Movie theaters have their loyalty/rewards programs and so little surprise that tech giant Microsoft offers a rewards program whose prizes include permanent digital copies of movies. The Microsoft Rewards initiative recently blasted an ezine to consumers offering (pictured above) 2024’s “BeetleJuice BeetleJuice,” the 1939 version of “Wizard of Oz” and 2021’s “Dune,” as well … [Read more...] about Microsoft Wants to Reward You!
digital marketing
Art Forgery: Kevin James Goes Undercover
Comedian Kevin James promotes his romantic comedy film “Solo Mio” as an unrelated character in online videos without identifying himself or the movie. James dropped videos on social media weeks ago presenting himself as art teacher Matt Taylor delivering earnest learning tips. The publicity ploy garnered growing attention from celebrity news outlets over time. The Parade … [Read more...] about Art Forgery: Kevin James Goes Undercover
Instagram Adopts Filmdom’s PG-13 Rating
Instagram will police content for ages 18 and under using Hollywood’s PG-13-rating standard, as the website is under regulatory and legal pressure over child protection. Implementing the off-the-shelf PG-13 standard (image above), which is proven in decades of cinema use, aims to blunt complaints that Instagram makes it too easy for sex predators to connect with teens and for … [Read more...] about Instagram Adopts Filmdom’s PG-13 Rating
‘F1’ Film Trailer Smacks iPhones
The Apple trailer for its “F1: The Movie” makes its iPhones vibrate, in a new wrinkle. The author experienced the trailer that physically rattles an iPhone, finding the “haptic” accompaniment is a little gimmicky (haptic means multi-sensory experience). “In the two-minute trailer, whenever an F1 car is in motion on the screen, your iPhone will vibrate with an intensity … [Read more...] about ‘F1’ Film Trailer Smacks iPhones
Arty-Film Website Letterboxd Blossoms
An influential social-media website for arthouse aficionados, Letterboxd, is hitting its stride, reaching 17 million active members with accounts at end of last year. “In 2024, those members wrote 96.4 million reviews, marked 701 million films watched, and made 6.8 million lists, a popular feature,” a Letterboxd press release says. Fans are scattered for upmarket films, … [Read more...] about Arty-Film Website Letterboxd Blossoms
Hollywood Absorbs Election Marketing Tips
For Hollywood, lessons can be learned from the digital media strategy of the Donald Trump presidential campaign. That strategy is credited for powering his substantial election win, and it’s instructive to compare to the opposite approach of his opponent. “But while both campaigns worked overtime to court influencers, their strategies were divergent,” writes Taylor Lorenz in … [Read more...] about Hollywood Absorbs Election Marketing Tips
Offbeat Influencers Intrigue Publicists
Hollywood publicists invite fringe influencers to premieres and other PR events, apparently to tap their digital media followers who don’t frequent traditional media. There is a debate about the value of bringing unconventional media personalities inside the film-marketing tent. For example, in May, Disney’s 20th Century Fox picked up travel expenses for influencer Easton … [Read more...] about Offbeat Influencers Intrigue Publicists
‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
Presidential biographic drama “Reagan” is courting conservative audience segments as it heads to an Aug. 30 domestic theatrical premiere, after finding liberal-leaning media is trying to stifle its marketing. Showbiz Direct is distributing the PG-13-rated movie that reportedly cost $25 million to make and stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. “Quaid told Joe Rogan on his … [Read more...] about ‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
Romantic comedy “It Ends With Us” is headed for a relatively big cinema premiere Friday, helped by buzz from its star-laden premiere. “It Ends,” whose star Blake Lively was catalyst for extensive media coverage of its premiere, is a PG-13 rom-com from Sony Pictures Releasing. The film is based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. The gala Aug. 6 premiere at the … [Read more...] about Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
YouTube Film Critic Makes Movie
A prominent YouTube critic has parlayed his online celebrity into crowd-funding a horror film that he directed and wrote, which received a prestigious fest play. Then, it was acquired by hot indie distribution Neon. Chris Stuckman, who amassed a staggering 2 million YouTube followers over 13 years for his film reviews/commentaries, is the director of supernatural drama … [Read more...] about YouTube Film Critic Makes Movie