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Where are his horns? Manip please! 
Marvel Entertainment (MVL): News & Press Releases Thread!
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Welsh superheroes sign up for Marvel comics Dec 10 2005
Gareth Morgan, Western Mail
IT might not have the same ring as Batman or Captain America, but the international comic scene is being given an increasingly Celtic flavour, with distinctly Welsh characters ... such as Gareth.
A comic book writer who has penned stories like Spiderman and The Hulk has been Welshing up the international comic scene with tales of red dragons.
Paul Jenkins, who moved to the USA in the late 1990s, has just signed an exclusive deal with Marvel, one of the biggest comic companies in the world.
But he has clearly not forgotten his homeland through characters such as Red Dragon - a fire-breathing Welshman called Gareth who wears a white and green uniform with a dragon proudly emblazoned on his chest. And they are not the only Welsh characters in cartoon land, as there is already an established character called Captain Cymru.
And among his latest characters for cult series Generation M is Ned Ralston, a large red dragon-shaped mutant who crash- lands in the middle of a busy city-centre street.
Story continues
Gareth Morgan, Western Mail
IT might not have the same ring as Batman or Captain America, but the international comic scene is being given an increasingly Celtic flavour, with distinctly Welsh characters ... such as Gareth.
A comic book writer who has penned stories like Spiderman and The Hulk has been Welshing up the international comic scene with tales of red dragons.
Paul Jenkins, who moved to the USA in the late 1990s, has just signed an exclusive deal with Marvel, one of the biggest comic companies in the world.
But he has clearly not forgotten his homeland through characters such as Red Dragon - a fire-breathing Welshman called Gareth who wears a white and green uniform with a dragon proudly emblazoned on his chest. And they are not the only Welsh characters in cartoon land, as there is already an established character called Captain Cymru.
And among his latest characters for cult series Generation M is Ned Ralston, a large red dragon-shaped mutant who crash- lands in the middle of a busy city-centre street.
Story continues
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Dec. 14, 2005, 2:25PM
(BW) Marvel Entertainment, Inc., NCsoft Corporation, NC Interactive, Inc., Cryptic Studios, Inc. Settle All Litigation
By Business Editors
(c) 2005 Business Wire
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2005--Marvel Entertainment, Inc., NCsoft(R) Corporation, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios(TM), Inc. are pleased to announce today that they have amicably settled all claims brought by Marvel and all claims brought by NCsoft, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios, Inc. The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters. Therefore, no changes to City of Heroes(R) or City of Villains'(TM) character creation engine are part of the settlement. The parties have agreed that protecting intellectual property rights is critically important and each will continue aggressively to protect such rights in accordance with all applicable laws. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.
(BW) Marvel Entertainment, Inc., NCsoft Corporation, NC Interactive, Inc., Cryptic Studios, Inc. Settle All Litigation
By Business Editors
(c) 2005 Business Wire
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2005--Marvel Entertainment, Inc., NCsoft(R) Corporation, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios(TM), Inc. are pleased to announce today that they have amicably settled all claims brought by Marvel and all claims brought by NCsoft, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios, Inc. The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters. Therefore, no changes to City of Heroes(R) or City of Villains'(TM) character creation engine are part of the settlement. The parties have agreed that protecting intellectual property rights is critically important and each will continue aggressively to protect such rights in accordance with all applicable laws. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.
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Marvel Comics finds inspiration in Dundee
By Senay Boztas
ASCOTTISH writer has persuaded Marvel Comics to branch out of conventionally drawn strips and develop its first photo story.
Mark Millar, a consultant to Marvel, has written the script for a revolutionary type of adventure comic and persuaded Marvel to invest millions of dollars in almost 100 actors, special effects and a video diary of the project.
Entitled 1985, the project re-invents the photo-story medium, formerly used for romance tales in teenage girls magazines such as the now defunct Jackie and Patches, both formerly produced by Dundee-based publisher DC Thomson.
It features superhero favourites including Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Captain America. Shooting began in American desert locations last week and the comic book and film writer will visit in January to see how his idea is progressing.
I genuinely think this is the future of comics, he told the Sunday Herald. Its like the excitement of mums generation going from black-and-white to colour television, going from something that is 2D to people on the page.
Americans have never seen photocomics or heard of anything like the old Jackie magazine. This is like a multi- million-dollar version of Jackie: we are taking it to the next level. This has the potential to be Marvels Narnia.
The story which is unrelated to 1984, the classic dystopian novel by George Orwell follows a little boy in the Midwest who suffers from a psychological disorder and cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. He begins to see Marvel villains appearing in his home town, but nobody believes him because of his condition. However, it soon becomes apparent that they are real as people start to die in mysterious circumstances.
Millar, who says it has needed all his powers of persuasion to take the project forward, believes it will make the most of computer-generated effects in the same way that computer animation has revolutionised the movie industry.
