Ülker – Turkish multinational food products maker, recently booked an integrated cinema campaign with Motivate Val Morgan – through Arab Reach Media Services, for the launch of O’lala Sufle in Saudi Arabia.
The on-screen component included a 13 sec. ad which screened for a period of 4 weeks (3rd October to 30th October, 2019) at Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Arabia and VOX Cinemas – The Roof.
The off-screen campaign included a sampling activity at both Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Arabia and VOX Cinemas – The Roof over the weekend 24th to 26th October 2019.
Promoters were hired by the brand to oversee the 3-day sampling activity at the cinemas and to assist with the distribution of Ülker O’lala Sufle cakes to cinemagoers walking out of the respective auditoriums at which the brand’s ad was screening.
A sampling activation is a great way to engage cinemagoers – especially when launching a new product into the market.
Got a product launch in mind for your brand? Contact a member of our sales team to know more on how integrated campaigns can help move your brand closer to its target audience.
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Desert Stallion Launches in Cinemas Across the UAE
Ford v Ferrari – featuring Academy Award-winner and nominee Christian Bale and Matt Damon, will race into cinemas across the Middle East on 28th November 2019.
Based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale). Together they battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
Ford v Ferrari by 20th Century Fox had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2019, and received positive reviews from critics who lauded the performances and racing sequences. The movie is presently sitting at 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
With standout performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale, this story makes for one of the most electrifying films of the year.
Watch the trailer of Ford v Ferrari 2019:
Here’s what you should know about The Ford V Ferrari movie:
Massive Budgets and Authenticity:
Action movies in Hollywood are known to have big investments to carry out action-packed sequences. Films such as Rush (2013) had some amazing racing sequences in it, with a budget of mere $35M, but Ford v Ferrari reaped the treasure chests of Fox before it was handed over to Disney and has a massive $100M budget. With such a big investment, audiences are in for a visual spectacle.
Did you know: Despite a majority of the film being shot in various locations in the US, including California and New Orleans, the racing sequences were shot on location at Le Mans – with the intent to capture and deliver a true essence of such an important moment in sporting history.
Director
Ford v Ferrari is James Mangold’s latest film after the highly successful Logan (2017), which broke genre barriers and managed to get him nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Mangold directs Matt Damon and Christian Bale in this high-speed biographical drama that pits an underdog team of American automotive engineers against Ferrari in the 1966 “24 Hours of Le Mans” endurance race. Ford v Ferrari will be Jim Mangold’s debut directing a film about racing, or even cars for that matter of fact.
After an initial run of low-budget films—including Girl, Interrupted (1999) and Cop Land (1997), Mangold’s movies have progressively marched toward bigger-ticket works. However, regardless of the movie budget, Mangold has always stayed pure to character-driven dramas such as: Walk the Line (2005), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Knight and Day (2010) and The Wolverine series.
On the basis of the trailer, it appears that Mangold will be sticking with the core motorsport fans on this one – telling the story which deserves to be told on the big screen, rather than making this a major mainstream film (just for the popcorn entertainment).
Who are the other characters alongside Shelby-Miles?
The film also stars Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca. Bernthal is a highly underrated Harvard educated actor who has starred in films such as Wind River (2017), Widows (2018) and the popular Netflix show The Punisher.
Tracy Letts plays Henry Ford II himself. The actor has several major Hollywood credits under his belt, with movies such as Lady Bird (2017), The Big Short (2015) and The Post (2017). He has also received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and multiple Tony Awards in his career.
Here’s a special look of Ford V Ferrari 2019:
According to BoxOfficePro, Ford V Ferrari starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon is currently in the range of $25-35 million which would place it in a good riding for potential opening in the top spot for that weekend.
The combined star appeal of Matt Damon and Christian Bale is a major driver behind this biopic, as is the success of director James Mangold. With potential appeal to both men and women, car enthusiasts and racing fanatics, advertisers are guaranteed to target diverse audiences with this movie.
Contact a member of our sales team for advertising opportunities alongside this blockbuster.
Sources: BoxOfficePro, DriveTribe and The Numbers.
The second edition of the MENA Cinema Forum – largest conference and exhibition dedicated to cinema in the MENA region, organized by Great Minds Events took place at Conrad Dubai from 22nd to 24th October 2019.
