What's with Corrie? Last night we heard Jason overtly advertsing B & Q and Ikea. I thought it sounded really stupid; what do others think?

Why do you think it sounded stupid?
He was being helpful saying it would be cheaper for her to get a replacement light fitting herself, rather than him do it.

Because they are advertising particular shops by doing this.

Thought a while back it was decided they could mention companys as long as it was relevant.

Mentioning shops once isn't considered advertsing on a Soap in that sense. It might have been advertising if the Scene had run:

Jason: I'd go somewhere like B & Q if you wants omethign cheaper.
Sarah: B & Q, hmm but don;t their low prices mean it will be a shoddy product.
Jason: No. Since they are a factory and warehouse outlet it means they can supply high quality prodcue at low low prices. Thats what makes B&Q such great place.
Sarah: So you suggest I go to the high quality low price place as B&Q then.
Jason: Yes there or Ikea.....

However that would have sucked the last bit of life out of that scene so I'm sort of glad they didn't

Haha! I prefer Ikea myself, not that theres one around where I live

what's the big deal? its what people do don't they - go to B&Q or Ikea?

I think you have missed the point of my original message. It sounded weird because I have never heard a TV programme, even on ITV, overtly advertise before.

I know it has been mentioned that advertising laws are to change, but I wasn't aware it had happened yet. As far as I am aware rules regarding product placement and overt advertising, within a programme, still stand, even on ITV.
Last edited by Caramel : 14-11-2005 at 15:21

I don't class it as advertising. I'm not going to rush out to either of those shops just because they were mentioned on the TV.

Has this really affected your viewing pleasure?

I don;t see the problem with everyday companies being mentioned in fictional "everyday speech", it is meant to reflect a form of real life so why not say it!!

What I am trying to obtain is factual information as to when the inclusion of blatant advertising became acceptable and thought someone on this forum may know. It has nothing to do with viewing pleasure.

'blatant advertising' is a bit strong.
All he did was mention the stores, although I can't think of any other examples recently where this has been done.

I know what you mean I thought it was strange too, cos I remember ages ago seeing a clip on Harry Hill's programme where Nick asked for a bottle of 'Stellberg' in the Rovers, it was laughing at the way they had to make up a name for the beer cos they couldn't use a proper brand name

Well I hated it because I'm a supervisor at Homebase and we didn't get a mention despite having the superior quality of shelving and fixings all at low prices

Thank you for your comments everyone, but I still don't have an answer to my question. The BBC board may be more helpful, I'll check out the posters there.

I did think it unusual that they mentioned perticular shops, especially as just saying DIY shop or hardware shop would have done. However it in no way was over the top, no worse than every shot in the cabin having a product in full view.

Product Placement is not permitted under advertising regulations, even on ITV; this is why the beer pumps in the Rovers and the 'coke' in Roys Rolls are not brands, and why, for instance, the cast, if necessary, would refer to Selotape as sticky tape.

That is why Jason's comment stood out, because it was a definite brand, and as far as I am aware this is against advertising regulations.

If you feel so strongly about it then you should put in a complaint to Ofcom.
Their website has a lot of information about what is and what isn't allowed. Although I'm not sure I understood most of it.