Marvels team has scouted for locations, built sets, created superhero costumes and monster models and hired almost 100 actors, including fire-suited stuntmen to be set alight. The storyboard is drawn up and actors photographed in position, then combined with the storyboard with the help of computer artists, creating a succession of what will look like film stills.
Millar has previously reinvented Superman as a Soviet hero, created gay superheroes in The Authority, worked on Ultimate X-Men and brought religion into comic books with Chosen, imagining Jesus born in the Midwest. His ultra-violent book Wanted has been optioned for a feature film by Universal and Sony has asked him to write a screenplay for Chosen.
Although this new photographed format has the potential for more tie-ins with films, Millar says the first crop of actors are all unknowns, in order not to date the book or attach it too firmly to their future characters.
This years hot star is yesterdays Heath Ledger, and I wanted this book to be in hardback forever, charming and timeless, he said. Nobodys ever done a book like this before. Between building sets, hiring actors and making costumes its cost Marvel a fortune, and Ive had to use all my goodwill to get it made.
It feels very similar to directing a movie. Nothing as ambitious as this has ever been tried and its something Ive wanted to do for a long time.
Some comics aficionados expressed some doubts about whether the form could work, however.
Martin Biff Averre, owner of Ace Comics, the online and Essex-based store, said: I have heard rumours about this, but it has never worked with British girls comics because artwork has a fluidity and can suggest movement, whereas photos are photos unless the computer enhancement is good.
So unless they can get over this hurdle, people wont be jumping up and down.
Nobody from Marvel Comics was available for comment.
18 December 2005
By Senay Boztas
ASCOTTISH writer has persuaded Marvel Comics to branch out of conventionally drawn strips and develop its first photo story.
Mark Millar, a consultant to Marvel, has written the script for a revolutionary type of adventure comic and persuaded Marvel to invest millions of dollars in almost 100 actors, special effects and a video diary of the project.
Entitled 1985, the project re-invents the photo-story medium, formerly used for romance tales in teenage girls magazines such as the now defunct Jackie and Patches, both formerly produced by Dundee-based publisher DC Thomson.
It features superhero favourites including Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Captain America. Shooting began in American desert locations last week and the comic book and film writer will visit in January to see how his idea is progressing.
I genuinely think this is the future of comics, he told the Sunday Herald. Its like the excitement of mums generation going from black-and-white to colour television, going from something that is 2D to people on the page.
Americans have never seen photocomics or heard of anything like the old Jackie magazine. This is like a multi- million-dollar version of Jackie: we are taking it to the next level. This has the potential to be Marvels Narnia.
The story which is unrelated to 1984, the classic dystopian novel by George Orwell follows a little boy in the Midwest who suffers from a psychological disorder and cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. He begins to see Marvel villains appearing in his home town, but nobody believes him because of his condition. However, it soon becomes apparent that they are real as people start to die in mysterious circumstances.
Millar, who says it has needed all his powers of persuasion to take the project forward, believes it will make the most of computer-generated effects in the same way that computer animation has revolutionised the movie industry.
Marvels team has scouted for locations, built sets, created superhero costumes and monster models and hired almost 100 actors, including fire-suited stuntmen to be set alight. The storyboard is drawn up and actors photographed in position, then combined with the storyboard with the help of computer artists, creating a succession of what will look like film stills.
Millar has previously reinvented Superman as a Soviet hero, created gay superheroes in The Authority, worked on Ultimate X-Men and brought religion into comic books with Chosen, imagining Jesus born in the Midwest. His ultra-violent book Wanted has been optioned for a feature film by Universal and Sony has asked him to write a screenplay for Chosen.
Although this new photographed format has the potential for more tie-ins with films, Millar says the first crop of actors are all unknowns, in order not to date the book or attach it too firmly to their future characters.
This years hot star is yesterdays Heath Ledger, and I wanted this book to be in hardback forever, charming and timeless, he said. Nobodys ever done a book like this before. Between building sets, hiring actors and making costumes its cost Marvel a fortune, and Ive had to use all my goodwill to get it made.
It feels very similar to directing a movie. Nothing as ambitious as this has ever been tried and its something Ive wanted to do for a long time.
Some comics aficionados expressed some doubts about whether the form could work, however.
Martin Biff Averre, owner of Ace Comics, the online and Essex-based store, said: I have heard rumours about this, but it has never worked with British girls comics because artwork has a fluidity and can suggest movement, whereas photos are photos unless the computer enhancement is good.
So unless they can get over this hurdle, people wont be jumping up and down.
Nobody from Marvel Comics was available for comment.
18 December 2005
D
DarkMurdock
Guest
Any news on Daredevil 2? Why won't Fox just greenlight it, they must have made a good bundle of money on the first movie.
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DarkMurdock said:
Fox will lose their rights in 2007. They're the goofs who chose Ben Affleck so let's hope Marvel get's it back since Avi said they'd fasttrack Daredevil 2 if they got the rights back.
