Enter first time author Tina Wells. She is CEO of Buzz Marketing Group, which advises clients on the intricacies of product placement. She is a guru when it comes to marketing to teens and preteens. She is extremely talented and only 24 years old. She is also the new author for an upcoming series from Harper Collins titled “Mackenzie Blue”. In her book, the central character loves Converse. She said this is central to her character. She has no idea whether Converse wants to sponsor the book though. But when asked if Nike requested product placement she said she would possibly look at another character for the placement.

Tina said she was inspired to write the series because she felt it was important for girls to have positive books to read and to encourage them to make good choices.

So did she write the book first and happen to have the central character use Converse then thought, hey, maybe they would pay me for product placement?

I wonder if she had any conversations or relationships before she wrote the book with any of the manufacturers of the products she places in her story. Is that what she meant by “good choices”?

Should this bother me or do I just have too much time on my hands!
Via New York Times

Related posts:

1. Product Placement in Books
2. Sharp Eyed Reader Spots New Sony Reader
3. JK Rowling Thinking About a Sequel to Harry Potter Series