From conferences, workshops, corporate meetings, film slates, screenings, post-event receptions, an expo and awards ceremony, and much more, this year’s forum was on a much larger in scale – richer in content and designed to enhance the industry evolution through updates on regional projects and policies, technological and technical advancements in cinemas and best practices in next generation of customer experience and engagement, through a mixture of various content and mediums.
2019 witnessed over 60 speakers, 200+ C-Level Executives, 800+ attendees, 115+ sponsors and exhibitors from 50+ countries.
Day 1 kicked off with an Opening Keynote by the Strategic Partner of the MENA Cinema Conference: Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment.
The panel discussion on MENA Cinema Upcoming Project Updates included:
The panel also indulged in a live debate chaired by Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Chairman & Advisor, answering questions from the delegates and attendees at the forum.
Day 1 also featured a presentation focusing on ‘Cinema Strategies and Statistic Updates’ delivered by Rajkumar Akella, Managing Director, Comscore India (Movies)
His discussion included the following:
Ashish Shukla, the Chief Executive Officer of Cinépolis Gulf addressed the audience with project updates from the fastest growing international exhibitor in the region – Cinépolis. He also unveiled a new special and exclusive project and partnership in the UAE.
The event was held across 2 levels at the Conrad Dubai; one to host conference sessions and the other for exhibitors to showcase their products and technologies.
The Trade Show on Day 1 featured technical seminars on:
Day 2 included a mix of presentations and panel discussions that focused on:
Technical Seminars on Day 2 of the forum included:
Day 3 focused on regional content production, best practices in this field and regional and international collaborations. A series of 6 masterclasses addressed pertinent topics such as film financing, script writing, production and acting, catered to professionals and newcomers alike.
New to 2019 were workshops and masterclasses on key topics for a more interactive and hands-on learning experiences – delivered by global leaders to help enhance learning and growth opportunities at the forum.
The workshops held on day 3 covered range of topics and themes:
MENA Cinema Forum also hosted an Expo – The largest exhibition of its kind in the region, and amongst one the largest cinema expos globally, for the second time round, following the success of last year’s round.
The exhibition introduced interesting and interactive attractions including but not limited to floor talks, product demos, themed entertainment, mini-screenings, an Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality zones, rest and refreshment parlors.
The Awards ceremony – presented by Comscore and co-presented by Dubai Studio City, are globally recognized and are a fixture of the big global conventions, and now in MENA. These awards are based on quantitative data measuring performance of all sectors and markets across the globe with identical metrics.
Here’s a list of this year’s winners:
Expanding its scope as an event for the cinema industry – with the aim to engage, wow and inspire, this year included several international and regional content screenings at VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates and Reel Cinemas – Dubai Mall: International films such as The Addams Family, Terminator: Dark Fate, Leonardo – The Works and Zombieland: Double Tap. Other screenings included: local and regional content such as Son-Mother.
Pass holders were given the opportunity to interact with cast and crew of some of these feature films.
At the end of each day of the forum, post-event reception – in a themed setting, offered refreshment and entertainment in a fun and relaxed atmosphere for attendees to mingle and further nourish their friendships and business relationships.
Here’s a video with highlights from MENA Cinema Forum 2019:
The next forum will be held in October 2020.
For more information on the MENA Cinema Forum visit www.menacinema.com
Sources: Zawya and MENA Cinema Forum
Related Article:
Highlights from MENA Cinema Forum 2018
Peugeot – French automotive manufacturer, recently booked an integrated cinema campaign with Motivate Val Morgan – through Initiative, at VOX Cinemas – Mall of Egypt.
The on screen component includes two 15 sec. ads screening in rotation from 2nd October to 12th November, 2019.
The first commercial features the all-new Peugeot 508 – which combines boldness, strength, elegance and passion. From a panoramic electric roof to sporty frameless doors to the dazzling 18″ two-tone diamond finish alloy wheels, the vehicle’s unparalleled design is far from a traditional looking four-door sedan and is complemented by cutting edge technology focused on comfort and entertainment for all those on-board – iCockpit which includes a compact steering wheel, configurable 12.3” head-up digital instrument panel and a 10” HD capacitive touchscreen.
The second commercial features the all-new 2020 Peugeot 3008 SUV which is by far the most unique in its category as it offers a variety of exterior and interior features and options – LED daytime running lights built into the headlight unit, rear LED PEUGEOT signature ‘Claw Effect’ lights designed to match the engine’s roar, chrome-winged radiator grille and vertical front-end embellished wide air intakes, captivating 8-inch touchscreen, configurable 12.3” head-up display instrumental panel, compact steering wheel with built-in controls and automatic gearbox control, to amplify the driving experience.
