The tentacle-like growth of clandestine advertising in American TV shows in the form of product placement has taken another controversial step with the introduction of McDonald’s products into regional news programmes.

Several TV outlets have begun to sell the fast-food giant the right to place cups of its iced coffee on to the desks of news anchors [Jason Feinberg and Monica Jackson] as they present morning current affairs shows.

Typical is Fox 5 News in Las Vegas, an affiliate of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox television network. Two cups of coffee, their cubes of ice glinting in the studio lights, now daily stand before the channel’s morning presenters.
...
The station’s news director, Adam Bradshaw, said ... “the McDonald’s deal would in no way impede the station broadcasting negative news concerning the food chain.

“News is news. Sales is sales. If there’s a story about McDonald’s we would report on it just like anyone else,” he said.

Floor Manager: Okay, we’re back on in three, two, ...
Jason: Hi, welcome back!
Monica: Yes, welcome.
Jason: So, just to recap on our leading headline today - Serbia has been urged to follow up the arrest of former leader Radovan Karadzic by pursuing his wartime commander, Ratko Mladic. Mr Karadzic, who is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, was arrested in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, whilst working as an alternative medicine doctor. Amazing, huh Monica?
Monica: Amazing, Jason. Where do you think they’ll find Mladic, then?
Jason: Well [fiddles with ear-piece slightly] we have been hearing reports claiming that he’s taken a low-level job in a branch of Burger King in Ivanjica, disguising himself at night by covering his entire body in used polystyrene Whopper boxes.
Monica: Also amazing, Jason.
Jason: Sure is!
Monica: Other headlines making the news today, US Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama has vowed to strengthen US ties with Israel, at the start of a visit to Israel and the West Bank. This afternoon, Mr Obama is also scheduled to visit the southern Israeli town of Sderot - the target of many Palestinian militant rocket attacks.
Jason: Why do you think the Palestinians are so agitated and violent, huh?
Monica: Well Jason, they’re a very traditional people and often reject modern Western influences. For example, their coffee sucks.
Jason: Ha! Is that so? Well, nothing makes me more grumpy in the morning than baaaaaad coffee!
Monica: Me too, Jason. Me too.
Jason: Okay, we’ll be right back in a moment with news of America’s latest teenage ice-skating sensation.
Monica: Ice skating, Jason?
Jason: Yes indeed. ICE skating.
Monica: Also, our Africa correspondent Ronald McDonell has a report on how happy and contended Kenyan coffee bean farmers are.
Jason: And we take a look at the latest Vegas singing sensation - a Filipino tribute to early nineties rap music called - you guessed it - Manila Ice!
Monica: That sounds great, Jason. Back in three!

Tags: media, product placement, fox news, mcdonalds, frank unapologetic whoring