What costs $2.99 a bottle, is as sweet as a lollipop and makes me shake my head with wonder? Yup, Sopranos branded soda.
Sure it’s pretty when it catches the light but what marketer thought that anyone would want to drink soft drinks with a TV show logo on them? And, who told them chianti tastes like cream soda?
I’m the first to admit that I’m a pop culture vulture but I don’t need TV and pop singers to clutter up my grocery cart. From Scoobie Doo fruit snacks and Batman Dark Knight lunch boxes, grocery stores are rife with Hollywood influenced branded products.
Cross over branding extends to all facets of retail: P. Diddy has a clothing line, the creator of the Pussy Cat Dolls is hawking Lingerie at La Senza and Paul Newman built a philanthropic empire on salad dressing.
Personally, I’m torn. I own flannel sponge bob pajamas that I love for their cushy comfort and who can fault the Newman family for making the world a better place while selling appealing food products? Still, this nasty tasting soda has annoyed me. What do you think? Is the crossover from pop culture to product branding running amok? Or is it a good thing?
