Verbal product placement is a growing part of brand visibility in entertainment, and animated series like The Simpsons continue to reflect this trend with frequent brand mentions. These references can range from casual nods to pointed jokes—some flattering, others not so much.
That’s why it’s important for companies to monitor how their brand or product is being used in dialogue. Verbal mentions are not always positive, and without proper tracking, brands may miss out on key opportunities—or find themselves the subject of unexpected commentary.
Season 36 of The Simpsons includes a wide range of verbal product placements, from health brands and cryptocurrencies to snacks, streaming platforms, and ride-share apps. Each mention provides insight into how pop culture uses brands to connect with its audience, for better or worse.
The examples below show how verbal product placement continues to shape modern storytelling—and why brands should be listening closely.
S36E13 “The Last Man Expanding” – The Brandstorm Begins
Homer gets bold with a joke that name-drops Viagra (Pfizer)—classic Simpsons edge.
Lisa compares SoulCycle (Equinox Holdings) to the Church of Cardio—cue the sweat and satire.
Marge’s medicine cabinet spills the beans with shoutouts to NyQuil (Procter & Gamble) and Sudafed (Johnson & Johnson).
Springfield gets fintech-savvy—Venmo (PayPal), Zelle (Early Warning Services), and Cash App (Block, Inc.) all get name-checked.
Crypto mania invades the show—Bitcoin (Decentralized) and Ethereum (Ethereum Foundation) earn a mention in Homer’s digital disaster.
Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) shows up in a moment of weight-loss whimsy.
S36E14 “P.S. I Hate You” – The Roast of Real Life Brands
Botox (AbbVie) gets a wrinkle-free roast as characters chase eternal youth.
A rapid-fire ending scene slings zingers at TGI Fridays (TriArtisan Capital Advisors), Sunglass Hut (EssilorLuxottica), and Quiznos (Rego Restaurant Group).
S36E14 “The Past and the Furious” – Nostalgia and Nachos
TGI Fridays (TriArtisan Capital Advisors) gets a second cameo—this time with a retro twist.
S36E17 “Full Heart, Empty Pool” – Streaming and Soda
Bart gets hyped up on Mountain Dew (PepsiCo)—what could possibly go wrong?
Lisa explores the world of newsletters via Substack (Independent)—because diaries are so last season.
S36E18 “Abe League of Their Moe” – Rated R and Reviewed
IMDb (Amazon) gets name-dropped as characters argue over star ratings.
A surprising—and slightly awkward—Trojan Condoms (Church & Dwight) reference pops up mid-convo.
S36E19 “Stew Lies” – Music and Mileage
Moe brags about his tires—name-dropping Continental Tire (Continental AG) in the process.
Lisa gets her music groove on via SoundCloud (SoundCloud Ltd.)—indie vibes all the way.
S36E21 “Estranger Things” – 80s Vibes and Snack Time
Twinkies (Hostess Brands) get a nostalgic nod in a Stranger Things-inspired parody.
Bart dreams of chaos, Grand Theft Auto (Rockstar Games / Take-Two Interactive)-style—just another day in Springfield.