TV shows with most product placements worldwide 2022

A study conducted in early 2022 found that the U.S. version of “The Office” was the TV show with the highest number of product placements worldwide. The mockumentary-style comedy series included 1,448 individual instances of product placement during its nine-season run, followed by “Seinfeld,” with 867 product placements.

The most subtle way of advertising

Product placements in films and television are almost as old as traditional broadcast media itself. One of the various benefits of directly integrating the products into a show or movie is that brands can ensure the viewers’ full attention. Unlike traditional commercials, which are often used for toilet breaks or to restock snacks and refreshments, product placements are a less disruptive way of advertising – sometimes even to the effect that viewers are unaware of embedded marketing. As of 2022, the comedy musical “Josie and the Pussycats” remains the movie with the most product placements of all time, with 109 placements squeezed into its runtime of under two hours.

Product placements for the digital age

Video content consumption has drastically changed over the last few years due to the rise of on-demand streaming services. Therefore, it should be no surprise that advertising methods are also being adjusted to match consumer demands. One of the most exciting advances in advertising technology is arguably the advance of virtual product placement (VPP) tools. This new and innovative technique allows brands to digitally insert their products into TV shows or movie scenes in post-production, meaning that branded items no longer have to be used during the actual filming process. One trailblazer in this AI-driven approach is Amazon, with some of its original shows already featuring VPPs.