Yes: CGI and other post-production tools can add a brand image to footage that has already been filmed, potentially turning old TV and movie scenes into new advertising space. The idea is called virtual product placement. UK company Mirriad was an early example in a 2021 report, but that historical coverage does not establish what services or platforms are available today.
How virtual product placement works
Traditional product placement is planned during production: a real product, logo or sign is put on set and filmed as part of the scene. Virtual placement works afterward. A company digitally composites branded imagery into the finished footage, so there is no need to reshoot the scene simply to add that image.
The BBC illustrated the approach in 2021 with two stills from a Chinese program: one showed an empty area in the upper-left of the image; the other showed a Coca-Cola advertisement inserted there. The report said placements could be changed weeks, months or years later, making it possible in principle for the same scene to carry a different brand over time. That example demonstrates the concept, not a guarantee that every shot can be altered invisibly, affordably or without affecting the scene. (BBC News, 18 April 2021)
What the technology can—and cannot—do
Reading the scene
Mirriad CEO Stephan Beringer described the system as reading depth, motion and fabric so inserted imagery could be fitted to the shot. He said the goal was for the addition to be difficult for the human eye to notice. That is the company executive’s description of the technology, not an independent performance test. (BBC News, 18 April 2021)
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Coverage by Futurism also described Mirriad’s ability to add products or logos without reshooting and reported that rival Ryff claimed it could tailor placements to individual viewers. Individualized targeting is a distinct proposition from placing one fixed image in a finished scene; the report attributes it to Ryff and does not establish its present availability or scale. (Futurism, 20 April 2021)
Changing an image is not the same as changing the story
A placement has to work with the shot’s perspective, lighting, movement and visual texture. It also has to make sense in the story: a modern brand in a period drama, or a prominent logo in a quiet documentary scene, may be technically possible but feel wrong. The Drum reported that Accenture Song’s work encountered scene-coherence concerns alongside legal, business and country-specific regulatory barriers to scaling dynamic TV placement. (The Drum, 17 May 2022)
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why advertisers and rights holders are interested
For an advertiser, virtual placement offers a way to appear inside a program rather than interrupt it with a conventional ad break. For a rights holder, it could create new inventory from an existing library of films and shows. A library title might also be licensed in different territories or at different times with different placements, if the rights and distribution arrangements permit it.
The scale of the opportunity should not be confused with a current market estimate. The BBC reported that PQ Media valued global product placement across films, TV shows and music videos at $20.6 billion in 2019, with the category’s value up 15% that year. Those are historical figures, not a current market size or growth rate. (BBC News, 18 April 2021)
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Production-side enthusiasm is not evidence of audience response or campaign performance. In 2022, Henrik Bastin, chief executive of Fabel Entertainment and executive producer of Bosch: Legacy, called virtual placement a “game-changer” because producers could consider brands after a final cut rather than accommodate them during filming. That is a producer’s view of workflow, not proof that audiences welcome placements or that they generate particular sales results. (TechCrunch, 17 May 2022)
Who gets to approve a retroactive placement?
The ability to edit an image does not grant the right to edit or distribute the underlying work. A placement can depend on who controls the footage, which territories and distribution rights apply, whether existing contracts or talent obligations constrain advertising, and who has approval over creative changes. Local advertising rules may also matter. The BBC reported questions about copyright and artistic integrity; The Drum described rights and stakeholder balance as practical barriers in TV. (BBC News, 18 April 2021; The Drum, 17 May 2022)
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Amazon Studios’ production guidance offers a specific example of how approvals can work for covered Amazon/MGM productions and placements: it calls for advance approval from creative, production, legal and promotions or partnerships stakeholders, legal review, and placement documentation in a tracker. It also says a placement cannot take creative control away from the studio and limits endorsement obligations. These are requirements for the productions covered by that guidance, not universal rules for every film or platform. (Amazon Studios, Production guidance)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can a placement change the way a classic film is experienced?
Yes. The same edit that creates new advertising space can change the visual character of a work. Film critic Anne Billson, quoted by the BBC, questioned the legal basis for digitally reworking copyrighted films and whether advertisers would need to buy a film before altering it. Her concern points to two separate issues: permission to modify the footage and whether the change respects the original work.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
An insertion can also be distracting even when it is technically convincing. A brand may be out of period, clash with a character or location, or draw attention away from a scene. Documentary footage raises a particular editorial concern: adding a commercial image to a historical or factual scene could affect how viewers interpret what was actually present when it was filmed. Rights-holder consent alone does not resolve whether a change is appropriate for a work’s meaning or audience.
What has been announced, and what is established now?
The market has included more than one effort, but dated announcements and vendor descriptions should not be treated as proof of broad present-day deployment. TechCrunch reported in May 2022 that Amazon’s virtual product placement tool was in beta and that Peacock had announced “In-Scene” ads, both involving post-production digital insertion. TechCrunch also reported results Amazon attributed to an M&M’s placement demonstration; that single reported example is not independent evidence of typical campaign outcomes. (TechCrunch, 17 May 2022)
ReelBlend describes a service using AI and computer vision to place imagery in existing footage, including archive films, and presents a Rocket Eyewear example. Rembrand describes a generative-AI placement service; its post concerns an investment announcement dated June 2023 and was published in December 2024. These are vendor accounts, not independent confirmation of inventory, reach, results or current platform availability. (ReelBlend, For Advertisers; Rembrand, company post)
The practical business model is a service involving advertisers, content owners and rights holders—not a consumer product that viewers can buy. Mirriad was the central company in the 2021 coverage; ReelBlend and Rembrand are later examples of related service providers. Whether any provider can place an ad in a particular title depends on rights, approvals, technical fit and the relevant distribution arrangements.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
