Mercedes Benz embraces movie glitz and star talent in a sponsorship of the gala awards ceremony of the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The German car maker is connected to a rare film festival that is part of the Oscar awards season calendar because of its early January date (most other fests are outside awards season). Mercedes also trots out celebrity … [Read more...] about Mercedes Drives Palm Springs Fest Sponsorship
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‘Hobbit’ Merchandise Comes Cheap & Also Pricey
With “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” now in theaters, Warner Bros. revealed details about its “Hobbit” licensed merchandise and a Wall Street Journal article describes bidding for pricey items and prop replicas from that movie and its precursor “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. Here are some of the movie’s licensees for standard merchandise: * Co-master toy licensees The … [Read more...] about ‘Hobbit’ Merchandise Comes Cheap & Also Pricey
ThinkGeek Beams Up ‘Star Trek’ Merchandise
"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
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’