Technology changed product placement (and you didn't even notice)

03 Nov 2014 • engadget.com

Over the past few weeks, Avicii fans in the US have been unknowingly drawing an association between their favorite Swedish DJ’s proghouse hit “Lay me Down” and orange-flavored cognac. Everywhere else in the world, the brand is never seen – a plain wall lies in its place. It’s one of the first examples of a new kind of temporary product placement called “digital insertion.” Typically, product placement currently takes the form of a lingering product shot – like a Beats Pill speaker at the start of a Miley Cyrus video. With recent advances, companies can now use algorithms to digitally serve you unique product placements based on where you live, your age or your salary. It’s a creepy concept, but it could change advertising forever.

I really hope this isn’t the future but deep down inside I know it is.