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Man would I love a DD2 or a DD restart. But please,get rid of Affleck 
AVEITWITHJAMON
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Sabretooth said:Man would I love a DD2 or a DD restart. But please,get rid of Affleck
I really don't like Affleck at all. He ruined that film for me. Daredevil had a great story, great visuals, but Affleck was totally unbelieveable as an action hero with his chubby body jumping 300 ft and doing flips everywhere yet in the playground he was all clumy and slow in a sad attempt to hide the fact he can't act and has no physical skills. Remember his on tape interview when he was drunk talking about Daredevil 2.
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Press ReleaseNews America Marketing, a division of News Corporation, has announced an agreement with Marvel Entertainment, Inc. through which it has obtained the rights to publish collectible editions of Marvel Comic's original Amazing Spider-Man series beginning early next Fall. The web-slinger is the world's most renowned Super Hero.
The re-issue of the series will start with the original issue #1, first published in 1963. There has lately been tremendous public interest in the origins of fabled Super Heroes and legends, reflected by the popularity of the recent Spider-Man movies and other feature films.
"Consumers want to know how their favorite Super Heroes became 'super,'" said Robert Sabouni, Vice President of Custom Publishing, Marvel Comics. "What better way to tell the story than through the original comic books themselves?"
The original Amazing Spider-Man comic books will be distributed in Sunday papers through News America Marketing's network that includes more than 1,100 newspapers. "The vehicle is a natural one, since Sunday papers are known for their comics and News America's free-standing coupon insert, SmartSource Magazine, is already distributed the same way," said Paul V. Carlucci, Chairman and CEO of News America Marketing.
"The initiative is bound to have tremendous cross-generational appeal, as millions of fans grew up with the comic books and new fans are being cultivated every day," Carlucci continued. "In a time of fragmented interests and attention spans, advertisers see this as a unique opportunity to reach both parents and their children, who have a significant influence on family buying decisions."
Jesse Aversano, EVP, Marketing, News America Marketing, added, "Charter advertisers have already expressed a great deal of interest," said "We're offering an entry into 10 million households, through a vehicle that appeals to both adults and children. It would be nearly impossible to achieve those numbers through television or a single magazine or newspaper. We're delivering a mass audience at a time when consumers' focus is increasingly splintered."
The Spider-Man comic book will have a circulation of 10 million across major metro markets throughout the U.S. Each original book will be split in two, published on consecutive weeks, with 46 publication dates a year. News America's first publication of Marvel's original Amazing Spider-Man will be in late summer 2006, during the height of the back-to-
school time period.
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Press Release Source: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing Enters Into Licensing Agreement With Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for a New Line of Interactive Books
Monday January 30, 10:31 am ET
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Reader's Digest Children's Publishing today announced an agreement to publish and distribute interactive books based on the popular Marvel Heroes program to children ages four through eleven in the United States, Canada and the U.K. beginning in fall of 2006.
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Reader's Digest Children's Publishing plans a diverse Marvel publishing program featuring such popular characters as Spider-Man, the X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four and the Avengers. The first line will include hard cover books, Storybooks with DVDs, and the popular Movie Theater Storybook® format.
"The addition of Marvel Heroes to our growing roster of renowned children's brands gives us the opportunity to focus on developing titles for boys," said Rosanne McManus, Associate Director, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing. "We look for evergreen properties to introduce into innovative book formats and Marvel fits that bill."
"We are pleased to add Readers Digest as a key licensee in Marvel's children's publishing program. Readers Digest has pushed the boundaries of the category with highly innovative products and we eagerly await to see this creativity applied to the first set of Marvel books," said Bruno Maglione, President, Marvel International.
Distributed by Simon & Schuster and available for purchase through retail and online bookstores nationally, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing will release five Marvel titles priced between $9.99 and $24.99 in 2006.
About Reader's Digest Children's Publishing
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing has trade distribution in the United States, Canada and the UK, and produces co-editions in over 25 languages and 31 countries. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world. Global headquarters are located at Pleasantville, NY. The company's main website is at http://www.rd.com.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
Marvel, and all related character names and likenesses thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.marvel.com.
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing Enters Into Licensing Agreement With Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for a New Line of Interactive Books
Monday January 30, 10:31 am ET
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Reader's Digest Children's Publishing today announced an agreement to publish and distribute interactive books based on the popular Marvel Heroes program to children ages four through eleven in the United States, Canada and the U.K. beginning in fall of 2006.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing plans a diverse Marvel publishing program featuring such popular characters as Spider-Man, the X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four and the Avengers. The first line will include hard cover books, Storybooks with DVDs, and the popular Movie Theater Storybook® format.
"The addition of Marvel Heroes to our growing roster of renowned children's brands gives us the opportunity to focus on developing titles for boys," said Rosanne McManus, Associate Director, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing. "We look for evergreen properties to introduce into innovative book formats and Marvel fits that bill."
"We are pleased to add Readers Digest as a key licensee in Marvel's children's publishing program. Readers Digest has pushed the boundaries of the category with highly innovative products and we eagerly await to see this creativity applied to the first set of Marvel books," said Bruno Maglione, President, Marvel International.
