TV programs -- not theatrical films -- took the spotlight at the Comic-Con enthusiast convention July 12-15. “Other than a blow-out panel for the upcoming fifth and final movie in the ‘Twilight’ series, there didn’t seem to be a single movie event here that made a significant impact with the crowd of approximately 125,000 genre fans,” wrote Ed Martin in Media Post. The … [Read more...] about TV Shows, Females Jumping at Comic-Con
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Pixar Covers Postage Stamps
The United States Postal Service adds Disney’s Pixar animation characters to the pantheon of Hollywood luminaries that have graced postage stamps. Some 125 million stamps in total will be issued with five different mixes of Pixar characters including Nemo and Squirt from “Finding Nemo," and Woody, Bullseye and Jessie from “Toy Story 2.” “These delightful stamps lift spirits … [Read more...] about Pixar Covers Postage Stamps
‘Lorax’ Backlash
There’s a bit of a backlash brewing over the mountain of tie-in promotions for “Dr. Suess’ The Lorax,” which is the PG-rated family animated film from Universal Pictures set to premiere Friday. “I personally think that Sr. Seuss would only be disappointed that ‘The Lorax’ has only 70 product tie-ins,” said a deadpan Stephen Colbert on a Comedy Central skit. Colbert continued … [Read more...] about ‘Lorax’ Backlash
Wells Fargo Embraces Film Promos
Wells Fargo is mounting a flurry of film sponsorships as the nation’s fourth largest bank associates itself with Hollywood on several promotional fronts. Wells Fargo took the title of “official financial institution sponsor” for 20th Century Fox release of “Red Tails” in a deal sparked by two of its bankers who served as combat fighter pilots in the celebrated WWII air unit … [Read more...] about Wells Fargo Embraces Film Promos
‘Mission Impossible’ Links to Hockey
“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” has a major tie-in promotion with professional hockey via a sweepstakes offering a prize as a trip to a big National Hockey League game in Philadelphia. Paramount Pictures will release what is the fourth movie in the “Mission: Impossible” series Dec. 21 and the PG-13 rated actioner stars Tom Cruise. Says an NHL press release: “The … [Read more...] about ‘Mission Impossible’ Links to Hockey
‘Narnia’ Revamps Marketing Focus
The third “Narnia” fantasy film, which 20th Century Fox is scheduled to open Friday, aims to get the mystical family franchise back to profitability, after the second installment under-performed. The “Narnia” series, which its producers hope will keep going like the seven title “Harry Potter” film franchise at Warner Bros., is an example of how marketing considerations shape … [Read more...] about ‘Narnia’ Revamps Marketing Focus
Easy-to-market Horror Films Proliferate
Hollywood rolls out horror films starting in early September to cash in on the Halloween holiday and “this year’s ghoulish conga line is particularly crowded,” notes an article in “The Hollywood Reporter.” “A few movies, like Universal’s “Devil,” with a domestic gross of $32.4 million, posted modest returns, while others, such as Paramount Vantage’s “Case 39” ($12.7 million) … [Read more...] about Easy-to-market Horror Films Proliferate
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
Faith Audience Propels ‘Blind Side’
Family-audience “The Blind Side” achieved a rare feat of ranking #1 at the box office in its third week of release, helped by a massive specialty marketing campaign targeting the faith audience. Warner Bros. Pictures hired marketing agency Grace Hill Media to promote the film to consumers that actively pursue religious worship and an "Advertising Age" article by Andrew Hampp … [Read more...] about Faith Audience Propels ‘Blind Side’
Top Indie ‘Fireproof’ Warms Christian Demo
Uplifting martial relationship drama “Fireproof” beat long odds to be last year’s top grossing indie film with $33 million in domestic box office via Samuel Goldwyn Distribution. Marketing targeted the Christian audience that is sometimes called the faith demographic. At its widest distribution, "Fireproof" played at 905 theaters, according to Boxofficemojo.com, which … [Read more...] about Top Indie ‘Fireproof’ Warms Christian Demo