An anti-smoking advocacy group asserts that audience impressions of characters using tobacco products doubled from 2010 to 2012 in youth-oriented films, “returning to levels of a decade ago.” That’s the upshot from Legacy, a Washington D.C.-based organization funded by tobacco companies in settlements over litigation with government agencies. The Legacy analysis multiplies … [Read more...] about Advocacy Group Rips On-screen Smoking
Regal Circuit Runs ‘Iron Man’ Marathon
Regal Entertainment books a one-day theatrical rerelease of three “Iron Man”-related movies in advance of “Iron Man 3,” which premieres nationally May 3. The three-film rerelease occurs Thursday May 2 for “Iron Man”, “Iron Man 2” and “The Avengers 3D.” The following day, “Iron Man 3” premieres nationally from Walt Disney Studios. Regal, which is the nation’s largest … [Read more...] about Regal Circuit Runs ‘Iron Man’ Marathon
Soaring Blimp Promotes ‘Despicable Me 2’
Universal Pictures is mounting a national tour of an airborne blimp to promote summer film “Despicable Me 2.” The balloon-like aircraft is being called—no surprise here—the “Despicablimp” from media marketing outfit Van Wagner Communications. The blimp already hovered over the Los Angeles site of cable TV network Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award last week. “By enabling a new … [Read more...] about Soaring Blimp Promotes ‘Despicable Me 2’
Mainstream Films to Screen in Spanish
A mainstream theater circuit, Digital Cinema Destinations (known as Digiplex), will screen major-studio films in Spanish language, in a bid to tap the growing Hispanic demographic in the U.S. The effort will start with Spanish language tracks for some showing of Paramount’s “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” on April 1, 8 and 15; Universal’s “Oblivion” on April 22 and 29; Disney’s … [Read more...] about Mainstream Films to Screen in Spanish
Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
With the Oscar telecast tomorrow, let’s look at some of the many marketers that attach themselves to the awards without an official affiliation. “This year’s Oscar Celebrity Gifting Suite will be held at an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills,” says an enthusiastic press release for Inance skin care products. “Many celebrities have been waiting for this chance to sample … [Read more...] about Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
Sponsors Embrace Brash Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards cloaks itself with the aura of a maverick and virtue but is not shy about embracing the luxury side of corporate America. The independent-film awards counts as main sponsors luxury wristwatch Piaget, Jameson Irish Whisky, upmarket Lincoln automobiles, T-Mobile cell phones and indie film TV channel IFC for its Saturday awards, which come one day … [Read more...] about Sponsors Embrace Brash Spirit Awards
Lionsgate Consolidates Ads at Mindshare
Lionsgate consolidated its estimated $400 million domestic film advertising account with WPP’s Mindshare media buying agency, which handled Summit Entertainment that Lionsgate acquired a year ago. Interpublic’s Initiative unit—which bought adverising for Lionsgate pre-merger—is dropped. The assignment covers theatrical and home video ad spending. Kantar Media puts … [Read more...] about Lionsgate Consolidates Ads at Mindshare
Digital Projection Eclipses Mechanical In Theaters
In 2012, mechanical film projectors were supplanted by digital electronic projection equipment in movie theaters worldwide, according to researcher IHS Screen Digest. The researcher estimates 43,796 2-D digital electronic screens in 2012, 45,545 3D digital screens and 5,500 E-cinema screens in 2012. In contrast, there were just 35,087 mechanical projectors in 2012, down from … [Read more...] about Digital Projection Eclipses Mechanical In Theaters
Sundance Sponsor Nabs Fest Screening
A corporate sponsor at the Sundance Film Festival created content that unspools in a sidebar of the fest, in a bid to escape the NASCAR-like clutter of overt promotions, notes a Variety story. The Captain Morgan brand of rum, which is part of the Diageo spirits conglomerate, received choice placement for its 30-minute documentary showing at Sundance titled “The Unsinkable … [Read more...] about Sundance Sponsor Nabs Fest Screening
Oscar TV Ad Sales Sizzle
Advertising sales for the Feb. 24 Oscar telecast are brisk, according to trade newspaper Advertising Age, which attributes strong demand comparison to recession-depressed rates in the past year and a belief a revamp this year will pull viewers. The performance of the Oscar telecast is of keen interest to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) because it … [Read more...] about Oscar TV Ad Sales Sizzle