Distributed by Simon & Schuster and available for purchase through retail and online bookstores nationally, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing will release five Marvel titles priced between $9.99 and $24.99 in 2006.
About Reader's Digest Children's Publishing
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing has trade distribution in the United States, Canada and the UK, and produces co-editions in over 25 languages and 31 countries. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world. Global headquarters are located at Pleasantville, NY. The company's main website is at http://www.rd.com.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
Marvel, and all related character names and likenesses thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.marvel.com.
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MGA Entertainment Secures Multi-Year License for Die-Cast Vehicles Based upon Marvel Super Hero Universe
VAN NUYS, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2006--MGA Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced today a license under which Marvel has granted MGA Entertainment rights to its world-renowned Super Hero universe that features more than 5,000 characters, including Spider-Man, X-Men, The Fantastic Four and Captain America, for the die-cast and toy vehicle category. The agreement covers the classic comic book look of the characters; upcoming Marvel-inspired films, including "Ghost Rider" and "Spider-Man 3"; and Marvel's pre-school property
Through the agreement, MGA will develop a range of Marvel Super Hero products, including personality- and movie-based die-cast cars and remote control vehicles. Initial products in the RC category will begin hitting retail immediately.
"We are extremely grateful for this opportunity," said Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment. "With the great Super Heroes and characters of Marvel combined with our product innovation and passion, we will create winning product across all these exciting categories."
Tim Rothwell, Worldwide President, Consumer Media Group at Marvel Entertainment, added, "MGA has established itself as a true innovator. This agreement will further our mission of extending the reach and retail presence of the overall Marvel brand by teaming with category leaders with the marketing savvy, product innovation and distribution strength to maximize awareness of their Marvel product lines."
Juli Boylan, Sr. Vice President of Sony Pictures Consumer Products, the limited partner in Spider-Man Merchandising LP, stated, "MGA has proven they can continually create fresh products to sustain a successful brand, which is why we're thrilled to have them on board for `Spider-Man 3.'"
About MGA Entertainment
MGA Entertainment, a consumer entertainment products company headquartered in Van Nuys, manufactures innovative lines of proprietary and licensed products, including toys and games, dolls, consumer electronics, home decor, stationery, and sporting goods. BRATZ was introduced in June 2001, and has since become one of the world's premiere toy lines and girls' lifestyle brands. The BRATZ brand is also noted for having won Family Fun magazine's Toy of the Year Award four years in a row. With over 350 licensees worldwide, BRATZ brings together innovative companies and cutting-edge fashion styles to create exciting new products in apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, entertainment and so much more. Please visit: www.mgae.com, www.bratz.com
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent, character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television, and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.
About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP
Spider-Man Merchandising, LP is the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc., which oversees the licensing and merchandising for the Columbia Pictures "Spider-Man" feature films, and is overseeing the licensing and merchandising for Columbia Pictures "Spider-Man(TM) 3" feature film.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP), a Division of Columbia Tristar Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television. Columbia Tristar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
2006 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.
Marvel, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America and related characters are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used under license. TM & (C) 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark
VAN NUYS, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2006--MGA Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced today a license under which Marvel has granted MGA Entertainment rights to its world-renowned Super Hero universe that features more than 5,000 characters, including Spider-Man, X-Men, The Fantastic Four and Captain America, for the die-cast and toy vehicle category. The agreement covers the classic comic book look of the characters; upcoming Marvel-inspired films, including "Ghost Rider" and "Spider-Man 3"; and Marvel's pre-school property
Through the agreement, MGA will develop a range of Marvel Super Hero products, including personality- and movie-based die-cast cars and remote control vehicles. Initial products in the RC category will begin hitting retail immediately.
"We are extremely grateful for this opportunity," said Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment. "With the great Super Heroes and characters of Marvel combined with our product innovation and passion, we will create winning product across all these exciting categories."
Tim Rothwell, Worldwide President, Consumer Media Group at Marvel Entertainment, added, "MGA has established itself as a true innovator. This agreement will further our mission of extending the reach and retail presence of the overall Marvel brand by teaming with category leaders with the marketing savvy, product innovation and distribution strength to maximize awareness of their Marvel product lines."
Juli Boylan, Sr. Vice President of Sony Pictures Consumer Products, the limited partner in Spider-Man Merchandising LP, stated, "MGA has proven they can continually create fresh products to sustain a successful brand, which is why we're thrilled to have them on board for `Spider-Man 3.'"
About MGA Entertainment
MGA Entertainment, a consumer entertainment products company headquartered in Van Nuys, manufactures innovative lines of proprietary and licensed products, including toys and games, dolls, consumer electronics, home decor, stationery, and sporting goods. BRATZ was introduced in June 2001, and has since become one of the world's premiere toy lines and girls' lifestyle brands. The BRATZ brand is also noted for having won Family Fun magazine's Toy of the Year Award four years in a row. With over 350 licensees worldwide, BRATZ brings together innovative companies and cutting-edge fashion styles to create exciting new products in apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, entertainment and so much more. Please visit: www.mgae.com, www.bratz.com
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent, character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television, and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.
