(written from a Production point of view)
Product placement refers to a form of advertising in which branded goods are incorporated into the content of entertainment such as television shows and movies. Due to its futuristic setting, product placement is relatively rare in Star Trek productions. To date, it has only appeared in several of the Star Trek films and in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Star Trek: Picard.
In the documentary POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, J.J. Abrams was interviewed regarding the product placement in his films, including Star Trek. Abrams noted that it was a "necessary evil", which has to be minimized so that it does not interfere with the creation of a fictional world. [1]
Instances of product placement in Star Trek films include:
- Michelob, Macintosh, Pacific Bell (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
- Levi's jeans, Jack Daniels (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
- Dom Pérignon (Star Trek Generations)
- Nokia and Budweiser Classic (Star Trek)
- Glenfiddich Scotch (Star Trek Beyond)
Other real products featured in televised Star Trek
- Pyrex (TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data")
- Nike, Inc. (VOY: "Tsunkatse"; ENT: "The Catwalk")
- Twinings (PIC: "Maps and Legends")
- Jameson Irish Whiskey (PIC: "Watcher", "Monsters", "No Win Scenario")
On the other hand and reversely, merchandise from the Star Trek franchise has often been featured in contemporary movie and television productions, most conspicuously in the Star Trek friendly sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which also mentions the franchise on occasion.
Not only that, but Star Trek merchandise even turned up occasionally in Star Trek productions themselves as in-universe products, such as the Star Trek model kits as display models in Berman-era Star Trek productions, followed by those from Eaglemoss Collections' Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection partwork publication in several episodes of Star Trek: Picard, most conspicuously "The Next Generation".