"Star Trek” fans can slice their pizzas with a U.S.S. Enterprise Pizza Cutter from ThinkGeek, which is a licensed merchandise outfit based in Fairfax VA. A press release says that the $99.99 cutter, which is in the shape of the space ship, is "limited to 1,701 units and each will feature a unique number laser etched onto the blade. Under license by CBS Consumer … [Read more...] about ThinkGeek Beams Up ‘Star Trek’ Merchandise
branding
Confessions of a Horror Film Mogul
Horror filmmaker Eli Roth is a “brand” that he milks online and in other media. A creative force behind "Cabin Fever" and "Hostel," Roth provided a fascinating tour of the horror film genre in an interview at the Variety Film Marketing Summit last week. His big break came as director of “Cabin Fever” released in 2003, though that low-budget film that was a hit with $21 … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Horror Film Mogul
IWC Wristwatch Stars in ‘Bourne’
It’s no accident that Jeremy Renner is wearing a pricey IWC wristwatch in “The Bourne Legacy.” The Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen issued a press release saying the watch worn by the movie’s star is product placement in a “partnership” agreement with Universal Pictures, which distributed the PG-13 spy thriller movie. “IWC has a longstanding passion for filmmaking,” says … [Read more...] about IWC Wristwatch Stars in ‘Bourne’
Merchandise Surges for ‘Dark Knight’
Warner Bros. unveiled product licensees for "The Dark Knight Rises" with the top-tier merchandise purveyors Mattel, Lego, Hallmark, Kinetex, Rubie’s Costume, Titan books, and Sakar International (electronics). The movie, which reportedly cost $250 million to make, premieres tomorrow. A Warner Bros. Consumer Products press release says that licensed products range “from toys … [Read more...] about Merchandise Surges for ‘Dark Knight’
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
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
Fat-cats Gorge on Sundance Glitz
The Sundance Film Festival loves to dish out an ecological “green” sensibility and project a we’re-with-the-people face. So it’s a bit of a paradox that outfits catering to the “one percenters”—portrayed as filthy exploiters indie films that are Sundance staples—enthusiastically latch on to the film event. They are in evidence as both official sponsors and indirectly as … [Read more...] about Fat-cats Gorge on Sundance Glitz
Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
The "Hangover Part II” is experiencing its own cliffhangers. The tattoo artist who created ex-boxer Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo is suing to block theatrical premiere of “Hangover 2” alleging copyright infringement because the distinctive tattoo appears in the film. The raunchy R-rated comedy is scheduled for Thursday premiere (at midnight) and the “Hollywood Reporter” says … [Read more...] about Tattoo Rights in Dispute for “Hangover II’
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
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