About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP
Spider-Man Merchandising, LP is the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc., which oversees the licensing and merchandising for the Columbia Pictures "Spider-Man" feature films, and is overseeing the licensing and merchandising for Columbia Pictures "Spider-Man(TM) 3" feature film.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP), a Division of Columbia Tristar Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television. Columbia Tristar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
2006 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.
Marvel, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America and related characters are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used under license. TM & (C) 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark
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Press Release Source: Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro Announces Completion of Marvel License
Friday February 3, 4:58 pm ET
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2006--Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS - News) today announced that the Federal Trade Commission has terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to Hasbro's license agreement with Marvel. With termination of the waiting period, Hasbro's license agreement with Marvel Characters, Inc. and Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. is now effective. This license grants Hasbro toy and game rights to Marvel's renowned Super Hero franchises such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men and Captain America. Hasbro will now have the right to bring those toys and games to retail beginning January 1, 2007.
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About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NYSE:HAS - News) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. ©2006 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.
About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP
Spider-Man Merchandising, LP is the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc., which oversees the licensing and merchandising for the Columbia Pictures Spider-Man feature films, and is overseeing the licensing and merchandising for Columbia Pictures Spider-Man(TM) 3 feature film.
Marvel, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America, and related characters are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used under license. TM & © 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
Contact:
Hasbro, Inc.
Karen A. Warren (Investor Relations)
401-727-5401
or
Wayne S. Charness (News Media)
401-727-5983
Hasbro Announces Completion of Marvel License
Friday February 3, 4:58 pm ET
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2006--Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS - News) today announced that the Federal Trade Commission has terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to Hasbro's license agreement with Marvel. With termination of the waiting period, Hasbro's license agreement with Marvel Characters, Inc. and Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. is now effective. This license grants Hasbro toy and game rights to Marvel's renowned Super Hero franchises such as Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men and Captain America. Hasbro will now have the right to bring those toys and games to retail beginning January 1, 2007.
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About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NYSE:HAS - News) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. ©2006 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.
About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP
Spider-Man Merchandising, LP is the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc., which oversees the licensing and merchandising for the Columbia Pictures Spider-Man feature films, and is overseeing the licensing and merchandising for Columbia Pictures Spider-Man(TM) 3 feature film.
Marvel, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America, and related characters are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used under license. TM & © 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
Contact:
Hasbro, Inc.
Karen A. Warren (Investor Relations)
401-727-5401
or
Wayne S. Charness (News Media)
401-727-5983
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iO Global announces agreement with Telcogames for global supply of 3G mobile content
Friday, 3 February 2006 06:38 EST
iO Global Limited, the leading worldwide provider of integrated mobile content delivery solutions, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Telcogames Limited, the global publisher and distributor of mobile games, to provide its extensive catalogue of mobile content internationally as part of the iO Global managed service to mobile network operators. Under the terms of the agreement, iO Global will supply mobile content from the Telcogames portfolio of more than 1000 premium mobile games throughout the world. This portfolio includes leading branded content from Marvel, Mforma, Magic Productions, Ojom, Ironstone and Codemasters.
Just some of the premium games available through the relationship with Telcogames will be Ultimate Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Blade Trinity, Call of Duty 2, World Poker Tour, X-Men Legends 2, Top Gun and Football Manager 2006.
iO Global’s first deployment of Telcogames content will be as part of the new 3G mobile content managed service for O2 subsidiary Manx Telecom. This is expected to be followed by further deployments in Asia, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa.
The managed service provided by iO Global is unique in addressing the management of the full supply chain for digital content, from acquisition, packaging and pricing through to delivery and real-time billing to the end users. The service is fully automated to facilitate the marketing and delivery of dynamic content services such as games (as well as TV, newspapers, radio programmes, real music, pictures, ring tones, wallpapers etc.) to mobile devices and PCs. Based on a revenue sharing model, the iO managed service allows rich content to be delivered quickly and easily with minimal capital expenditure and up-front costs.
Martin Knestrick, Chief Executive of iO Global said: “Our service has been designed to be the number one digital content delivery service in the world. It supports the delivery of compelling content and dynamic new services, to generate greater revenues and improve profit margins by providing a better end-user experience. We are delighted to be working with Telecogames to deliver such innovative content to a wider audience”
The managed service provided by iO Global is a truly global solution, designed to enable network operators and content providers to accelerate development and delivery of digital content for 2.5G and 3G mobile content.
iO Global will be demonstrating its content management and delivery platform and the delivery of mobile content from the Telcogames catalogue via it on the iO Global stand (E96) at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona from 13-16 February 2006.
About iO:
iO Global Limited is a venture backed company, formed to develop and market complete turnkey solutions to support the delivery of mobile content. Early operations have been jointly funded by BT, one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services, and New Venture Partners LLC, the leading corporate venturing firm worldwide. The iO platform enables fast sourcing, delivery and distribution of, dynamic digital content in any format, to any device, in any location, over any network.
