Product Placement Trivia Quiz

Answer: Starbucks

The first Starbucks coffee store opened in Seattle, Washington in 1971. Eventually more branches appeared in Seattle. In 1992 the company went public. Today Starbucks bills itself as the largest coffee shop chain in the world and boasts thousands of stores throughout the United States and in other countries -- not to mention being placed this quiz.

Answer: Kleenex

Created for removing facial cream, the Kleenex tissue first appeared in 1924. Eventually people began using Kleenex as a disposable handkerchief. Colored versions were introduced in 1929 and pocket-size sheets popped up in 1932. Today Kleenex, manufactured by Kimberly Clark Worldwide, is so universally used, it has become a generic name for facial tissue.

Answer: Pepsi

Caleb Bradham, a North Carolina pharmacist, concocted a soda to compete with Coca-Cola. He named his creation Pepsi-Cola in 1898. Bradham's company and formula were purchased in 1931 by candy manufacturer Charles Guth. He reworked the ingredients of the cola to create a new version of Pepsi. By the late 20th century, Pepsi was also being sold in Russia and around the world.

Answer: Amazon

Founded by Jeff Bezos as an online bookstore in 1994, Amazon has exploded into a gigantic retail juggernaut that sells pretty much anything to pretty much anybody. Amazon has also become a major technology company -- offering a wide range of low-end and very high end solutions to individuals, companies and government.

Answer: Hershey

The small confectionery concern that has bloomed into the global conglomerate Hershey Company was started in 1894 by Milton Hershey in Pennsylvania. The iconic Hershey chocolate bar was rolled out in 1900; bite-size Hershey's Kisses in 1907.

Answer: Mattel

Founded in California in 1945, Mattel today is a mega corporation that sells a vast array of toys -- including Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels miniature racing cars and UNO card games -- throughout the world. Mattel also produces video games, various forms of entertainment programs and other popular diversions. Total revenue in 2022 was more than $5 billion.

Answer: Coke

The Coca Cola Company, which makes the ubiquitous carbonated soda pop Coke, was launched in Atlanta, Georgia in the late 19th century. Today the world-wide corporation markets hundreds of brands -- such as Dasani bottled water, Minute Maid juice drinks and Full Throttle energy drinks. In 2020, the company employed more than 80,000 people worldwide.

Answer: Mercedes

In 1901, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft - a German pioneer in the engineering and auto manufacturing industry -- sold its initial four-cylinder Mercedes automobiles. In 1926, Daimler merged with the Benz company - which rolled out cars and trucks. The partnership was the first to produce passenger autos with diesel engines and the Mercedes-Benz diesel-powered classic was born in 1936. Today the car is often just called a Mercedes.

Answer: Kraft

In the earliest years of the 20th century, James L. Kraft founded a wholesale cheese business in Chicago. Over the years, Kraft's company improved its cheese processing techniques and when World War II broke out, Kraft supplied a lot of cheese to the US military because it was slow to spoil.

In 2012 the Kraft Foods Inc. changed its name to Mondelez International. And in 2015, a subsidiary merged with H. J. Heinz. You can still find -- and place -- Kraft brand products, such as processed cheese singles, mayonnaise and macaroni & cheese.

Answer: Apple

Apple Inc., world-famous makers of computers and personal digital tools -- such as phones and watches -- was started in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The company originated in a residential garage and today is one of the largest corporations on Planet Earth with revenue of $383 billion in 2023. Not sure Apple really needs any product placement.