I came across this in the archives of Chris Brogan’s blog. Even though I share Lynch’s frustration, I feel that product placement is kind of paradoxical (at least for my generation): we’re more likely to notice if an actor/character is consuming a non-branded product
For example, I’ll notice it if Brad Pitt is drinking Acme Cola; but if he’s drinking Coca Cola, my brain will tune it out altogether (or will it?).
Where product placement becomes problematic is when superfluous shots are set up not only to get the product in there, but to feature them. That’s when marketing starts circumscribing art instead of vice versa.