What's so bad about "free advertising"?

[Jon]

Why is it such a big deal? A news reporter can't even use an umbrella that has a logo of its manufacturer on it, or even wear a shirt with the Nike symbol.

Does this suggest that everything that TV shows it advertises?

[Steve D]

There's nothing bad with free advertising if you are the ones getting the free advertising. However, using Nike, if the reporter wears the Nike shirt, doesn't that tick off Reebok who says, hey, you're giving Nike free advertising, either you give me free advertising or I am not going to advertise on your station/network - which decreases revenues, etc. Simple business decision.

[Joel Gardberg]

Product placement is the term for seeing products on tv or in a movie. It's all about business.

[Jon]

Many businesses wanted this rule brought in because they were all worried that one of their rivals might get free publicity this way.