Dwayne Johnson appeared at AMC Mission Valley Theater on Friday, March 13th with Race to Witch Mountain’s director Andy Fickman and producer Andrew Gunn. This was part of a new program that began with The Jonas Brothers called Disney’s Opening Weekend Surprise. The idea is that you might get a special treat if you see a Disney film such as seeing The Rock or The Jonas Brothers.
Disney has big plans for this initative with creating a movie going community on Disney.com that will get sneak peeks at upcoming releases as well as hints as to what and where the next surprise will be.
Is it just me or has Disney decided to create a lot of new communities lately, while creating less and less product. Don’t get me wrong, along with D23, I like this new idea. But I can’t help but notice that while Disney Movie Rewards continues to expand, the number of films Disney is releasing shrinks. And I would much rather see a press release regarding a new attraction instead of another update from the silly Mom’s Panel.
I love the marketing efforts that Disney has undertaken lately. But the marketing can only be as good as the product. There is no marketing that is going to turn a bad movie or attraction good. But we have to notice that the amount of product Disney is releasing is decreasing, at least for now. So the marketing allows us to stay excited between openings. The key is not to get carried away with the marketing, and lose focus and investment on the actual product.
Quick Takes:
Media Networks: Today was “Selection Monday” for the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Unlike what some shareholders believe, ESPN only has the rights to the Women’s tourney. All you really need to know is that UCLA didn’t make it this year (again). But UCF is the 14 seed is the Oklahoma City region. Good Luck!
Parks and Resorts: T. Rowe Price has agreed to sponsor an exhibit at Epcot’s Innoventions. Uhmm, aren’t we in the midst of a financial crisis in which investment companies are being scrutinized how they are spending their money? Also, will The Great Piggy Bank Adventure theme to Epcot be about the future? I don’t know that an attraction featuring rampant inflation will be a big hit amongst Disney Guests.
Disney Interactive Media: Disney’s Black Rock Studios announced they will be releasing Spit/Second, a new racing game for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the PC. I can’t help but notice that the game doesn’t involve Disney’s existing franchises and is not being released on a Nintendo platform which Bob Iger recently identified as Disney Interactive Studio’s strategic directives. I guess there is an exception to every rule.
Consumer Products: DCP and KB Homes have announced that you can now have Disney Dream Rooms based on Hannah Montana, Cars, Pooh, and Disney Princess. I can’t wait for them to extend their lines. I can’t wait to live in a home with a D23 room.
Who is Celebrating: It is Erik Estrada’s birthday. (Insert own joke here)
Video of the Day: The second Upisode premiered and features Russell trying to use a first aid kit. It kind of reminds me of my experience the one time I went to first aid at Universal to get a band-aid.
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: Former Disney Star, Lindsay Lohan is off the hook after being issued an arrest warrant. How come I have the feeling she won’t be named a Disney Legend. Well, I mean you can’t show up if you are in jail, and it’s just a matter of time.
NY Times: Looks like a treatment for peanut allergies shows promise. I guess there is hope for me! Soon, I might be able to enjoy the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Anyone want to be there when I try for the first time?
USA Today: Dancing with the Stars contestant, Shawn Johnson, has a blog discussing her Salsa. I prefer Paul Newman’s Salsa myself, but I’ll give hers a shot.
LA Times: The LA Times catches up with Kim Richards and Iake Eissisnmann from the original Witch Mountain films. I learned one thing about each of them that I didn’t want to know. Kim is Paris Hilton’s aunt. Iake paints nudes. I guess there is such a thing as knowing too much about the stars you idolized as a child.
Orlando Sentinel: Thomas Kinkade presents Pinocchio in a new painting entitled “Pinocchio Wishes Upon a Star”. Just a thought… Wasn’t Geppetto the one that wished upon a star? Pinocchio was the one that went to Pleasure Island and turned in to an…. donkey.
Variety: Variety reviews Better Off Ted, and gives it a tepid reception. I am shocked that a comedy on ABC didn’t get glowing reviews. In related news, ABC announced that the series FINALE of According to Jim will air May 5.