The cover features Katie Holmes with her daughter Suri. Now, I didn't intentionally look at it. It was more of a glance as my eyes were headed to the candy bars, but what I couldn't help being blindsided by was the Baskin-Robbins cup.
Sure, paparazzi do their fair share of photo taking, but in this day and age celebrities have been known to submit their own photos to magazines. As such, I couldn't help but to question whether the Cruise-Holmes family had sold the image to Star. And, if Baskin-Robbins had paid Mrs. Tom Cruise to plant the cup, perfectly mind you, in lil' Suri's clutches.
Ok, I can accept the fact that this is starting to sound a little like a conspiracy theory (and I won't even talk about how Suri's top is pink and matches the Baskin-Robbins' color palate). However, don't underestimate the power of Corporate America, people. Product placement is an art. The goal of this multi-million dollar industry is to subtly make you want something you probably don't need.
Surely, I'm not the only one who thinks that the Baskin-Robbins cup is featured just a little too prominently and a little too perfectly. Or, am I?
Let me hear it, folks! Am I crazy? Or crazy smart? I'll defer to the majority on this one.*
* I can be swayed one way or the other on this topic with a scoop of Baskin-Robbins Cotton Candy ice cream. No, I wasn't paid to say that. But, I suddenly have a craving for it. Weird.
Very interesting!!! Wouldn't be surprised ... I too am a skeptic and it's so easy to make money through product placement that I can't imagine Kate/Tom turning down an offer from Baskin Robbins.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your opinion, Sara! I seriously noticed that cup before I even saw who the people were. It's just so front and center! Almost smack dab in the middle of the page, too. Just seems suspicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me feel a little less like a whack job! ;->
Hee-hee. I'm going to have go with crazy-smart and I'd bet that if BR were to see this post, they'd think "Wish we'd thought of that!"
ReplyDeleteHey Marianne! Yeah, if this wasn't intentional, it's great subliminal advertising for Baskin-Robbins, huh? Thanks for chiming into the "Is Amber crazy or not" debate ;->
ReplyDeletemy question would be, is that the only place on the cup that has a logo? Because the odds of "perfect placement" obviously increase if the BR is all over it. Second question - do Tom and Katie really need any more money? Oh, wait, this "logo cash" might be earmarked for the church of scientology... seriously!
ReplyDeleteI believe the BR logo is on the cups twice (one on each side). I don't believe it's all around the cup. But, it's not even slightly off to the side, it's front and center. That's what gets me.
ReplyDeleteAs for Scientology, people disappear making jokes about that. I'm not touchin' that one, missy! :->
Seem like PP to me... I think it's all staged. Ok not all... but a lot.
ReplyDeleteHey Christine! Thanks for weighing in. I needed some feedback on this one. Could be innocent, but it just looks so darned staged.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to share your opinion! ;->
I don't think you're crazy at all. But then again, my hair dryer talks to me. Have to say, it looks like Momma Cruise could use some ice cream herself to sweeten her disposition.
ReplyDeleteI bet Katie didnt even have to pay for that cup of ice cream :) However, if she was being paid to take her daughter to get ice cream, dont you think she would have fixed her hair a bit, knowing photogs would be around.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just the PP that gets me, the whole thing just looks so, 'pose now'. Oh well, the agonized looks of both subjects are real, whether it is papparazi induced or otherwise. I don't think you're crazy on this one :)
ReplyDeleteHmm. Well, maybe your hair dryer DOES talk. I'll have to think on that one.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, Katie does look irked, doesn't she? Lighten up, Katie! We should all have it so tough.
Thanks for adding to our discussion, Jean ;->
It isn't the most flattering photo of Katie, but who knows. Maybe she thinks she looks great.
ReplyDeleteIf there really is nothing to this shot, I bet the Baskin-Robbins execs loved the free publicity! Thanks for adding your opinion to the mix, Shelley. I love hearing everyone's thought on this subject.
Yay! The "not crazy" votes are winning!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to add to the dialogue, Deanna! I appreciate hearing your feedback on the Great Ice Cream Debate!
I don't think this was intentional. Suri eats ice cream or cupcakes every day. But if I were Baskin Robbins, I would capitalize on this tot's sugar cravings to my advantage. Cute kid, never carries a book though. I think it's weird she never has a book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in. How do you know so much about her diet and reading habits????
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, though. If Baskin-Robbins doesn't capitalize on this in some way, its marketing department should be gutted.
Crazy smart. I've always had a feeling Holmes was paid to marry Cruise...for various "reasons"... so of course I'd think they'd take money for just about anything. They are about as believable as a couple as Jackson and Presley were.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer! Thanks for adding to our little discussion here.
ReplyDeleteI felt totally like a conspiracy theorist writing this piece, but it just seems too too perfect. Everyone, even celebs, are out to make a buck and product placement is so rampant these days. I just couldn't help but to question the authenticity on this.
I appreciate the "crazy smart" vote! Thanks so much for taking the time to weigh in, Jennifer!