Peugeot also booked an off-screen campaign which included two car displays in the Foyer area of VOX Cinemas – Mall of Egypt from 3rd – 16th October, 2019. The first week witnessed the display of the Peugeot 508, while the second week showcased the Peugeot 3008 SUV.
Get in front of highly targeted, captive audiences and breathe life into your marketing mix with integrated cinema campaigns.
Contact us for more information of advertising opportunities across our circuit in the Middle East.
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As the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE, Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan recently concluded the distribution of Lions won by UAE at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
This year witnessed UAE bring home 7 Lions – the region’s first Grand Prix and six Bronze Lions, all of which were won by Impact BBDO Dubai.
Of the 1,252 entries from 62 countries competing in the Print & Publishing Lions category (Communication Track) where 32 Lions were awarded – 1 Grand Prix, 6 Gold, 7 Silver and 18 Bronze Lions, Impact BBDO Dubai snatched the Grand Prix for ‘The Blank Edition’, which saw the agency work with leading Arabic-language daily newspaper An-Nahar to print an entirely blank edition – calling on Lebanese citizens to use the space to send a message to the stalled government.
Ian Fairservice – Managing Partner and Group Editor in Chief at Motivate Media Group, and Avinash Udeshi – Chief Operating Officer at Motivate Val Morgan, paid Dani Richa – Chairman & CEO of BBDO Middle East, Africa & Pakistan, and his team a visit on Wednesday 9th October 2019 to hand over the Lions won by their agency at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival which concluded in June 2019.
We at Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan warmly congratulate Impact BBDO Dubai and look forward to UAE winning many more Lions at next year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Related Article:
Impact BBDO Dubai Wins Seven Lions at Cannes Lions 2019
Motivate Val Morgan – in partnership with Muvi Cinemas, hosted a Private Screening of Gemini Man for our distinguished clients and advertisers in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) at Muvi Cinemas – Mall of Arabia on Monday 14th October, 2019.
With an attendance of over 240 invitees – a mix of agency and direct clients (and their family members), the Private Screening, below are some images from the event:
In addition to the movie screening, our invitees experienced a guided tour of the brand new cinema complex operated by Muvi Cinemas at Mall of Arabia.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Muvi Cinemas for helping us organize and execute this screening – making it a memorable one!
Finally, a big thank you out to our invitees who attended. We hope you enjoyed the screening!
Stay tuned for more updates on future Private Screenings by Motivate Val Morgan.
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BOO to you from our CREW!
Halloween will soon be upon us, and while this day is celebrated around the world with costume parties and trick-or-treating, it is also a day that has long inspired some of the scariest films over the years.
Whether you’re in the mood for a good scare or prefer to celebrate the day with a bit of humor, there’s a Halloween movie for every taste.
New movie releases over the weekend of Halloween include:
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director – Tim Miller
Starring – Mackenzie Davis, Linda Hamilton, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Addams Family
Directors – Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon
Voiced by -Oscar Isac, charlize Theron and Chloë Grace Moretz
In addition to the above, there are also older movie releases you can watch in the comfort of your home to get into the spirit of Halloween. From childhood classics, psychological thrillers and cult favorites, we guarantee you’ll find something to ‘tickle your fancy’ from our list of 30 spooky movies to watch this Halloween:
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloween movies need not be dark, bloody, and nightmare-inducing. For many, the Halloween season doesn’t begin until they’ve viewed this classic starring Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever worn a Beetlejuice-inspired costume for Halloween or, more important, dressed up as Winona Ryder’s Lydia (aka the goth girl) from the movie. The movie also stars Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Michael Keaton.
Hereditary (2018)
Who agrees that Toni Collette should have been nominated for all the awards for this Ari Aster movie? And how about that terrifying lucking sound her daughter makes in the movie… creepy!
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton’s unlikely love story is just eerie enough to include in your Halloween must watch line-up. The movie stars Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
Halloween (1978)
For those who get a thrill from horror movies, John Carpenter’s Halloween is a must watch. Get ready to witness for the first time, or all over again, murderer Michael Myers escapes a psychiatric hospital on the night before Halloween then returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to terrorize scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in the 2018 continuation of the time-tested franchise.
