Audi Boldly Goes Where No Product Placement Has Gone Before

David Hester
by David Hester

Product placement in movies and television can be tricky. It gets hard for the viewer to suspend disbelief and get into a movie or television show when every character pulls up in a brand new model offered by a single manufacturer. I’m looking at you, producers of the 60 minute Chevrolet commercial that runs every Monday on CBS Hawaii Five- O. I’m a cop who works a lot of overtime. The newest vehicle in my family’s personal fleet is seven years old. No new cars will be gracing my driveway any time soon.

It’s especially hard to pull off if you’re talking about a high- end product like a luxury automobile. Audi appears to be pushing the envelope this summer, with supporting roles for the Audi R8 in the new Iron Man 3 already being advertised. Judging from this commercial that appears to have first hit the web on May 6, it looks like we’ll be looking for the Audi rings to be prominently displayed on 23rd century land speeders in the new Star Trek: Into Darkness movie as well. Still, it’s a funny and well done commercial that’s definitely worth a couple minutes of your time.

Hit the jump for the video that explains exactly what the hell Original Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is singing about if your knowledge of geek trivia is wanting…

Behold the wonder that is The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.

Yes, this really happened. It was the sixties. Everyone was on drugs.

You’re welcome.


David Hester
David Hester

Police detective in Central KY, drives 2007 Crown Vic for work, 2001 Silverado and 2002 Camaro for fun.

More by David Hester

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  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on May 08, 2013

    I liked the ad, wish more were like it... gets the point across and gives you something to laugh at. I haven't been in an S-class since the 2005 generation, but if they've gotten so stupid that you can't fit a normal bag it would instantly be removed from my list if I was a big spender (the style of bag used by Nimoy hasn't been sold for many years and isn't a realistic test).

    • See 3 previous
    • Corntrollio Corntrollio on May 09, 2013

      @28-Cars-Later It was an S7 "four door coupe" against a CLS four-door coupe.

  • Ajla Ajla on May 08, 2013

    Whatever TOS characters. Jonathan Frakes has a a convoy of scantily-clad models carry around his golf bag.

  • THIS IS STUPID. #1 They compare an S7 to a CLS550. Why not the AMG? #2 Comand is FAR EASIER to use than that SHIT Audi calls "MMI". #3 Old Spock is BETTER than Young Spock. Still, I have NO IDEA what this movie is about. I was expecting Klingons or Khan. Is it called "INTO DARKNESS" because Spock is sleeping with Uhura?

    • See 1 previous
    • Corntrollio Corntrollio on May 09, 2013

      "They compare an S7 to a CLS550. Why not the AMG?" Because then you'd need an RS7.

  • Dimwit Dimwit on May 08, 2013

    This is nothing new vis a vis the product placement in TV shows. Any one remember all those Quinn Martin productions with the Fords? How about the original Hawaii Five-O? The only thing was nobody ever commentated on the products, they just were, to the point of ridiculousness as in the Rockford Files continuity errors when GM changed the 1977 Firebirds. The commercial is a hoot but ultimately a failure. I doubt that the A8 or the R8 stand out enough to make a difference over the MB. Even having the bag problem isn't too much of a demerit to count. They should have given Leonard's phone a problem or something more obvious.

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