The two leading specialist advertising agency businesses that originally assembled detail-intensive newspaper ads are merging their operation into what is called Allied-THA. This enterprise that has 20 regional offices across the United States creates ads with theater play-dates and start-times in the fine print at the bottom of print ads for movies. A press release from … [Read more...] about Specialist Film Ad Agencies Merge
promotion
7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
Sci-fi extravaganza “Cowboys & Aliens” has a tie-in with 7-Eleven convenience stores arranged by Universal Pictures, which is scheduled to premiere the PG-13-rated film July 29. The DreamWorks production stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, whose likenesses appear on 7-Eleven beverage cups. “The new Wrist Blaster cup filled with an Alienade Slurpee beverage is modeled … [Read more...] about 7-Eleven Rides ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
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
Product-placement Movie Piles On Satire
Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” is getting a lot of publicity heat and was well received at the Sundance Film Festival in January, but the premise kind of leaves me cold. I also will be interested to see if box office is strong or weak for a film that playfully delves into the behind-the-scenes world of placement of brand name products in films. … [Read more...] about Product-placement Movie Piles On Satire
‘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
Maserati Tours Film-TV Screens
Maserati cars are getting screen time in films and TV shows by being quick to say yes when Hollywood calls. The high-end Italian car maker—which is known for sports car but also makes a nifty sedan—handles Hollywood contacts directly. It resume placements after dropping an outside product placement agency as a middleman in 2008, says a “Hollywood Reporter” article by Daniel … [Read more...] about Maserati Tours Film-TV Screens
Audi Reigns in Car Placements
German carmaker Audi is “the” major force in produce placement in Hollywood among luxury brands with gambits ranging from have Audis prominent in movies like “Iron Man” to a fleet of Audis transporting attendees to film events that are seen in press coverage. Says a “Variety” article by Marc Graser, “In fact, Audi has spent the past three years essentially taking over … [Read more...] about Audi Reigns in Car Placements
Comic-Con Buzz Not a Sure-fire Indicator
The mammoth annual Comic-Con International gathering of sci-fi aficionados in San Diego is treated as a sure-fire barometer for later reception in cinemas. But a “New York Times “article takes a fun--and realistic--view of movie marketing opportunities. “The four-day convention, which begins on July 22, will be host to what has become an obligatory parade of filmmakers and … [Read more...] about Comic-Con Buzz Not a Sure-fire Indicator
LG Phone Looks Smart in ‘Iron Man 2’
LG Electronics shows off a smart phone of the future in “Iron Man 2.” Robert Downey Jr. whips out his pesonal phone in the film that impressively projects data and navigation controls on a “desktop” floating on thin air! “Throughout the movie, the device morphs according to situation and function, enabling (character Tony) Stark (Downey) to control his TV, lock his home … [Read more...] about LG Phone Looks Smart in ‘Iron Man 2’