“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” has a major tie-in promotion with professional hockey via a sweepstakes offering a prize as a trip to a big National Hockey League game in Philadelphia. Paramount Pictures will release what is the fourth movie in the “Mission: Impossible” series Dec. 21 and the PG-13 rated actioner stars Tom Cruise. Says an NHL press release: “The … [Read more...] about ‘Mission Impossible’ Links to Hockey
Some ‘Twilight’ Moviegoers Suffer Convulsions
News reports indicate a some incidents occurred where moviegoers go into convulsions during a scene replete with flashing visuals in “Twilight: Breaking Dawn--Part One.” These apparently spontaneous attacks of jitters call to mind publicity stunts for pure horror films in the 1950s that promised over-the-top frights. This week’s episodes with the “Twilight” audience, which … [Read more...] about Some ‘Twilight’ Moviegoers Suffer Convulsions
‘Hunger Games’ Ramps Up Early
Lionsgate is making ABC Television’s “Good Morning America” the platform for the debut of a teaser trailer for its sci-fi action adventure “The Hunger Games,” which is scheduled to hit theaters March 23, 2012. “GMA” is an unusual choice because typically trailers premiere on websites related to movies, social websites, events such as the sci-fi enthusiast Comic-Con … [Read more...] about ‘Hunger Games’ Ramps Up Early
Specialist Film Ad Agencies Merge
The two leading specialist advertising agency businesses that originally assembled detail-intensive newspaper ads are merging their operation into what is called Allied-THA. This enterprise that has 20 regional offices across the United States creates ads with theater play-dates and start-times in the fine print at the bottom of print ads for movies. A press release from … [Read more...] about Specialist Film Ad Agencies Merge
7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
Sci-fi extravaganza “Cowboys & Aliens” has a tie-in with 7-Eleven convenience stores arranged by Universal Pictures, which is scheduled to premiere the PG-13-rated film July 29. The DreamWorks production stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, whose likenesses appear on 7-Eleven beverage cups. “The new Wrist Blaster cup filled with an Alienade Slurpee beverage is modeled … [Read more...] about 7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
‘Cars 2’ Merchandise Bonanza
Cars 2” is already a gusher in licensed merchandise for Walt Disney. The Wall Street Journal newspaper estimates that “Cars 2”—which is the G-rated animated movie opening Friday—will surpass the $2.8 billion merchandise haul of “Toy Story 3.” Ira Mayer, publisher of the “Licensing Letter” and EPM Communications (who is also quoted in the book “Marketing to Moviegoers: Second … [Read more...] about ‘Cars 2’ Merchandise Bonanza
Oscar Best Pix Count to Vary from 5-10
After watering down the Oscars in quest for TV audiences, the motion picture academy reversed some of the damage done two years ago when it expanded the Best Picture category to 10 movies. Yesterday, it set the nominees for Best Picture category to anywhere from 5-10 films, depending on clearing a benchmark in secret votes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences … [Read more...] about Oscar Best Pix Count to Vary from 5-10
Twitter Lifts ‘Super 8’ by $5m?
If tracking surveys are to be believed, Paramount Pictures squeezed another $5 million in boxoffice out of the opening weekend for “Super 8” with its tie-in promotion with Twitter. Not bad and not great either. The youth-oriented sci-fi yarn finished the three-day premiere weekend with $35.5 million (plus another $1 million from Thursday sneak previews arranged by … [Read more...] about Twitter Lifts ‘Super 8’ by $5m?
Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
The "Hangover Part II” is experiencing its own cliffhangers. The tattoo artist who created ex-boxer Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo is suing to block theatrical premiere of “Hangover 2” alleging copyright infringement because the distinctive tattoo appears in the film. The raunchy R-rated comedy is scheduled for Thursday premiere (at midnight) and the “Hollywood Reporter” says … [Read more...] about Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
‘Panda’ Integrates in CityVille Game
DreamWorks Animation placed “Kung Fu Panda 2” in an integration with the CityVille social game that is popular on Facebook, as the animation film company becomes more entwined with social media. Paramount Pictures premieres animated film “Kung Fu Panda 2” on next Thursday for DreamWorks Animation. “Last month, (CityVille’s parent) Zynga added Jeffrey Katzenberg, … [Read more...] about ‘Panda’ Integrates in CityVille Game