Practical Magic (1998)
Looking for enjoyable escapism? Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play supernatural sisters earnestly attempting to end a family curse that keeps them from finding true love.
The Nun (2018)
The trailers alone were terrifying enough! The movie – about a mysterious Romanian abbey, is sure to give you full-blown nightmares.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Not your average scary movie, Trick ‘r Treat follows five interwoven stories over the course of one fateful Halloween.
Get Out (2017)
Fans were captivated by this horror/thriller by Jordan Peel – starring Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
Zombieland (2009)
The world has gone all zombie… with only a few humans left to fight them off – which Woody Harrelson has no problems doing! The sequel Zombieland: Double Tap released in cinemas on 17 October 2019. Might as well watch them both this Halloween!
The Sixth Sense (1999)
“I see dead people” is one of the most famous movie quotes in history, and it all started in The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. This is a definite must watch/re-watch this Halloween.
The Ring (2002)
The good thing about watching this movie in 2019 is that videotapes pretty much don’t exist anymore. The bad thing is that the movie is still rather. We bet you’ll think twice about answering any phone calls while watching the movie. The film also has a sequel – The Ring 2, which released in 2005. Think you can handle watching both movies back-to-back?
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
This underrated vampire Western from director Ana Lily Amirpour is a satisfying black-and-white film for anyone who loves cats, hates men who disrespects women, and has an ear for good music.
The Conjuring (2013)
This horror film by director James Wan provides typical haunting tricks that seems fresh and terrifying once again, and guaranteed to haunt you long after you turn the lights back on. Also check out its sequel – The Conjuring 2, which released in 2016.
Saw (2004)
Watching a serial killer torture strangers for almost 2 hours is another way to get into the Halloween spirit… right? A fan of such? Then do watch its sequel from 2005 – Saw II.
Scream (1996)
You can’t let Halloween pass by without watching this one and its sequels: Screen 2 (1997), Scream 3 (2000) and Scream 4 (2011).
The Others (2001)
It’s hard to look away from Nicole Kidman’s powerhouse performance as Grace, a loving and religious mother who tries to protect her children from a photosensitivity disease that keeps them indoors.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The original Freddy Krueger film still gives a fright – decades later. If you really want a serious spook, have a marathon with all the sequels, including the 2010 remake.
A Quiet Place (2018)
In this gripping and clever monster movie, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt put their marriage to the test by starring side by side in this super-scary release where an entire family must live in silence.
Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s most recent thriller stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Elisabeth Moss.
The Witches (1990)
This tale of a young boy who stumbles upon a gaggle of witches is still so popular that it’s getting a remake in 2020 which will star Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer.
IT (2017)
Whether you opt for the 1990 original or this movie, you’ll likely need to sleep with the lights on after a viewing of this terrorizing tale. And if this movie leaves you wanting more… the sequel – IT Chapter 2, hit cinemas in September and should probably be still screening at select cinemas across the region.
Family Halloween Flicks:
Coraline (2009)
Based on the popular book, Coraline follows a young girl who accidentally finds herself in an eerie version of her own world.
Goosebumps (2015)
Jack Black stars in the thrilling live-action version of R.L. Stine’s popular books. Kids and adults will love seeing their favorite Goosebumps monsters terrorize and trick a charming small town. Yikes! And while you are at it, also watch its 2018 sequel Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween.
Scooby -Doo (2002)
Who said Halloween movies can’t be light, fun and mysterious? Scooby-Doo – starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Linda Cardellini and Matthew Lillard combines comedy, a few thrills.
Ghostbusters (1984)
This legendary movie features three kooky college professors who lose their university jobs. Naturally, they opt for careers in the ghost-busting business, and they team up to de-haunt houses and save people from the supernatural. We dare you to watch this classic without singing “who ya gonna call!” The 2016 Ghostbusters stars an all-female cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wig and Kate McKinnon – down right hilarious! Summer 2020 will also witness the release of yet another Ghostbusters movie… we can’t wait!
The Adams Family (1991)
Did anyone else wish they were part of the Addams family after watching this classic? Talk about one freakishly cool family!
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Monsters need vacations too, which is this premise behind this animated feature starring the voices of Adam Sandler as Count Dracula and Selena Gomez as his daughter, Mavis. While you are at it, also watch its sequels: Hotel Transylvania 2 and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.
