Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
007 Flies Virgin
Product placement has long been a part of the James Bond franchise. The trend will continue with the soon to be released Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig's second outing as 007. It is not only Smirnoff and BMW getting in on the shameless promotion this time. Bond will be flying on Virgin Atlantic between the US and UK - in the Upper Class Cabin, of course. According to the Virgin Atlantic web site, filming took place on board one of their aircraft in January in England. The airline seems to be intent on milking its cameo for all it's worth. They are even serving a Bond-inspired cocktail in their US and UK clubhouses. No, you won't hear any orders for shaken-not-stirred martinis. The new drink is called a Vesper. It consists of Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose and Lillet Blanc. (At least Bond finally realized that Smirnoff is rotgut).
I'm not sure if getting their brand on Bond will bring customers to the airline. I mean, is there really anyone out there who would fly Virgin simply because a fiction character, however dashing and cool, does? Quantum of Solace hits screens on November 14th.
Related
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
clarke Oct 13th 2008 2:07PM
well one could say would anyone ever want an Aston Martin, if Bond didn't drive one?
Jerrick Oct 13th 2008 4:38PM
Oh and the Movie comes out 31st Oct in the UK
Frogmarch Oct 14th 2008 9:04AM
The Vesper isn't a new cocktail-- it was described in Ian Fleming's Casino Royale (1953), thusly:
"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?"
Of course, I don't think they make Kina Lillet any more, and I guess Bombay Sapphire has more ad-budget dosh than Gordon's to throw at product placement these days.