Sticking with a Will Farrell theme, I've been inspired by the marketing currently being executed for his new movie "Semi-Pro". Though I saw one of the genius advertisements during the Superbowl, I didn't think much of it until I researched it a bit online.




What the marketing team has done for this movie is an entirely new concept and approach towards promotion, and something I have never before seen. They are marketing products - in this particular case, Bud Light beer and Old Spice deodorant - by using a character whom, in turn, markets a movie. The character? Jackie Moon, portrayed by Will Farrell. Though I haven't yet seen the movie, I can already tell he is a "guy's guy", which is why these are appropriate items for him to be advertising. These commercials aired during the Superbowl and continue to play on Network Television.

If you missed the clips, they can be viewed online at AdGabber or at Old Spice's website. They are quite appealing and humorous, which I feel perfectly matches the expectations of this movie. They caught my attention and, after perusing a few online blogs, the attention of many others, leaving an impact without giving any real movie details. To me, that's quite an accomplishment for any marketing team.

I recently came across a movie poster for a film called Step Brothers which isn't even being promoted yet. Here is the visual that caught my attention.


You might ask, if this movie isn't being marketed yet, then why am I writing about it on a movie marketing blog? The answer is simple. Though I haven't seen one commercial, trailer or advertisement for this movie (besides this simple visual) I already know I am going to see it. And, I can almost guarantee it's going to be a hit.

I believe that one of the most effective forms of marketing is being executed with this movie - association with a hit celebrity. I mean, who can honestly say that they've ever been let down by a Will Farrell movie? He is currently starring in a movie that is hitting theaters now called "Semi-Pro". Most people only know that it's a Will Farrell movie about dodgeball, and not much more. However, they anticipate it's release and will definitely purchase tickets. This poster screams "comedy"; from Will's face to his argyle sweater. I know nothing about it and I'm already laughing.

Will has established such a successful, credible and humorous career, that his name markets his work itself. Some movies probably wish they had it so easy.

I'll keep you updated as I hear more about this film, as I'm sure many of you out there are just as excited as I am.

After reading this article, I have a feeling that those working in the movie marketing industry are about to see big changed in advertising on the Internet.

Marissa Mayer, the Vice President of search product and user experience for Google, the world famous search engine, has finally established a new approach at earning revenue from marketing. In the past, typing information into the search engine has only brought up text related to the subject of your inquiry. Last year, Google established "universal search" which integrated images, videos and news stories in to this mix. With $16 billion of Google's revenues coming in from advertising, Mayer has now taken this thought of a "universal search" to a new level and invited movie producers in on the deal.

For no extra fee, movie trailers will now come up after Google searches. However, the search must directly relate to the movie for this to happen. For example, if a user typed in "Golf", any upcoming movies involving golfing might appear.

The biggest concern at Google was that the visuals would clutter the page, and distract viewers from the classic textual look of the site. To solve this, they have decided to use a small plus sign, instead of a visual, which can be clicked to play the trailer.

Personally, I think this is a genius idea. Google serves as many people's main source of getting information. By promoting and marketing movies on the site, it's sure to get across to people efficiently, quickly and effectively.

A few weeks ago, I saw a trailer online for M. Night Shyamalan's newest movie "The Happening" online which really caught my attention with it's disturbing material. Remembering this, I searched online to find it, only to find that Fox 20th Century has requested it's removal from every media outlet there is. Apparently, the "mass suicide" sequence portrayed in it was too graphic for unsuspecting audiences and had little to do with the plot line of the actual story.

I can't help but wonder if this is an attempt to stir up media buzz by Shyamalan himself in an attempt to save his reputation after a few box office disasters. Though his movies usually get a lot of hype, that isn't always matched with satisfaction by viewers. Personally, as a scary movie lover myself, I was thoroughly disappointed with his last release "Lady in the Water". I can honestly say it was one of the worst films I've ever sat through. However, because of his edgy plotlines, different ways of thinking and completely unpredictable endings, I know I will go see "The Happening". Is this a personal decision, or is it an affect of great movie marketing and a build up of suspension?

I guess we'll never know.

How do you market a movie that's only going to be in theaters for a week? Disney thinks they've got it down. Pair up teen sensation Miley Cyrus (better known as Hannah Montana) and put her on the big screen in 3-D, and fans will come running.

Last weekend, tweens spent $31.3 million to get a chance to see "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" which was only available for a very "limited time" in theaters nationwide. It set a record for a movie opening on SuperBowl Weekend, which is quite an astonishing feat for a movie targeted at such a narrow audience. But, how did they do it?

Dan Smith, marketing professor at Indiana University states that "When you create that kind of buzz and combine it with scarcity, you're going to drive up demand. It strikes me as not much different from a rock concert." It also helps that Disney has established such a credible franchise, and has sole ownership over an entire television channel where they can market and advertise events such as this repeatedly.

Disney has now given theaters the right to keep this movie/concert in theaters for as long as they'd like, based on it's enormous success. Even though I'm almost 20 years old, I will still admite I am a large Miley fan. I haven't gotten the chance to experience this 3-D adventure yet, but perhaps sometime in the near future I will.

The past few times I have been to the movies, I have been intrigued by previews and artwork promoting a movie called "Wall-E" that is set to be released during the summer of 2008. Though marketing for this site has been around for a few months now, the only real piece of information I have gathered is that the plotline revolves around some sort of futuristic robot.

After doing some research online, I have found that the team behind "Wall-E" is using a viral-marketing approach in an attempt to spread buzz about this production. This website promotes a fictional superstore, similar to a Wal-Mart or Target, which is supposedly featured in "Wall-E" (which takes place in the year 2700). Though this site gives absolutely no information or insight on what exactly "Wall-E" is about, it does offer a bit of background history on the time period and what style the movie is done in. To be completely honest, I was thoroughly impressed while perusing through the site. A lot of time was put into it, and every link leads you to an elaborate or humorous article. It makes it look like "Buy N Large" could be a real store.

I am curious to see where the movie marketers go from here with this movie. Typically, I don't think that not releasing any information is a very effecting marketing approach, but it definitely raises curiousity. (For example, the movie "Cloverfield"). I'll keep an eye open for more about "Wall-E" and keep you all updated.