Monster House (2006)
The scariest house on the street has a mind of its own in this spirited adventure story.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Eddie Murphy and his family take on the spooky residents of a neglected mansion in this Disney favorite that’s suitable for the whole family.
We ‘witch’ you a Happy Halloween!
Sources: Cosmopolitan, Country Living and Glamour
Cinema is appealing to a more diverse group of consumers than ever before, making it an attractive platform for many brands to utilize. In order to ensure brands reach and engage their target audience effectively with their cinema promotion, there are certain consumer trends to be kept in mind, considering their potential impact on the outcome of a campaign.
The following article was published on LinkedIn by Casey Story – Organization Development Professional | Learning & Development Specialist | Sales Trainer & Coach
Kurt Wagner from Recode Media wrote an article stating that, “2019 will mark the first-time digital ad spend in the US outpaces TV and print combined.” Marketers will attest to this trend as there is a noticeable change in expectations among clients. Media planning conversations use to focus mostly around aspects including: Audience, engagement, reach, recall, like-ability, however the stakes have been shifting since 2008. Which most will remember as the year we all started walking around with cash registers in our pockets (personal smartphones).
Shifting of expectations from brands are steering agencies and media sales professionals to steer towards a ‘Positive Business Outcome’ approach to their media strategy. These teams are now focused on identifying the right consumers, reaching them in the right environment, engaging with them at the right time, and on the right devices to achieve and prove delivery of the KPI’s set forth by their clients.
While digital advertising allows brands to achieve several of these key components in the new outcome-based approach to planning, there are several considerations including: identifying the right consumers, reaching them in the right environment and engaging with them at the right time, that must still be supported by other channels in the traditional media space.
The following are three US consumer trends in 2019/2020 that make cinema advertising a more viable channel than ever to support brand goals:
Subscription Movie Going is Still Alive
Similar to blockbuster, taxi services and the music industry, the movie going industry did not feel a major disruption of their consumer’s expectations for a long period of time. The model was straightforward: negotiate with studios to fill theaters and auditoriums with blockbuster hits, sell tickets and concessions, invest in capital improvements that enhance the overall experience if/when needed. The main purpose was that the content on screen should be enough to encourage consumers to spend $10-20 dollars per ticket to see the films. Here’s where MoviePass makes its entrance.
The long-term arithmetic reflected in MoviePass’ model made it clear that without improved compensation from the circuits, the company was working on both borrowed time and money. As we know, the negotiation never happened, and MoviePass has been written down by its holding company.
The low-cost subscription model that MoviePass introduced however dramatically changed the consumer expectation regarding the cost of going to the movies. For the first time in years the exhibitors (Cinemark, Regal, AMC) have had to adjust their pricing strategy and are introducing subscription plans of their own. These actions have been well received by consumers. AMC recently announced that since launching their Stubbs A-List program (a $19.95 monthly subscription) in June of 2018, they have enrolled over 700,000 members.
This trend is important for advertisers considering cinema campaigns, because the data shows that when consumers have access to lower priced movie tickets, they see more movies. In the same article published in Variety, AMC noted that Stubbs A-List members had accounted for over 14 million movie ticket sales in the same amount of time.
Cinemark, Regal, and regional affiliates throughout the US are all working to finalize or develop their own subscription-based models to adapt to this shift in consumer expectation. What this means for advertisers is that passionate movie goers, those same consumers that drive 73% of spending in the US will be coming out in record numbers to their local movie theaters throughout 2019 because for the first time in years, they have a more affordable way of doing so.
Hollywood’s Franchise Era
The question, “When will Hollywood introduce us to new stories?” often rings in the minds of movie-goers alike. Ben Fritz’s book The Big Picture – The Fight for the Future of Movies answers this and discusses Hollywood’s shift towards the ‘franchise movie model’.
The reality is most consumers want two things when they choose to go to the movies:
Consumers may argue that they would prefer more adult dramas, romantic comedies, horror films, etc. However, the facts (historical ticket sales), reveal otherwise.
Looking at 2019’s slate of films, it is safe to say that we are in the heart of the Hollywood franchise era. The opportunities to experience something larger than life and culturally relevant are already driving record box office sales.
