation is the key to building a successful organization, and your stock is rising in its value with me. Please also be at liberty to reference our blog, at http://speedlightprokitusa.blogspot.com/  as an additional tool in your many presentations.

Additionally, I would like to be your friend on Facebook, and would be delighted if you would add me to your network. Having said this, since I don't use Facebook that frequently, please always feel at liberty to send emails directly to me at douglas.castle@GetGlobalEdge.com  . In this way, I can be more rapidly responsive. If you would be so kind, I would like to have your preferred direct email address for you in addition to the .speedlightprokit.com domain email.

Once again, Sam, thank you for your insight into this wonderful, dignified approach to marketing.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

p.s. It is an endless source of humiliation for me that I cannot eat with chopsticks! My daughters can....my wife can...my 87 year-old mother can -- I must be a slow learner. I am confined to eating with a knife and fork. They are my weapons of choice in the great food war.

The above is a photo of the irrepressible Sam Poon, engaging in gustatory gratification.

p.s. My personal thanks to Ms. Penny Ng, who actually proofread this article and caught one of my typographical errors. It's nice to know that someone actually reads what I write.