Friday, 3 February 2006 06:38 EST
iO Global Limited, the leading worldwide provider of integrated mobile content delivery solutions, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Telcogames Limited, the global publisher and distributor of mobile games, to provide its extensive catalogue of mobile content internationally as part of the iO Global managed service to mobile network operators. Under the terms of the agreement, iO Global will supply mobile content from the Telcogames portfolio of more than 1000 premium mobile games throughout the world. This portfolio includes leading branded content from Marvel, Mforma, Magic Productions, Ojom, Ironstone and Codemasters.
Just some of the premium games available through the relationship with Telcogames will be Ultimate Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Blade Trinity, Call of Duty 2, World Poker Tour, X-Men Legends 2, Top Gun and Football Manager 2006.
iO Global’s first deployment of Telcogames content will be as part of the new 3G mobile content managed service for O2 subsidiary Manx Telecom. This is expected to be followed by further deployments in Asia, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa.
The managed service provided by iO Global is unique in addressing the management of the full supply chain for digital content, from acquisition, packaging and pricing through to delivery and real-time billing to the end users. The service is fully automated to facilitate the marketing and delivery of dynamic content services such as games (as well as TV, newspapers, radio programmes, real music, pictures, ring tones, wallpapers etc.) to mobile devices and PCs. Based on a revenue sharing model, the iO managed service allows rich content to be delivered quickly and easily with minimal capital expenditure and up-front costs.
Martin Knestrick, Chief Executive of iO Global said: “Our service has been designed to be the number one digital content delivery service in the world. It supports the delivery of compelling content and dynamic new services, to generate greater revenues and improve profit margins by providing a better end-user experience. We are delighted to be working with Telecogames to deliver such innovative content to a wider audience”
The managed service provided by iO Global is a truly global solution, designed to enable network operators and content providers to accelerate development and delivery of digital content for 2.5G and 3G mobile content.
iO Global will be demonstrating its content management and delivery platform and the delivery of mobile content from the Telcogames catalogue via it on the iO Global stand (E96) at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona from 13-16 February 2006.
About iO:
iO Global Limited is a venture backed company, formed to develop and market complete turnkey solutions to support the delivery of mobile content. Early operations have been jointly funded by BT, one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services, and New Venture Partners LLC, the leading corporate venturing firm worldwide. The iO platform enables fast sourcing, delivery and distribution of, dynamic digital content in any format, to any device, in any location, over any network.
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MFORMA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF MARVEL MOBILE WAPSITE THROUGH MAJOR WIRELESS OPERATORS IN EUROPE
The most successful action-adventure character franchise in history becomes the biggest content library ever brought to mobile
BARCELONA, 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS — February 13, 2006 - MFORMA, the leading publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment, announced today that Marvel Mobile, a Marvel Entertainment character-based WAP portal featuring all MFORMA’s latest Marvel Super Heroes content, is now available through major wireless operators in Europe. When visiting Marvel Mobile via their mobile phones, users can find all Marvel Mobile content in one place for easy access. Games, wallpapers, still and animated images, videos, ringtones and voicetones are now available to users in one easy-to-navigate location. Marvel Mobile was developed with the understanding that Marvel Super Hero fans will appreciate and enjoy having all content based on their favourite characters available to them in one place.
MFORMA is Marvel Entertainment’s exclusive wireless licensee and will be publishing a steady stream of Marvel-based content for Marvel Mobile for mobile users worldwide. Already several Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, X-Men, Elektra, Blade, and The Fantastic Four have been brought to mobile by MFORMA in the form of mobile games and personalisation content, and more Super Heroes, such as The Incredible Hulk and Ghost Rider will be coming soon. These iconic characters represent some of the best loved characters in the world and they have a huge worldwide following, spanning all ages and all territories. All Marvel Mobile content published by MFORMA will eventually appear on the Marvel Mobile portal, which will constantly be refreshed and updated as new products are developed and new Super Heroes go mobile.
"Fans love their Super Heroes, and when they pick a favourite they love to see it represented in many ways," said Eric Hobson, president and GM of MFORMA Europe. "In mobile, same as in other mediums, Spider-Man fans, for example, will gravitate toward all Spider-Man related products and will be thrilled to see new renditions. The power of having a single destination for related mobile products was proven to us last summer when we launched microsites for our Marvel Fantastic Four content. Traffic was beyond all expectations."
The Marvel/MFORMA agreement for Marvel Mobile covers virtually ever kind of mobile entertainment content, including action, adventure and RPG games, wallpapers, images, graphics, ringtones and voicetones, mobile greeting cards and comic books, personalisation tools, video, cell phone themes, virtual character simulation, and community and lifestyle applications. The mobile operators now live in Europe are also offering regular games and contests featuring exciting prizes. Mobile users and Marvel fans can expect to see all types of content for all the most famous Marvel Super Heroes coming to Marvel Mobile soon.
