The Hollywood strikes by actors and writers undercut movie publicity for new releases — since talent ordinarily publicize their films — and more ominously threaten to push back normal film flow already upended by the pandemic. The actors SAG-AFTRA work stoppage started July 14, which augments the May 2 beginning of the Writers Guild of America walkout. The strikes impact … [Read more...] about Strikes Derail Film Marketing, Cinema Comeback
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Oscars Tighten Campaigning Rules
Rules governing campaigning for Oscar awards were tightened in social media and in other areas this week, but loosened allowing “shortlists” to be promoted. Rules tweaks for the Academy Awards are done annually but this cycle are extensive, particularly after a little-known British actress Andrea Riseborough got nominated last year after waging an aggressive social … [Read more...] about Oscars Tighten Campaigning Rules
Over-the-top Oscar Awards Campaigns
Over the years, campaigns seeking Oscar awards aimed at Hollywood insiders have prayed to the Academy Award gods from the Alamo fortress and hosted a pop-up street stand in Hollywood hosted by a celebrated filmmaker who chatted up passers-by. And an actress personally wrote letters to every Academy Awards voter that she could find. A Hollywood Reporter feature story by Scott … [Read more...] about Over-the-top Oscar Awards Campaigns
Agent 007 Anchors Pinball Machine
The James Bond spy-thriller property and its most famous Agent 007, Sean Connery, anchor a mechanical pinball machine in limited quantities. Chicago-based Stern Pinball launches its James Bond 007 series of hardware priced at three tiers for $6,999 to $12,999. “Stern’s James Bond 007 cornerstone pinball machine,” says a press release, “highlights film footage and iconic … [Read more...] about Agent 007 Anchors Pinball Machine
A Hollywood Life ‘Flirting With Fame’
After decades as a Hollywood press agent, Dan Harary finds publicity an unpredictable art and he also observes a changing nature of “celebrity.” In his memoir book “Flirting With Fame,” Harary recounts doing publicity for a behind-the-scenes special effects craft worker Bob Short connected to a strange horror/comedy film with uncertain prospects. Surprisingly, Short generate … [Read more...] about A Hollywood Life ‘Flirting With Fame’
Analyzing DC FanDome Marketing Event
A immersive online event that Warner Bros. tailors for consumers revealed the newest trailer for “The Batman” and brought news that a third “Wonder Women” live-action movies is in the works. Those are are among tidbits surfacing at the DC FanDome online event Saturday. The “DC” refers to Warner corporate sibling DC Comics. Here’s a marketer’s review of DC FanDome that … [Read more...] about Analyzing DC FanDome Marketing Event
AMC Unspools Surprise $25m Ad Campaign
AMC Theatres launches a $25 million-plus marketing campaign with Nicole Kidman as star presenter this week to encourage a return to moviegoing amid the pandemic. The key copyline is “AMC Theatres. We Make Movies Better" in what is an advocacy and brand-building exercise. The campaign is a surprise because cinemas don’t normally bankroll pricey advertising, instead relying on … [Read more...] about AMC Unspools Surprise $25m Ad Campaign
Cinema Stirs Amid Oscars Debacle
Pundits may praise watching movies on streaming, but the Hollywood establishment gave a full-throated endorsement to pandemic-battered cinema in Sunday’s poorly received Oscars telecast. ABC Television’s audience plunged 56%, which is a crisis for the Academy Awards organizer that depends on Oscar TV-rights income. But the event will remain a moneymaker because TV … [Read more...] about Cinema Stirs Amid Oscars Debacle
Wrestling Toxic Fans Who Torch Cyberspace
As the nation’s political and social discourse gets coarse, it’s no surprise that movie marketers — who aim to engage fans — increasingly battle unwanted spurts of toxic fan syndrome. “So-called toxic fans take up an oversized place in the media's and the public's imaginations,” writes Aaron Couch in an analysis article in the Hollywood Reporter. In 2019, fanboys … [Read more...] about Wrestling Toxic Fans Who Torch Cyberspace
Scandal! Marketing Downplays Disgraced Actor
Bad publicity over a suddenly disgraced actor has Hollywood’s publicity machine in high gear scrambling to minimize Armie Hammer in the latest marketing messaging for his two upcoming film releases. Hammer was exposed for communicating cannibalistic and sex-abuse desires toward women a month ago, creating a controversy imperiling audience reception for movies "Crisis" and … [Read more...] about Scandal! Marketing Downplays Disgraced Actor