The company behind “Blade Runner 2049” is suing French automaker Peugeot alleging it reneged on a big tie-in promotion with the sci-fi movie from 2017. Alcon Entertainment filed the legal action asserting that Peugeot failed to perform on paying a promised $500,000 cash fee and accompanying advertising support of $30 million. The complaint said that another unidentified … [Read more...] about Carmaker Flakes Out on ‘Blade Runner’
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Pepsi investment in ‘Uncle Drew’ pays off
Soft drink marketer Pepsi seems to have hit the jackpot producing urban basketball comedy-yarn movie “Uncle Drew,” which cracked the top 10 grossers in two consecutive weekends and rolled up a respectable $30 million in domestic box office June 29-July 8. That’s for a movie, which is distributed by Lionsgate, costing only about $20 million to produce -- cheap by major-studio … [Read more...] about Pepsi investment in ‘Uncle Drew’ pays off
‘Deadpool 2’ Humor Shines in 7-Eleven promo
20th Century Fox's "Deadpool 2" mounts a fun, bouncy tie-in promotion with the 7-Eleven convenience stores -- which number 9,700 in the United States and Canada. I saw a humorous in-cinema advertisement where the "Deadpool" character interacts with 7-Eleven cashiers in a mischievous, droll manner. The store chain wants customers to use their 7-Eleven rewards apps (if not … [Read more...] about ‘Deadpool 2’ Humor Shines in 7-Eleven promo
Facebook Conversations Get Fandango Movie Plugs
You knew this was going to happen eventually. Facebook is using artificial intelligence to identify conversations about current movies to drop in paid commercial messaging for Fandango, the movie ticketing service. The messaging will include local playdates and pricing inserted in Facebook Messenger. "It ís totally convenient! Or completely creepy," muses an article in … [Read more...] about Facebook Conversations Get Fandango Movie Plugs
Streep Dress Flap at Oscars
Attention shoppers: Catfight in aisle 12! Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld sniped at Meryl Streep for backing out of an alleged deal to wear one of his gowns to the Oscars, claiming he learned another designer paid her to strut the red carpet in another outfit. The 20-times Oscar nominated actress Streep huffed it wasn't true. And later Lagerfeld back off saying it was a … [Read more...] about Streep Dress Flap at Oscars
Warner Corals its TV Shows for ‘Batman Lego’ Flick
Hollywood's biggest movie studio, Warner Bros. marshaled various non-theatrical assets to support theatrical premiere of “The Lego Batman Movie,” flexing corporate synergy with media siblings. “The toy brick DC superhero got a shout-out during hit series ‘The Big Bang Theory’ with a special ‘Lego Batman’ opening, and two ‘Big Bang/LEGO Batman’ promo … [Read more...] about Warner Corals its TV Shows for ‘Batman Lego’ Flick
‘Emoji’ Movie Claims First Cell-phone Trailer
I’m always on the look-out for movie marketing firsts, and here Sony Pictures claims one. Sony Pictures rolled out what it asserts is the “world's first-ever vertical movie trailer designed especially for mobile users” for animated “The Emoji Movie.” The not-yet-rated “Emoji Movie” is scheduled for domestic theatrical premiere Aug. 4, 2017, so this is a long-lead marketing … [Read more...] about ‘Emoji’ Movie Claims First Cell-phone Trailer
Product-Placement Guru Recounts Evolution
Product placement veteran Brad Brown recalls the obstacles and patchy nature of product placements in movies and TV shows from past decades in a BrandChannel.com profile. Brown, who is quoted in all three “Marketing to Moviegoer” books, placed Pepsi soda in movies ranging from early Tom Hanks hit “Big” (a Pepsi vending machine is prominent in the lead character’s memorable … [Read more...] about Product-Placement Guru Recounts Evolution
‘Avatar’ Ecosystem To Help Drive Sequels
Filmmaker Jim Cameron is laying the groundwork for sequels to 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.” New York City-based SapientNitro will create an Avatar “ecosystem” in pre-release marketing to warm up audiences for theatrical sequels distributed by 20th Century Fox. “Publicis Groupe agency SapientNitro has entered into a multiyear deal with James Cameron’s Lightstorm … [Read more...] about ‘Avatar’ Ecosystem To Help Drive Sequels
Reviving ‘Back To Future’ Prod Placements
The “Back to the Future” film series gets a spate of reminiscences including its memorable Pepsi product placement, which slyly promote the three-film franchise from 1985-1990. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is releasing a “Back to the Future” 30th anniversary DVD package on Oct. 20. The second installment of the sci-fi comedy has a futuristic Pepsi beverage (called … [Read more...] about Reviving ‘Back To Future’ Prod Placements