Back in the 1980s when I was a cub reporter on the marketing beat, I had a memorable encounter with film marketing expert Marvin Antonowsky over his handling of Oscar nominated movie “Gandhi.” Antonowsky died earlier this week. I knew I wouldn’t be able to reach him on the day Oscar nominations were announced, so I made a deal to interview him in advance on how Oscars … [Read more...] about Recalling ‘Gandhi’s’ Famous Oscar Run
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Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
It's every corporate sponsor's nightmare: A Hollywood star tarnishes the brand in a speech at an event underwritten by the sponsor. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards, actor Paul Thomas Anderson ripped American Airlines while accepting an honor from the podium. American Airlines is a Spirit Awards sponsor. "Don't fly American Airlines, man," Anderson said while accepting … [Read more...] about Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
Official Champagne for Oscars Changes Again
The Academy Awards again changed champagne sponsorship as Piper-Heidsieck takes the designation for three years of Oscars, after the bubbly brand held it in 1991-92 and 1999. The French company is known for its brut champagnes. “After a few years with Moët & Chandon, in 2013 and 2014, Champagne Thiénot ushered ‘Argo’ and ‘12 Years a Slave’ into the American canon,” says … [Read more...] about Official Champagne for Oscars Changes Again
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
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
Academy Enlarges Foreign Film Oscar Vote
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opened up voting for winners in the foreign film and four other categories to all members for the first time, which means victors in all 24 Oscar categories will be chosen at large. “Prior to the final round of voting, the Academy will provide members with DVDs of the nominated films in five categories: Foreign Language Film, … [Read more...] about Academy Enlarges Foreign Film Oscar Vote
Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
With the Oscar telecast tomorrow, let’s look at some of the many marketers that attach themselves to the awards without an official affiliation. “This year’s Oscar Celebrity Gifting Suite will be held at an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills,” says an enthusiastic press release for Inance skin care products. “Many celebrities have been waiting for this chance to sample … [Read more...] about Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
Sponsors Embrace Brash Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards cloaks itself with the aura of a maverick and virtue but is not shy about embracing the luxury side of corporate America. The independent-film awards counts as main sponsors luxury wristwatch Piaget, Jameson Irish Whisky, upmarket Lincoln automobiles, T-Mobile cell phones and indie film TV channel IFC for its Saturday awards, which come one day … [Read more...] about Sponsors Embrace Brash Spirit Awards
Oscar TV Ad Sales Sizzle
Advertising sales for the Feb. 24 Oscar telecast are brisk, according to trade newspaper Advertising Age, which attributes strong demand comparison to recession-depressed rates in the past year and a belief a revamp this year will pull viewers. The performance of the Oscar telecast is of keen interest to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) because it … [Read more...] about Oscar TV Ad Sales Sizzle
Unofficially Yours: Oscar Night Hanger-ons
It seems every Oscar season, corporate America entities without any formal association try to wiggle their way into Hollywood’s greatest night. Here are some outfits that jumped on the Academy Awards bandwagon without official status: *UK gambling site Sky Bet is laying odds and taking bets for all the Oscars categories. It’s got 10-to-1 odds for "The Descendants" to win … [Read more...] about Unofficially Yours: Oscar Night Hanger-ons