Sponsoring something is the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. The individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor, is known as the sponsor.
Corporate logos showing NASCAR team sponsors
Sponsorship of an automotive company in equestrian sports
Slazenger has the longest sponsorship in sport, supplying tennis balls to Wimbledon since 1902.
Product placement, also known as embedded marketing, is a marketing technique where references to specific brands or products are incorporated into another work, such as a film or television program, with specific promotional intent. Much of this is done by loaning products, especially when expensive items, such as vehicles, are involved. In 2021, the agreements between brand owners and films and television programs were worth more than US$20 billion.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow featured in the James Bond spy-thriller film The World Is Not Enough at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu in 2012
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Édouard Manet may be an early example of product placement. The distinctive label and shape of two bottles allow them to be identified as Bass beer
Self-advertising: A German countess holds a copy of the magazine Die Woche in her hands. The photo appeared in 1902 in an issue of the magazine. (detail of the actual photograph)
A DMC DeLorean car was used in Back to the Future III.