How Product Placement Works In 2020 - With AI, Deep Learning And More

Lucy Hale at The CW's Summer 2019 TCA Party, sponsored by BEN (Photo by Jean Baptiste ... [ ] Lacroix/WireImage) Product placement just ain't what it used to be--and boy, is that a good thing. What originated as an old-school Hollywood function to beat housewives over the head with brand names and'must-have' products, has transformed into a modern, data-driven marketing tool that works for everyone involved. For years, BEN, a Bill Gates-owned product placement agency, has been at the forefront. As one of the first companies to utilize AI to identify, match and facilitate product placement opportunities across film, TV, music videos and social media, you will not only see their work everywhere, but not see it everywhere. Historically, they're behind some of the most iconic placements in Austin Powers, Forrest Gump, and ET, but more recent placements range from the adorably obvious (the family eating Cheerios in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) to the unexpectedly inconspicuous (see: flipped Chevrolets in Deadpool or Microsoft phones in Get Out).