A cover story in business magazine Fortune says Walt Disney Co. is becoming a hybrid entertainment/tech company and splashes images from the next “Star Wars” around corporate chairman Bob Iger. A Variety” story says the photos in the Fortune profile provide the best shots yet for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which is inked for a Dec.18 premiere distributed by Walt Disney … [Read more...] about ‘Star Wars’ Hardware Shines In Disney Profile
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Academics Try to Dissect Film Critic Biases
Two college doctoral candidates in France attempt to quantify biases of U.S. film critics in their college thesis paper, which left “New York Post” newspaper critic Kyle Smith amused. Toulouse School of Economics Ph.D. candidates Fanny Camara and Nicolas Dupuis dissect tendencies of movie critics in their paper “Structural Estimation of Expert Strategic Bias: The Case of … [Read more...] about Academics Try to Dissect Film Critic Biases
Dissecting ‘Birdman’ Publicity Campaign
Fox Searchlight pushed a particularly ambitious and early starting publicity campaign for ”Birdman” knowing the cast of the off-beat drama would not be available later. Cast members would be tied down filming other movies. Michael Keaton stars as a washed-up former movie super-hero trying to revive his career with a stage play. The $18 million film, which is getting good … [Read more...] about Dissecting ‘Birdman’ Publicity Campaign
Huckster Antics Dull Stars
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
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
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
Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
The Weinstein Co. bashes in a “New York Times” advertisement a professional film critic who pans its drama film “Philomena,” which triggered a battle in the press. Film distributor TWC urges readers to see the movie to “Decide For Yourself.” In a lengthy opinion article today, New York Post critic Kyle Smith defends his review. “I found the film lazy, contrived, with a … [Read more...] about Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
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
Film School Dreams Versus Job-Market Realities
I’ve always been amused—and somewhat dismayed—that film schools are so production- and history-centric in their curricula. Web pages and brochures use photos of earnest young people peering through camera lenses—often presenting lads who are reminiscent of young Spielbergs! It strikes me as more dream than reality, because production jobs that are pictured are scarce. And … [Read more...] about Film School Dreams Versus Job-Market Realities
Marketing Exec Tops Mo-Pix Academy
The motion picture academy elected a marketing executive as its president, who is only the second consumer-focused executive to run the organization that has conferred the Oscars since 1927. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) chose as its president veteran publicity executive Cheryl Boone Isaacs -- who headed the academys public relations branch. She is … [Read more...] about Marketing Exec Tops Mo-Pix Academy