I used to really like those clever Old Spice commercials until everyone wouldn’t shut up about them. Now I don’t like them as much. Same goes for Family Guy.

Product placement and innovative advertising has become the name of the game for the merchants of the world to peddle their wares. And when the Minnesota Twins opened their brand new Target Field Monday, the opportunity to generate buzz was rife. So they did.

“Bullseye,” Target’s canine-mascot, was placed in a $275 front-row seat for Opening Day, red paint around his eye and everything. (Is that animal cruelty? I can’t decide. Either way, watch out, Target. PETA might get pissed and burn that mother down.)

Unfortunately, the dog only lasted through half of the first inning, stifling my urge to spend 8 to 12 percent more on identical products I could get at Wal-Mart.

The Milwaukee Brewers tried the same thing over the weekend by positioning a bunch of fat, drunken Miller brewmasters behind the plate. Unfortunately, no one noticed the difference.