SNL Sold Out, Got $3 Mil for Pepsi Placement in MacGruber

AgencySpy has learned that Pepsi Co. paid SNL $3 million to have the Pepsi brand placed in SNL’s MacGruber sketch. According to a high-level source, Pepsi and Arnell Group met with SNL’s Lorne Michaels to make the deal happen.

macgruber.jpg

We’re told the buy was solely for the product placement, not for media. Furthermore, the MacGruber spot was not originally intended to air during the Super Bowl &#151 and that at the last minute things were shuffled around to fit the ad in.

Yet another source tells us that the initial plan was to air the first installment of the MacGruber sketch, but that too was switched out for the more Pepsi-heavy second bit.

More:NBC, Pepsi Jerk One Another Off, Hit Will Forte in Crossfire

MEDIABISTRO COURSES

Online Classes Starting This Week

This week we’re bringing you a bunch of great online courses to help you launch a new career, hone your passion, or discover your hidden talent. Courses including Writing the TV Spec Script, Facebook Marketing, Intro to Digital Project Management, and Boot Camp for Journalists. See all online courses.