Product Placement in the Movies Quiz

Answer: Denny's

Referred to by Scott as 'an American institution', Denny's is a chain of family-style restaurants, with over 1600 restaurants (as of 2006) across the US, most of which are operated as franchises. As Scott points out in the film, Denny's is 'always open'.
The scene from the movie was actually shot in a Swiss Chalet in Oakville. The restaurant was changed to look like a Denny's.

Answer: Windex

Manufactured by C. Johnson's and Sons, Inc., Windex was originally made as a streak-free glass cleaner, but has expanded its product line to include multi-surface cleaners.
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' was originally performed by Nia Vardalos, as a one woman show, which was seen by Rita Wilson. She was so impressed with it that she suggested to Tom Hanks that it be made into a movie. Hanks is the film's producer.

Answer: Mini Cooper

This popular car, made in Great Britain by the British Motor Corporation, was originally designed for use on the race track. The original Mini was produced from 1959 to 2000, but was replaced by the New Mini in 2001.
Thirty-two different Minis were used during the filming of 'The Italian Job', which is a remake of a 1969 movie of the same name, in which Minis were also used as an integral part of the plot.

Answer: Reese's Pieces

Made by The Hershey Company, orange, yellow and brown coloured Reese's Pieces are a peanut butter flavoured candy, first made in 1978.
At one time rumours abounded that M and Ms were originally supposed to be used, but that the Mars Corporation changed their minds because they thought the film was going to flop, and didn't want their product associated with a flop. However it seems that Reese's simply outbid the makers of M and Ms for the right to be used.

Answer: Ovaltine

Made by Associated British Foods, Ovaltine is a malt and cocoa flavoured milk additive, for use in both cold and heated milk. It has been around in Great Britain since 1909. It made its way to North America in 1915, and it is still available today (2006), although it's not as popular as it once was.

Although they did sponsor children's radio shows, and did manufacture decoder rings, they claim that the messages were never commercials, but always referred to the upcoming show.

Answer: Ben and Jerry's

Ben and Jerry's came about when long-time friends Ben and Jerry took a correspondence course from Pennsylvania University on making ice cream. They set up shop in a former gas station in Burlington Vermont in 1977.

In another, earlier scene, we see Bullock using her F.B.I. status to jump the line and place a large order at a Starbucks coffee shop, which is another example of product placement.

Answer: Starbucks

Starbucks was started by three friends (two teachers and a writer) who were interested in making good coffee from high quality coffee beans and machines. Since its 1971 inception in Seattle, it has grown into a chain of over 10,000 coffee shops world-wide (as of 2006).
Of course being evil, Dr. Evil (played by Mike Meyers) has no interest in the honest money acquired from owning this highly lucrative chain.

Answer: Wilson

Owned by Finnish company Amer Sports, Wilson Sporting Goods manufactures sporting goods and accessories for a lot of sports, most of which involve the use of some sort of ball.
Three volleyballs used during the production of the film.
The real owner of Fed Ex, Fred Smith, appears briefly in the movie.

Answer: DeLorean

The model of sports car that was used in 'BTTF' was the DeLorean DMC-12, which was made between 1981 and 1983. The fact that the body of the car was made of stainless steel was why Dr. Brown chose it as the vehicle for his time machine, because it could withstand the temperatures of re-entry.

The classy look of the vehicle was also a contributing factor, as Dr, Brown was also heard to say, 'The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?' Three DeLoreans used during the shooting of the film, but I think they were a little more expensive than the Wilson volleyballs.

Answer: Nike

Named after the Greek Goddess of victory, Nike, with its easily recognizable swoosh, manufactures sporting equipment, clothing and accessories. The company started when Stanford University grad, Phil Knight decided to find a way to produce lower end athletic footwear that would compete successfully with the expensive German-made shoes available at the time. He enlisted his track coach, Bill Bowerman, in his efforts, and the company that was to become the giant Nike was born.
The people Nick Marshall gives his pitch to are really from the advertising department at Nike.