It's unimaginable that Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas or John Wayne would have endorsed a perfume at the height of their careers. But it's a new era where movie stars routinely are pitchmen/women for wrist watches (Leonardo DiCaprio for the Tag Heuer brand), cars (Laurence Fishburne for Kia) and fashion (Nicole Kidman for designer Jimmy Choo). And don't forget the stinky … [Read more...] about Huckster Antics Dull Stars
promotion
Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
A hotel chain in China is suing two product placement brokers claiming foul over a deal with Paramount Pictures release “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” The sci-fi movie will premiere China and in the U.S./Canada June 27. The big-budget fourth installment of the “Transformers” series is rated PG-13 in the U.S. Beijing Pangu Investment Co., which owns a dragon-shaped … [Read more...] about Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
Regal Bundles VOD with ‘Transformers’
Regal Cinemas is offering two digital download-to-own movies to own for an extra $15 for patrons to “Transformers: Age of Extinction” at its theaters. What is the fourth “Transformers” sci-fi yarn will premiere June 24 via Paramount Pictures (the $15 VOD offer ends July 10). “For only $15 more (on top of a regular cinema ticket), guests get a Super Ticket including two … [Read more...] about Regal Bundles VOD with ‘Transformers’
Film Apps For ‘Spidey,’ ‘Other Woman’
Food marketer Kellogg’s and a cyberspace fashion commerce company are mounting separate movie apps. Kellogg’s offers a free casual video game for mobile devices tied to “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and fashionista enabler StylePic links to “The Other Woman.” Apps are applications, which are shortcuts to websites that size video and maximize functionality on mobile devices … [Read more...] about Film Apps For ‘Spidey,’ ‘Other Woman’
Fishburne Projects ‘Matrix’ in Kia Commercial
Viewers of Kia car commercials see presenter Laurence Fishburne projecting his character in “The Matrix” movies as he appears in a leather trench coat and sun glasses. But surprisingly, Kia did not license the “Matrix” character, though it did pay Fishburne to be presenter, says the carmaker. A Variety story by Marc Graser notes Kia breaks with the normal approach of car … [Read more...] about Fishburne Projects ‘Matrix’ in Kia Commercial
Tribeca Lands Bank Sponsor, Splits Financial
Boston-based Santander Bank kicks off its first-time sponsorship of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City with a sweepstakes. The “official bank” of the fest, Santander offers prizes of tickets to a private screening and a private reception attended by Robert De Niro. “The Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year who patronize local businesses and … [Read more...] about Tribeca Lands Bank Sponsor, Splits Financial
Branded Briefcase Stars in ‘Mitty’ Poster
The Zero Halliburton luggage company placed one of its briefcases in the film “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and it is even pictured in the movie’s poster. The briefcase that Ben Stiller holds in the “Mitty” movie and poster is a branded model from the luggage manufacturer. The PG-rated “Mitty” movie was underwhelming at the box office for 20th Century Fox with $55 … [Read more...] about Branded Briefcase Stars in ‘Mitty’ Poster
‘Need For Speed’ Showcases Ford Car
The Ford Mustang car gets a starring role in “Need for Speed” with an on-screen product placement before the same 2015 model appears in automobile dealer showrooms in autumn. It’s derived from the 2013 Shelby GT500. The yet-to-be rated movie premieres March 14 from Disney’s Buena Vista Distribution, which markets for the producer DreamWorks Studios. The “Need For Speed” … [Read more...] about ‘Need For Speed’ Showcases Ford Car
High-end Tie-ins Populate Golden Globes
Marketers of high-end goods and services highlight their appearance at yesterday's Golden Globe Awards, where "12 Years a Slave" and "American Hustle" took top honors. The promotion tie-ins and product placements with the Golden Globes or with talent at the awards are hailed in press releases. These include Forevermark diamonds from De Beers and the LoveGold initiative of … [Read more...] about High-end Tie-ins Populate Golden Globes
Ferrell Film Promo Lifts Car Sales
Goofy TV commercials with Will Ferrell as part of a movie tie-in promotion helped lift car sales for Dodge vehicles. Ferrell, in character for his movie "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," is the presenter in real advertising for the 2014 Dodge Durango, whose sales soared 59% in October and up 50% for the year. The Ferrell ads started Oct. 5. This is reminiscent of the … [Read more...] about Ferrell Film Promo Lifts Car Sales