Notes from the media landscape: Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey bring on the brands

Brands are about to get in on the circus act. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have signed New York-based Mediaplace to drum up brands to include in circus acts. This is part of a reinvention of the century-old formula that will now see digital screens and cameras to increase audience interactivity. In the deals to come, brands may actually be worked into scripts and products featured in acts. Possible venues for brand integration include a pizza delivery skit involving clowns and another that has a heavy vehicle driven over the strongman. Circus touring groups reach 6.3 million in the U.S.