Captain Marvel (2019) made a total of $1,126,129,839 at the Worldwide Box Office. While remakes of popular Disney classics have been making cinema rounds. Classics such as: Dumbo made a total of $347,866,307 since its release in March 2019. Cinema-goers have also witnessed a rise in live-action remakes of popular Disney films this year, with movies such as The Lion King which made a whooping $1,638,761,919 at the box-office (to date). Whereas, the live-action version Aladdin’s live action version made a total of $1,037,017,346 since its release in May 2019.
From the Marvel Universe, the concluding film of the franchise- Avengers: End Game broke records at the box-office banking a total of$2,795,473,000 and continued to run in cinemas for 20 weeks across cinemas in the US.
The last quarter of the year holds great promise for the box office with mega sequels such as Frozen II, Jumanji: The Next Level and the concluding film of the Star Wars series: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker soon to release across cinemas worldwide.
Advertisers considering cinema campaigns should look closely at the historical success of the franchise model in domestic ticket sales. In the last four years, the highest grossing movies yearly in the US have come from within a franchise. This trend appears to continue throughout 2019. With the increased occurrence that moviegoers will be visiting theaters due to: Lower priced subscription service tickets and quality of content, advertisers have a unique opportunity to extend their reach among this audience year round.
Content Marketing: A Driving Force for Customer Connections
As digital spending eclipses traditional media spend this year, the digital marketplace has certainly become increasingly noisy. When adopting a positive business outcome marketing strategy, the goal is less about a brand’s ability to yell louder and more often than their competition. The goal, hence must shift, and brands must identify innovative ways to engage with their audience in an authentic manner, a trend that is leading the shift toward content marketing.
There are generally two approaches to developing a content marketing strategy:
When a brand has done well adopting either strategy, they pull their audience to their message instead of simply pushing more content into an already crowded marketplace. The impressions delivered from a content marketing strategy are much more valuable because customers actively seek out the content and actively share the message to other, like-minded, potential consumers.
Cinema is one of the last channels available for brands to tell an authentic story, at scale, in an environment with no ad skipping devices, and in front of consumers looking to be entertained.
Content marketing pieces delivered in this environment cut through the noise. Campaigns resonate with consumers, and the transparency of the cinema platform provides piece of mind for brands seeking to reclaim bot served impressions and eliminate wastage of advertising resources.
Are these trends similar in the Middle East?
Movie Ticket Offers
Leading cinema chains in the Middle East have tied up with mobile network providers (Example – du and Etisalat in UAE), offering cinemagoers to buy one movie ticket and get the other free. Similarly, numerous banks also provide customers a range of Debit and Credit card offers to availing movie-ticket and/or a free upgrade on the size of popcorn and beverages at the candy counter. Certain bank cards also offer moviegoers a buy 1 get one get one free movie ticket deal.
Such offers affirm the fact that when consumers have access to lower priced movie tickets, the frequency of cinema visits increase.
Love for Franchise Films
The craze among movie-goers for popular franchise films isn’t limited to the United States alone. Cinema statistics in the Middle East reveal the love and commitment among movie-goers in the region.
Following are statistics of UAE admissions for MEGA blockbuster franchise films:
Captain Marvel (2019)
Ran for 12 weeks and did over 425K admissions
Dumbo (2019)
Ran for 12 weeks and did over 180K admissions
The Lion King (2019)
Did over 697K admissions in the first 8 weeks since release
*The movie is still screening across select cinemas in the UAE
Avengers: End Game (2019)
Ran for 15 weeks and did over 848K admissions
Cinema Experiences like Never Before
A number of cinema chains in the Middle East offer unique cinema experiences – thus catering to the increasing demand by cinemagoers to watch movies like never-seen before. Audiences can now enjoy the latest blockbusters on mega screens such as IMAX, MAX, Dolby Cinema, nibble on gourmet delights at Dine-in Cinemas or opt for a luxury experience such as Gold by Rhodes, Theatre by Rhodes and Platinum Suites, while lounging in a comfy reclining seats, or dive into action on with 4DX and ScreenX.
VOX Cinemas recently launched a concept of ‘Distraction- Free Cinema’ to ensure cinemagoers immerse themselves entirely in the cinematic experience by tuning out all the distractions from theatres which include: no use of mobile phones or smartwatches, no late arrivals and no guests under the age of 18. Ninja-like staff are on surveillance inside the cinema throughout the screening.
In summary….
As price discovery, consumer targeting capabilities continue to improve the effectiveness of a brand’s digital execution, it’s important for marketers to identify the channels that allow them to reach a brand’s right consumer, in the right environment, at the right time, with a creative and authentic message.
