Staples shredder to make "Office" debut

Just over a year after a star turn in "The Apprentice," office retailer Staples Inc. is gearing up for a prime-time TV encore.

According to the Framingham-based company, its new Staples MailMate junk-mail shredder has been cast in a supporting role in the Nov. 16 episode of the NBC sitcom "The Office."

This is no mere product placement, said Staples vice president Todd Peters; the shredder, which is billed as a defense weapon against identity theft, has been "integrated into the story line."

Peters will say little more because he doesn't want to give the plot away before the episode airs.

This isn't Staples' TV debut. Last year, contestants on "The Apprentice," also an NBC show, were given the task of inventing an office product that would clear up the clutter on the desk of host Donald Trump.

As digital video recorders such as TiVo gain popularity, many consumers have become adept at watching a TV show while skipping its commercials.

That's the beauty of having the MailMate woven into the plot of the "Office" episode.

"This TiVo-proofs our advertising," Peters said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)