Is Visa in Cahoots With ‘Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium’ or Sheer Coincidence?

This is either a case of subliminal product placement, sheer coincidence or unadulterated thievery.


“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”
Photo courtesy of IMDb
What does the “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” film trailer have in common with Visa’s new, happy-go-lucky “juggling” commerical?

1) They use Danny Elfman’s “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” theme.
2) They’re both set in similiar toy stores.


Visa’s currently running “juggling” advertisement.
Screenshot created by Adam Fendelman from Visa’s TV spot
It’s possible that creative folks from two starkly different groups imagined up similiar campaigns using precisely the same song. It’s possible they were designed to go public at the same time completely unacquainted with what was in the works at the other camp.

Of course, it’s also certainly possible this isn’t a coincidence at all. Time will tell. See the movie trailer here. See the Visa ad here (scroll down to the “View ‘Juggling’ TV Commercial” link).

The Walden Media and Mandate Pictures co-production starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman and written and directed by Zach Helm opens on Nov. 6.