Based on the forecast of movies, the trends in consumer behavior, and a shift in how brands are building relationships with their audience, there has never been a better time to double down in the cinema space.
Source: LinkedIn, Vox.com, AdAge, The Numbers, MVM Statistics
The Terminator first said “I’ll be back” in 1984, and he was right, several times over!
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and franchise co-creator James Cameron will return in Terminator: Dark Fate (a direct sequel to their Terminator 2: Judgment Day), releasing across cinemas in the Middle East on 31st October, 2019.
Watch the trailer of Terminator: Dark Fate:
And now here’s everything we know about Terminator: Dark Fate ….
Plot:
According to Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox – 27 years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, a new, modified liquid metal Terminator (Gabriel Luna) is sent from the future by Skynet in order to terminate Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), a hybrid cyborg human (Mackenzie Davis), and her friends. Sarah Connor comes to their aid, as well as the original Terminator, for a fight for the future.
James Cameron – who directed the first two films and produced this one, told The Hollywood Reporter that Terminator: Dark Fate is meant to continue the story from Terminator 1 and Terminator 2.
“And we’re pretending the other films were a bad dream. Or an alternate timeline, which is permissible in our multi-verse. This was really driven more by [director Tim Miller] than anybody, surprisingly, because I came in pretty agnostic about where we took it. The only thing I insisted on was that we somehow revamp it and reinvent it for the 21st century,” said Cameron
Rating:
Terminator: Dark Fate doesn’t have an official rating from the MPAA. However, James Cameron has confirmed that the movie will be Rated R (Restricted).
“I think, tonally, what makes this a direct sequel to T1 and T2 is as much about the tone as it is about the narrative: It’s R rated, it’s grim, it’s gritty, it’s fast, it’s intense, it’s very linear. The whole story takes place in 36 hours. It’s not this kind of grandiose, complex story. It’s just very focused on the characters, it’s very now, it’s very present and it’s just a fast white-knuckle ride,” said James Cameron.
As of now, the rating in the UAE stands at 18+ – subject to change close upon the date of release.
Director:
Tim Miller had a previous career in Visual Effects. His work has been seen in movies such as Thor: The Dark World and David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Miller made his directorial debut with Deadpool, and had the odds stacked against him. Miller made the project on a modest budget by superhero movie standards, and utilized a character that wasn’t a household name. But all that changed with the first movie, which proved an R-rated superhero blockbuster could make a ton of money at the box office.
Terminator: Dark Fate will be Miller’s second huge feature. On the choice to pivot to such a beloved franchise, Miller states: I think you’d get the same answer from pretty much any nerd you’d ask, which is these movies, because they were the seminal sci-fi movies of the decade when they came out, they had a big influence on a lot of people, especially at my age. Star Wars and Terminator were the two biggest franchises that made me want to get into this. The idea that I could continue this story is unbelievable to me.”
The pressure is certainly on for Miller to deliver on his sophomore run as a director, especially given how much moviegoers love James Cameron’s set of Terminator movies.
Cast:
Sarah Connor – The now 62-year old Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor! She appeared in The Terminator (1984) as the future mother of John Connor (played by Eddie Furlong in Terminator 2), eventual leader of the Resistance in the war against Skynet. But she’s so much more than that. Having started out as a damsel in distress in the 1984 film, she returned in 1991’s classic Terminator 2 as a transformed muscled machine – becoming an action hero icon.
T-800 – 71-year old Arnold Schwarzenegger will return to his T-800 role for this film. Terminator: Dark Fate will see T-800 – who now seems to live in the woods, brought back to help our heroes with their latest mission.
Grace – Mackenzie Davis has another new leading role for the Terminator franchise. The first photo from Terminator: Dark Fate showed markings on Grace’s body. She’s expected to be a ‘soldier-assassin’ – human with cybernetic alterations to better fight terminators. Fans will know Mackenzie Davis from films Blade Runner 2049 and The Martian.
Dani Ramos – Colombian actress Natalia Reyes will play Dani Ramos – one of the new leading roles, a young woman targeted for termination by Rev 9 (a high-tech Terminator similar to the T-1000). There’s speculation that Dani may anchor the Terminator franchise from here, if they do end up making more films. This appears to be Natalia Reyes’ first American role – quite a debut!
