Big Chill Marketing

This week, we explore the use of hit songs in advertising.

There is a theory that Madison Avenue started to use songs in advertising in a big way after the movie "The Big Chill" was released. When advertisers saw the way baby boomers responded to the movie's soundtrack, it opened the floodgates.

Many artists resisted the offers, while others saw the revenue potential, and started to license their songs for the first time. It's been a long and interesting journey: The Beatles sued, Madonna got rich and Bob Seger made a difficult decision to help the auto industry. Today, many new artists now actively search for opportunities to have their music in commercials – because it gives them added visibility and sales.

It's a full circle moment for music and advertising.