In time for this month's release of the new Harry Potter movie (Tuesday) and book (next week), Jelly Belly launched its new sausage and pickle flavors in the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans line. Meanwhile, last week, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon's Kwik-E-Mart came to life in 12 locations in North America to promote the July 27 release of "The Simpson's Movie." Both of these, of course, are fictional things brought into the real world. Marketers call the concept "reverse product placement."


They're life imitating art. They blur the line between reality and fiction, and at the same time make even the most mundane experiences–like getting some cash at a 7-Eleven–almost like a visit to the theme park.
But here's what I wonder: Is this blurring of the line between reality and fiction a good thing? At some point, will we start to expect some sort of entertainment at every turn, else the entire experience feel lacking?
Read my latest post on The Huffington Post.