Is This Bad Biz Ethics Or What?

Would product placement in TV shows and movies (e.g., Dr. Pepper in 'X2' or Jeep in the upcoming Lara Croft 2) be included in this? Or, are we limiting this to the actual media companies (e.g., newspapers, TV stations, news & entertainment websites) that produce content or report information?

> Hi Jim,

> To my understanding, JV deals with some of
> the media can happen all the time. For
> example, a deal such as - mention our
> product and we'll pay you a portion of the
> profits.

> I haven't done it msyelf, but I think it
> does happen....

> Is it ethical? Obviously, the media might
> not be completely "independent" in
> what they're saying or writing if they are
> making money from a product or service they
> are writing about. However, I don't think
> the media is really truly independent
> anyway. For example, many media companies
> are careful not to annoy their advertisers,
> because their advertisers are their
> "bread and butter"....

> - Dien Rice