"We have some really exciting promotions planned for new Marvel content―some of which will be timed with the much anticipated release of X-Men: The Last Stand this summer―that will drive people to the Marvel Mobile site," said Hobson. "We are going to make it so fun for users to check out Marvel Mobile just to see what’s new, that it will become the favourite destination in mobile."
Please visit www.marvelmobile.com
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel’s operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
About MFORMA Group, Inc.
MFORMA is a leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment. MFORMA provides wireless operators and their customers with the world's best content and brands, and provides developers and brand owners with the shortest route to market. MFORMA’s customers include more than 100 of the world’s leading wireless carriers. In addition to the industry's most comprehensive catalog of BREW, Java, SMS, MMS, and WAP games, MFORMA also provides sports, lifestyle, and information services subscription products. MFORMA’s carrier-grade platform manages the delivery of downloadable games and applications for some of the world’s largest carriers. With MFORMA, wireless operators can choose to utilize any or all of the MFORMA resources—tools, platforms and/or content. MFORMA is a U.S. corporation with offices in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, USA; London and Manchester, England; Shanghai and Beijing, China; and Seoul, Korea. Please visit www.mforma.com
Marvel, and all related characters and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. TM & &corp; 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
The most successful action-adventure character franchise in history becomes the biggest content library ever brought to mobile
BARCELONA, 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS — February 13, 2006 - MFORMA, the leading publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment, announced today that Marvel Mobile, a Marvel Entertainment character-based WAP portal featuring all MFORMA’s latest Marvel Super Heroes content, is now available through major wireless operators in Europe. When visiting Marvel Mobile via their mobile phones, users can find all Marvel Mobile content in one place for easy access. Games, wallpapers, still and animated images, videos, ringtones and voicetones are now available to users in one easy-to-navigate location. Marvel Mobile was developed with the understanding that Marvel Super Hero fans will appreciate and enjoy having all content based on their favourite characters available to them in one place.
MFORMA is Marvel Entertainment’s exclusive wireless licensee and will be publishing a steady stream of Marvel-based content for Marvel Mobile for mobile users worldwide. Already several Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, X-Men, Elektra, Blade, and The Fantastic Four have been brought to mobile by MFORMA in the form of mobile games and personalisation content, and more Super Heroes, such as The Incredible Hulk and Ghost Rider will be coming soon. These iconic characters represent some of the best loved characters in the world and they have a huge worldwide following, spanning all ages and all territories. All Marvel Mobile content published by MFORMA will eventually appear on the Marvel Mobile portal, which will constantly be refreshed and updated as new products are developed and new Super Heroes go mobile.
"Fans love their Super Heroes, and when they pick a favourite they love to see it represented in many ways," said Eric Hobson, president and GM of MFORMA Europe. "In mobile, same as in other mediums, Spider-Man fans, for example, will gravitate toward all Spider-Man related products and will be thrilled to see new renditions. The power of having a single destination for related mobile products was proven to us last summer when we launched microsites for our Marvel Fantastic Four content. Traffic was beyond all expectations."
The Marvel/MFORMA agreement for Marvel Mobile covers virtually ever kind of mobile entertainment content, including action, adventure and RPG games, wallpapers, images, graphics, ringtones and voicetones, mobile greeting cards and comic books, personalisation tools, video, cell phone themes, virtual character simulation, and community and lifestyle applications. The mobile operators now live in Europe are also offering regular games and contests featuring exciting prizes. Mobile users and Marvel fans can expect to see all types of content for all the most famous Marvel Super Heroes coming to Marvel Mobile soon.
"We have some really exciting promotions planned for new Marvel content―some of which will be timed with the much anticipated release of X-Men: The Last Stand this summer―that will drive people to the Marvel Mobile site," said Hobson. "We are going to make it so fun for users to check out Marvel Mobile just to see what’s new, that it will become the favourite destination in mobile."
Please visit www.marvelmobile.com
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel’s operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world.
About MFORMA Group, Inc.
MFORMA is a leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment. MFORMA provides wireless operators and their customers with the world's best content and brands, and provides developers and brand owners with the shortest route to market. MFORMA’s customers include more than 100 of the world’s leading wireless carriers. In addition to the industry's most comprehensive catalog of BREW, Java, SMS, MMS, and WAP games, MFORMA also provides sports, lifestyle, and information services subscription products. MFORMA’s carrier-grade platform manages the delivery of downloadable games and applications for some of the world’s largest carriers. With MFORMA, wireless operators can choose to utilize any or all of the MFORMA resources—tools, platforms and/or content. MFORMA is a U.S. corporation with offices in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, USA; London and Manchester, England; Shanghai and Beijing, China; and Seoul, Korea. Please visit www.mforma.com
Marvel, and all related characters and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc., and are used with permission. TM & &corp; 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. www.marvel.com Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
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http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/moreover/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&newsId=20060301005929&&newsLang=en&beanID=1868105982&viewID=news_view
March 01, 2006 03:00 PM US Eastern Timezone
Marvel Studios CEO, Avi Arad, and Silicon Valley Maverick, William R. Hearst III, Culminate Powerful Film and Technology Forums at Cinequest 16; Intel, Panasonic, Palm and Canon Facilitate Ahead-of-the-Curve Presentations
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2006--Cinequest announced today that Avi Arad, Chairman and CEO of Marvel Studios, will receive Cinequest's Maverick Spirit Award and participate in a dynamic conversation with venture capitalist William R. Hearst III on the art of technology -- an event culminating Cinequest's expanded Filmmaking and Technology Forums. This Meeting of Maverick Moguls event will occur on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at 3:30 p.m. at the Camera 12 Cinemas. The entire Cinequest festival runs from March 1-12, 2006, in San Jose, California, capital of the Silicon Valley.
