In the TV show psych that stopped airing 2014, one of the two main characters owned a car that they always drove around in to investigate things on their own. They referred to this car as "the blueberry", but you could always see that it was a Toyota Echo. Although they often pointed out that it was not the coolest car in the world, the owner of it (Gus) always argued its reliability and affordability, like many other things he owned. "The blueberry" lasted the whole entire 8 seasons until in the last season it was finally split in half by an assassin's car and they could no longer drive it. In one episode the blueberry was in the shop so they got a rental car that was the exact same car, only in red so they called it "the cranberry". The two main character's developed a love for the car throughout the 8 seasons and it was comical that this car that didn't look that impressive, but could last them through their many crazy adventures and do everything they needed it to. I think that with this product placement they were attempting to connect with a specific audience of people that are like Gus, that believe in certain things strongly, even if they aren't seen as cool or desirable by others. The overall idea of defying expectations is what Toyota is attempting to put out to this audience about their product.
12/10/16
I saw this car all throughout the show, and by the 8th season, I really liked the car. Even though it is not a fancy sports car or a rare classic, I still wanted it because of how much I saw it and how much praise Gus gave it. If I could have, I probably would have bought the car. This made me realize how much product placement influences our thinking.
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