"...this fresh, delicious, tasty, meaty, turkey filled, cold cut combo. I eat three everyday to keep me strong!" --Happy Gilmore
There are constant product placements in movies but rarely are they taken to the level of Happy Gilmore's Subway commercial. For those of you too young to remember when Adam Sandler made truly funny movies instead of his recently failed attempts at romantic comedies, please leave your seat now and find a copy of the movie. For those that have watched (and in most cases re-watched) Happy Gilmore, you will surely admit that even today you can not make an order for a sandwich without thinking of Adam Sandler.
The downfall to this type of product placement is a fairly specific audience. Not all can appreciate the witty, albeit sophomoric humor that an Adam Sandler movie from the 1990's has to offer. The Happy Gilmore audience mainly included males in their early teens to mid-twenties. This works for Subway as their website states their target market is adults from 16-39 (Subway FAQ). Not only did Happy Gilmore present itself to a large portion of their main target but the target of the placement was affected early enough that they will remain in their target market for years to come.
Now if Subway wanted to recapitalize on this great product placement they would do whatever possible to cast Adam Sandler in a Subway commercial. He may not come cheap but he would be much more effective than Jared's weight loss or a terrible jingle about $5 dollars for a foot of sandwich. Seeing Adam Sandler as an older Happy, attempting to recreate his "hole-in-one" with a cold cut combo would be enough for me, and many other, to make our dinner plans a little simpler tonight by opting out of cooking and choosing to stop by Subway on the drive home.
There are constant product placements in movies but rarely are they taken to the level of Happy Gilmore's Subway commercial. For those of you too young to remember when Adam Sandler made truly funny movies instead of his recently failed attempts at romantic comedies, please leave your seat now and find a copy of the movie. For those that have watched (and in most cases re-watched) Happy Gilmore, you will surely admit that even today you can not make an order for a sandwich without thinking of Adam Sandler.
The downfall to this type of product placement is a fairly specific audience. Not all can appreciate the witty, albeit sophomoric humor that an Adam Sandler movie from the 1990's has to offer. The Happy Gilmore audience mainly included males in their early teens to mid-twenties. This works for Subway as their website states their target market is adults from 16-39 (Subway FAQ). Not only did Happy Gilmore present itself to a large portion of their main target but the target of the placement was affected early enough that they will remain in their target market for years to come.
Now if Subway wanted to recapitalize on this great product placement they would do whatever possible to cast Adam Sandler in a Subway commercial. He may not come cheap but he would be much more effective than Jared's weight loss or a terrible jingle about $5 dollars for a foot of sandwich. Seeing Adam Sandler as an older Happy, attempting to recreate his "hole-in-one" with a cold cut combo would be enough for me, and many other, to make our dinner plans a little simpler tonight by opting out of cooking and choosing to stop by Subway on the drive home.
You need some pictures for those of us who have not seen Happy Gilmore and don't really know what you're talking about. Then maybe we can have a conversation about it...
ReplyDeleteBethany S
I agree that this is probably one of the most outlandish and overt product placements in recent history. Almost makes me wonder how old subway was that they would agree to have one of their sandwiches laid on the ground and whacked with a 3 wood. Seems that this might have been a last-ditch effort for Subway to push themselves to the forefront of the sandwich chain crowd. And now look at Subway, they are easily the top dog and all other competitors have to compete with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam Sandler ~ Subway
Oh, Subway. The only way to get Adam Sandler to do a commercial is to embed the commercial within a movie's script -- and it worked. Subway has grown to be bigger than McDonald's (at least this is what I've read) and has had successful campaigns since (can you order a sandwich without singing $5 footlong? any any any!) They've even launched a breakfast menu. They've covered the bases of making sure they market how healthy AND delicious Subway can be while comparing to their competitors who AREN'T, they nab celebrity endorsements, and have a catchy song. I suppose it isn't surprising.
ReplyDelete-Danielle
I totally agree with happy Gilmore having amazing product placement with subway! I can perfectly remember how big of a mark subway left in that movie without being too obvious. I think that is the best type of product placement when it is almost so decrease it’s like a subliminal message. I love that movie and the product placement!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Comments. Bethany I added a clip from the movie. It is not the entire Subway scene but it will have to do.
ReplyDeletethis is great blog post also read this happy gilmore memes
ReplyDeleteBest comic line in history.... I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast and then..... lol
ReplyDelete