The toy industry expects an extraordinary lift from film-related licensed merchandise this year. Trade show Toy Fair, which ended in New York this week, generated lots of buzz for movie-related toys from journalists and film fans (the polished Stormtroopers screengrab above from YouTube about Toy Fair is by a New Zealand couple who are “Star Wars” aficionados). The … [Read more...] about Film Merchandise Wows Toy Fair
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Microsoft Wants to Reward You!
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!
‘Wicked’ Merch Casts Magical Spell
“Wicked” was a surprise theatrical boxoffice hit last year, so Universal Pictures is ready with a licensed-merchandise extravaganza for sequel “Wicked: For Good.” Some 300 movie-themed items are licensed by Universal Products & Experiences, including two models of singing toy dolls from Mattel. Universal hopes that the movie about a wizard, witches and a mythical land … [Read more...] about ‘Wicked’ Merch Casts Magical Spell
Experiential Adaptations Tout Filmdom
Movie properties are being transplanted into other venues, for fun and profit. Beloved 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” is being staged in an immersive experience at the mammoth Las Vegas Sphere arena (screen grab pictured above of a promotional image). Also, Netflix is soon launching Netflix House, which is envisioned as a retail chain of permanent physical entertainment … [Read more...] about Experiential Adaptations Tout Filmdom
‘Lilo’ Propelled by Merchandise Boom
Walt Disney Studios bet that live-action kids film “Lilo & Stitch,” which opened to blockbuster boxoffice, was worth a remake. The original generates a billion dollars a year in licensed merchandise sales stemming from the 2002 all-animated film of the same name. “Last year alone, 'Lilo & Stitch' consumer products generated an estimated $2.5 billion-plus, … [Read more...] about ‘Lilo’ Propelled by Merchandise Boom
Website Anchors Indiana Jones Vid Game
A major video game built around the “Indiana Jones” movies aims to cash in as licensed merchandise and keep the film franchise alive in hearts of consumers. Video game “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” is from Bethesda MachineGames, which is owned by Xbox maker Microsoft. It's built on the film legacy of the five Indy Jones adventure motion pictures distributed by … [Read more...] about Website Anchors Indiana Jones Vid Game
Movie Music Drives Concert Tour
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer conducts a multinational tour playing movie music in orchestral majesty, in what is a “service” type of film licensed merchandise. Hans Zimmer Live is scheduled to perform in 17 U.S. and Canadian cities by end-tour in October, after starting in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The music is from movies “The Dark Knight,” “Dune,” … [Read more...] about Movie Music Drives Concert Tour
Tribeca Offers Perks Program
The glitzy Tribeca Festival rolls out a membership program offering events perks, special merchandise offers and benefits from sponsors. Membership costs $100 a year, reflecting that flat-fee subscriptions offerings in media continue to multiply. It’s a type of loyalty program from the fest’s parent, Tribeca Enterprise. “Tribeca Membership offers year-round access to … [Read more...] about Tribeca Offers Perks Program
Netflix Embraces Cinema-Style Merchandise
Netflix is a video streamer not particularly interested in cinema release of its original films, but embraces a theatrical-style approach to licensed merchandise. For its biographical drama “Maestro,” Netflix offers a 288-page, photo-driven coffee-table book about the Making Of the streaming film about conductor Leonard Bernstein. The book “Maestro” provides a … [Read more...] about Netflix Embraces Cinema-Style Merchandise
‘Priscilla’ Spawns Elvis-era Cosmetics
A $49 woman’s makeup kit from the movie “Priscilla” allows fans to wear their own “winged eye” look made famous by the wife of Elvis Presley. This film-licensed cosmetics merchandise is making a publicity splash. The publicity is the viral type as fans go online with tutorials and commentaries about the Priscilla x Half Magic cosmetic product and the source movie. There are … [Read more...] about ‘Priscilla’ Spawns Elvis-era Cosmetics