Terminator – Actor Gabriel Luna (who played Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider on ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) will play the villainous Terminator Rev 9 in this film. One of the key things we know about this Terminator is that he has liquid metal capabilities and can duplicate himself.
Might there be a Terminator 7?
The Terminator franchise has nothing official on the books other than Terminator: Dark Fate. However, it has always managed to make a comeback.
There are fans who believe this next film – Terminator: Dark Fate, needs to end the franchise, however, box office will most likely be the deciding factor as to whether there will be a Terminator 7. We’ll just have to wait and see!
Here are some statistics for previous films in the Terminator franchise:
Terminator: Genisys (2015)
Worldwide Box Office – $432,150,894|
UAE – Ran for 8 weeks and did over 235K admissions
Terminator: Salvation (2009)
Worldwide Box Office – $365,491,792
Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines (2003)
Worldwide Box Office – $433,058,296
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
Worldwide Box Office – $515,419,827
The Terminator (1984)
Worldwide Box Office – $78,019,031
Boxoffice Pro is projecting Terminator: Dark Fate to make between $35-45 Million in its US opening, which would be a great comeback for the Terminator film series since it’s last release in 2015.
Don’t miss out on advertising alongside the latest film from the iconic Terminator franchise. Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities.
Sources: CinemaBlend, Fandom, Digital Trends, The Numbers, The Verge, Collider, IMDb and MVM Analysis
The UN World Food Programme partners with SAWA for yet another global cinema campaign to keep the voice of millions of children alive.
Motivate Val Morgan has joined the next phase of “Feed our Future”, a global cinema campaign that shines light on the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) life-saving work on the frontlines of world hunger.
The ad started screening on Thursday 26th September 2019 across 19 Motivate Val Morgan serviced VOX Cinemas locations in UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, and will run for a period of 8 weeks.
UAE:
Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi), Yas Mall (Abu Dhabi), Nation Towers (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Jimi Mall, City Centre Ajman, City Centre Sharjah, City Centre Fujairah, Al Hamra Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates, Mercato Mall, Burjuman, Cineplex Grand Hyatt, City Centre Shindagha and Aloft City Centre Deira
Qatar:
Doha Festival City
Bahrain:
The Avenues
Motivate Val Morgan supports the “Feed our Future” cinema campaign as part of a unique partnership between SAWA – Global Cinema Advertising Association, and WFP – leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.
The new campaign aims to build on last year’s results that helped to double awareness of WFP among those who saw the ad and raised more than half a million dollars through online giving or through a 38% increase in downloads of the agency’s Share the Meal donation App, globally.
“We have every reason to believe that this year, the Feed our Future campaign is going to take us even further in terms of raising WFP brand visibility and engaging a wider audience in the fight against global hunger,” said Corinne Woods, Chief Marketing Officer at WFP. “We think that this year’s campaign is even more emotionally engaging and we expect more people will respond to our call. In a world full of noise, cinema has proven incredibly effective for us at cutting through to not only establish our brand, but also to convert cinema goers into active supporters and donors.”
“The Cinema Medium makes the most of its space, creative and audience to deliver gripping content, showing consumers advertising at its very best,” said Cheryl Wannell, CEO of SAWA. “In 2020 the Cinema Medium is predicted to become the fastest-growing ad medium ahead of the internet. For brands like the World Food Programme who want to reach the hearts and minds of millennials, the immersive experience that Cinema gives is the most powerful of all storytelling mediums.”
The creative force behind the new advertisement is Sir John Hegarty, of The Garage SOHO, who has delivered a product designed to appeal directly to cinema audiences. The advert highlights the potential lost to the world when children’s voices are silenced due to hunger. The poignant narrative of the ad sees a group of Syrian refugee children who were selected from the local community playing in rubble and gazing out of bombed-out buildings in an apparent war zone. Softly, a small chorus of voices begins singing “How Can I Tell You” by Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens. As the short film progresses, one by one these children disappear until only one voice remains — an unnerving conclusion that mirrors the harsh realities faced by the 3 million children around the world who lose their lives to hunger or malnutrition.
“Cinema is still the most amazing medium for any creative person to work in. A place for you to tell your story on the ‘mother of all screens’. It’s not surprising that it’s so important and continues to capture the public’s imagination”, said Sir John Hegarty.
For more information about the “Feed Our Future” cinema campaign, and to learn how to get involved in creating a world with Zero Hunger, please visit: www.wfp.org.
Source: SAWA
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