National Guard advertisement in "Taxi" DVD

[fishwax]

So we rented the movie Taxi tonight from Blockbuster (I know, I know, but we were desperate, and blockbuster is right up the street). For those who don't know the movie, it's pretty clearly targeted for the 15-22 year old market, with Saturday Night Live's Jimmy Fallon adn Queen Latifah.

Anyway, the insert inside the DVD case was an advertisement for the National Guard, which was irritating and unsurprising given the target demographic of the film. (We had just watched Bill Maher's "Be More Cynical," so my wife's attentions and hackles were particularly raised.)

Has anyone else noticed this? Is it a tactic of the company producing the DVD (in this case, Fox)? Or does Blockbuster slip them in before putting the cases out for rental? Anyone have any idea?

[cubschicago]

1. Well if it is FOX

It isn't a "tactic". The National Guard is paying Fox to let them put a flier in there. It doesn't matter who wants to advertise. FOX is about making money.

My guess though is that it is Blockbuster who is selling the marketing chance. If you get your thing from Blockbuster, they own the product at that point. FOX just sells them the DVDs. Blockbuster can do whatever they want after that.

[fishwax]

6. blockbuster was my guess too

though the next person who rents this particular DVD probably won't see the advertisement (I'm not sayin'; i'm just sayin' ...)

[Wetzelbill]

2. I always get those, I think Blockbuster slips them in

Not sure though.

[TahitiNut]

3. Blockbuster is 60% red and 40% blue

Hollywood video is 50/50. I use Hollywood.

[LeftyMom]

4. Isn't Blockbuster buying Hollywood?

I thought that went through.

I miss the local video store. They had all kinds of cool stuff the chains don't have.

[fishwax]

7. I don't think there's a hollywood here in town

I just moved here a week ago, and I haven't seen one yet ... I actually use netflix mostly, but they've had trouble catching up with my forwarding address, and tonight we were in the mood to watch movies, os we resorted to blockbuster

[mockmonkey]

5. Family Video

here is Wisconsin was doing the same thing. I don't remember which DVD it was I rented other than I thought it was an odd choice for such a flyer. Usually they advertise Family Video's ISP service.

[fishwax]

8. I guess that confims that it's the rental chain

and not the DVD distribution agent. I find it disconcerting (but not surprising) that the rental chain feels welcome to add their own individual advertising to the DVD itself. I wonder how much Blockbuster/Family Video gets paid for the addition of a National Guard advertisement.

[pstokely]

9. maybe a recruiter sliped it in?

[ConfuZed]

10. I see they are trying to attract the more "Urban" areas

*scratches record*