Re: Robert? Can I use actual trade names in my story?
Actually, there is. They pay movie producers millions for placement in movies. But you gotta be highly visible. For instance, if Stephen King or Scott Turow approached an advertiser and said, "How much you pay me to mention Pepsi Cola..." the advertiser would probably name a tidy sum.
Now, If I approached them, they'd probably give themselves a hernia laughing. Which I WOULD remember after becoming a best selling author and would then push their competitor for free. :)