Some movie marketing pros think that I’ve gone daft when I suggest that a movie being a hit in social media doesn't necessarily translate into to being a hit in cinema release. Now a research firm serves up an example. Social media research firm Attensity notes that the movie “Rock of Ages” was embraced by consumers in social media prior to its theatrical release, which … [Read more...] about ‘Rock of Ages’ Soars Online, Stumbles at BO
digital marketing
‘The Grey’ Trailer Quotes Tweeters
Variety spotted what might be a first in movie marketing: a trailer presenting on-screen text slides of comments from Twitter about Open Road Film’s thriller trailer “The Grey.” The comments are from film critics and bloggers who saw the film in a private industry screening. Marketing materials usually excerpt from published comments of professional movie critics. “The … [Read more...] about ‘The Grey’ Trailer Quotes Tweeters
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?
‘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
‘African Cats’ Builds Wildlife Promotions
Walt Disney Studios serves up lots of web links in a press release for “African Cats,” its documentary set for April 22 theatrical release. A portion of box office will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), which makes AWF a promotional partner. There’s the obligatory Facebook page and a website to “pledge” to see the movie. Another ticket commerce … [Read more...] about ‘African Cats’ Builds Wildlife Promotions
‘Source Code’ Arm-twists Journalist
A journalist for news website TechCrunch, which is owned by AOL, went public with an internal request sent by AOL asking that the journalist's article “tone down” a “snarky tone” about the Summit Entertainment film “The Source Code,” which is scheduled to premiere April 1. Alexia Tsotsis posted an inter-company memo from an AOL executive (AOL also owns MovieFone) complaining … [Read more...] about ‘Source Code’ Arm-twists Journalist
Oscars Present Two TV Screens
ABC Television has built a website to present behind-the-scenes activity at the Oscars awards www.oscar.com/all-access, which attempts to keep viewers glued to its screens…whether TV or computer. “Trying to exploit viewers’ two-screen behavior, the television network has built a companion Web site with behind-the-scenes video streams, so Oscar winners will be seen accepting … [Read more...] about Oscars Present Two TV Screens
Digital No Panacea for Spiraling Costs
The more things change in theatrical film marketing—think social marketing, Twitter buzz and mobile-phones—the more they remain the same? “Marketing costs for movies will continue to rise,” says Rob Friedman, co-chairman/CEO of Summit Entertainment, the movie studio behind the powerful “Twilight” young-adult super-natural drama series, which has pulled in $1.6 billion in … [Read more...] about Digital No Panacea for Spiraling Costs
New Media Alone Can’t Open Films
Pundits sing the praises of relying on digital media to market theatrical films and Walt Disney Studios just hired a new media guru who designed digital-media-only marketing campaigns for corporate clients. But experience has proven to date it’s suicidal to diminish or downplay ad spending in key traditional media of TV. “Few films have become hits in the US based on digital … [Read more...] about New Media Alone Can’t Open Films
Age-restricted ‘Kick-Ass’ Trailer Leaks
Independent film distributors tend to push the decency envelope and a “New York Times” articles says that’s just what’s happening with Lions Gate Films’ audience-restricted trailer for R-rated “Kick-Ass.” “A trailer for the forthcoming film ‘Kick-Ass’ that depicts (a 11-year-old girl character named Hit Girl) wielding a gun and using highly, highly profane … [Read more...] about Age-restricted ‘Kick-Ass’ Trailer Leaks