Hollywood is being swept by a fascination with toys as source material for movies, as movies based on toys soar at the box office and star vehicles hit a rough patch in 2009. A “Wall Street Journal” article is a delicious combination of funny and serious about this film development and movie marketing trend. “Toys now are receiving the same A-list treatment that any … [Read more...] about Movies Based on Toys Multiply
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Disney’s Pricey Wedding Merchandise
Walt Disney rolls out some of the most expensive movie-licensed merchandise anywhere—diamond rings and wedding dresses for women who want a real-life princess experience. Diamond rings – named for animated movie characters Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle – run $4,210 to $6,780 each. Wedding dresses go up to $4,000 and are created by … [Read more...] about Disney’s Pricey Wedding Merchandise
HP Promotes ‘Monsters’ Computer Tie-in
As another DreamWorks Animation film hits cinema screens, Hewlett-Packard gets a chance to again shout from the rooftops that it provided computer equipment, this time for the making of “Monsters vs. Aliens.” HP is part of a small cadre of corporate sponsors tied to DreamWorks Animation in long-term deals. The other sponsors are McDonald’s restaurants (which mounts … [Read more...] about HP Promotes ‘Monsters’ Computer Tie-in
‘Sex & City’ Ignites Pop Culture, Promos
The silver-screen version of HBO TV series “Sex and the City” shapes up as a theatrical phenomenon with strong pre-release buzz. The stylish, young-adult contemporary drama has a foundation of an HBO TV series, which is more tame than the theatrical release May 30 domestically from Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie is rated R-restricted. * Luxury brands are a natural fit; … [Read more...] about ‘Sex & City’ Ignites Pop Culture, Promos
Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
20th Century Fox reported paid a $550,000 licensing fee to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for use of its name in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” The 2009 family-adventure film, which starts production shortly, already lays claim to a U.S. theatrical release a year from now on May 22, 2009 and its predecessor was a sleeper hit grossing $251 … [Read more...] about Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
Disney Embraces Milder Family Films
Finding darker films like “The Alamo” and “Hidalgo” flopped, Walt Disney Studios put more emphasis on family friendly films with softer edges. The thinking is milder is good fit with the Disney brand, according to a “New York Times” article. First up in this drive is chasing-history yarn “National Treasure.” The "NYT" article by Neal Koch says that Disney is “planning … [Read more...] about Disney Embraces Milder Family Films
Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
When “Jurassic Park” approached theatrical release in June 1993, distributor Universal Pictures set a new high in licensed merchandise, lining up 1,000 different categories of products locked up by 100 companies. Director Steven Spielberg and a then lofty $70 million production with cutting edge special effects let the studio make this proposition: the film would … [Read more...] about Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz
In 1983, the eagerly awaited third film of the “Star Wars” cinema saga shapes up as much a potential blockbuster in merchandising and promotional tie-ins as it is expected to be at the box office. Two major packaged goods marketers – Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble – and a fast-food chain – Burger King – plan national promotions tied to the $35 million production of “Star … [Read more...] about ‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz