It's official! People research online and buy off line. And, Amazon is trying to change this mentality.

The online retailing giant from Seattle unveiled Amazon Theater, a collection of five short films starring Minnie Driver, Chris Noth, Daryl Hannah and other well-known actors. Over the next five weeks, the short films -- including an original work from the director of "Top Gun" and "Enemy of the State" -- will debut on the company's Web site.
At the end of each film, Amazon.com shoppers can click on a link in the credits to buy products that characters wore or used.

Amazon.com calls the theater series a "free holiday gift" to its 44 million customers. But retail and advertising experts say it is another way for Amazon.com to differentiate itself amid increasing competition.

Luring people to Amazon.com this holiday season will be important as the number of online shoppers increases.

According to a recent report from JupiterResearch Eighty-six million U.S. residents are expected to buy more than $20 billion in goods over the Internet in November and December, an increase of more than 17 percent over the same period last year.

The campaign was created by Fallon and Hollywood production company RSA USA. It's the next entry in the soon to be long line of subtlety marketing.

It's certainly a very intersting tactic to softsell your products!