In the new book entitled Cathy’s Book a very problematic situation arose. Ms. Wells the author talks with companies that her characters use in the book. The talks often lead to the company such as Cover Girl supporting the book with additional advertisement and sponsorship. Cathy’s Book is geared towards the teen girl population and has become a best seller. Problems arise with other novelists doing similar endeavors. Which characters are simply promoting products and which truly should be written the way they are is a tough distinction. Ms. Wells states, “ Mackenzie loves Converse. Does Converse want a to work with us? I have no clue. But that doesn’t negate the fact that Mackenzie loves Converse.” However when asked later if Nike came to her to strike a deal Ms. Wells said she could write in a character that liked Nike.
The moral dilemma arises with when has a book gone to far with its promotions. In the growing world of advertisement today are novels/books a free enterprise yet untapped. Or is it propaganda to let young children get plugged repeatedly for the silly things they don’t need? Books should be tools of learning not tools for advertisement, down with the corporations.
From New York Times (Tuesday Feb 19, 2008)
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