product placement is the very foundation of TV, it's just a little more subtle now. Originally shows were brought to you by XYZ and had an intermission to advertise their products. Radio did this as well.
That is not product placement, per my working definition. Product placement is inserting the advertising into the art, where it is not clearly labeled or discernible as advertising.
On the TV show White Collar, the main character is never, shown driving a car, or talking about them, or having any interest in cars whatsoever. He walks around New York City, or is driven in a government employee's car. Yet, in one of the later seasons, he compliments on specific features of a car he is being driven, and has a dialogue about it with another character.
Extremely jarring for anyone paying attention, and obviously advertising. Product placement is sacrificing some portion of the art in exchange for money (or products/services which otherwise reduces production cost).
