ADdicted: Ted Lasso's iPhone

Integrating products into popular entertainment is nothing new.

When it's done well, it can drive positive associations and sales for the brand.

When done poorly, it's distracting for the audience, which isn't good for anybody.

It's no secret that Apple co-produces and distributes the highly popular TV show Ted Lasso for its streaming platform, so it should be no surprise that Apple products are used by characters throughout the show. That's standard product placement. Yawn.

But to celebrate the release of Ted Lasso's fourth season, Apple didn't just integrate its products into the show.

It also integrated the show into its products.

Alex Rabinowitz (popculturebrain) produced a video in partnership with Apple that showcases how Apple has hidden Ted Lasso "easter eggs" inside of the iPhones, iPads, and Macs at all of its US stores.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/07TI4a9OkYA

Open the Notes app, and you'll see funny notes that Ted has written to himself.

Open the Calendar app, and you'll see appointments that Ted needs to remember.

Go into the Contacts app, and you'll see a bunch of contacts for Ted, including one for "Apple Inc." (which is quite the meta joke).

And if that wasn't enough of a brilliant promotion, the contact app also includes a "My Card" for Ted Lasso, which features a Kansas number you can actually call if you're doubting yourself, need a reminder to breathe, or just need a laugh courtesy of Ted himself.

And as of this writing, the number really works. Try it for yourself:

Of course, Ted Lasso is an original series co-produced and distributed by Apple, so the tech giant has much more opportunity to do this type of cross-product integration than the average brand.

But if you're going to pursue a product integration, think about this example.

Think about how you might make your integration about more than just products being shown or used by characters in the show or film.

Think about how you can work together with the entertainment properly creatively so that both parties benefit in a synergistic way.

Think about how you can have some fun while doing it.

And BELIEVE the extra effort will be worth it.