Cinequest chose Arad for this honor because he is a master of leveraging digital technologies to tell stories which could not have been told before. Past recipients of the Maverick Spirit Award have included industry heavyweights such as Kevin Spacey, William H. Macy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Spike Lee, Gus Van Sant and Sir Ian McKellen to name a few.
"He is a mogul who has demonstrated the Maverick spirit both in his work with Marvel Studios and in his life," said Cinequest's Executive Director Halfdan Hussey. "It is this spirit which Cinequest champions and why he is a perfect fit for the Maverick Spirit Award."
Mr. Arad has been the driving force behind Marvel's Hollywood renaissance with a track record that has been nothing short of spectacular, including a string of eight consecutive No. 1 box office openings. As an executive producer and producer, his credits include Spider-Man and its sequel, Spider-Man 2 (Columbia Pictures), which set an industry record for opening day box office receipts; X-Men and X2: X-Men United (Twentieth Century Fox); The Hulk (Universal Pictures); Daredevil (New Regency); The Punisher (Lions Gate Entertainment); Blade, Blade II and Blade: Trinity (New Line Cinema); Elektra (Twentieth Century Fox); and The Fantastic Four (Twentieth Century Fox). Mr. Arad's current live-action feature film slate includes the highly anticipated May 2006 release of X3 (Twentieth Century Fox), as well as Ghost Rider (Columbia Pictures), Spider-Man 3 (Columbia Pictures) and Fantastic Four 2 (Twentieth Century Fox) -- all slated for 2007.
Cinequest discovers films, connects films to their fans and empowers film artists with the knowledge and technologies to make and distribute their visions. Cinequest has built a reputation for being a trend-setter, leading the way in promoting and exposing digital tools that aid creativity and delivery of Maverick, independent and international cinema. At Cinequest Film Festival 16 (CQFF16), Cinequest, in conjunction with exclusive partners, will present a series of forums, structured as thematic days that will empower filmmakers via exposure to cutting-edge technologies as well as wisdom and how-to knowledge from leading film professionals.
These inspiring events include: Day of the Writer, Day of the Producer, Day of the Cinematographer, Day of Post and Day of Distribution. Each forum will present experts in their field to inspire, educate and fascinate both filmmakers and film fans. Cinequest has partnered in this venture with companies such as Canon, Comerica, Dolby(R) (NYSELB), Intel (Nasdaq:INTC), Kontiki, Palm(R) (Nasdaq:PALM), and Panasonic, to name but a few. Examples of the heavyweight presenters include: Tom Rolf (editor of Taxi Driver, Heat), Mike Homer (founder, Kontiki) and Larry Thorpe (legendary innovator of 24P High Definition camera technologies).
Empower -- Connect -- Discover
The Day of series combines workshops, presentations and brainstorming sessions which will allow the filmmaker to tap into the expertise needed to utilize new technologies. These are empowering days of discovery as well as exhibition. For example, Day of Distribution and Producer events will address both traditional models as well as ground-breaking distribution solutions from Internet to Mobile to new Home Entertainment capacities. For full details on the Cinequest Forums paste the following link into your browser: http://www.cinequest.org/2006/programguide/event_view.php?eid=218
Tickets are available to all Cinequest forums online at www.cinequest.org and on the phone at (408) 295-FEST (3378).
Inspiring the Maverick in All of Us
Cinequest is a premier motion picture institute that produces: Cinequest Film Festival, a soul-stirring and personable discovery festival of international films and forums for movie lovers, Maverick film artists and students; Cinequest Online, delivering films to fans worldwide; Cinequest DVD Label; Youthquest; and Cinequest Screenwriting Competition.
Cinequest Film Festival 16 will occur March 1-12, 2006 www.cinequest.org.
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Just a bit of news today.
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http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8479766&postcount=6
Tu chucha es toda mia!Look -- Up in the Sky!
Product Placement!
By BRIAN STEINBERG
April 18, 2006
Superheroes like Superman and Spider-Man can save mankind from natural disasters, space aliens and evil mutants. But there's one thing they are powerless to stop: Advertisers shilling products within the pages of the comic books they call home.
In July, Time Warner Inc.'s DC Comics, home to characters such as Batman and Aquaman, is launching "Rush City," a six-part miniseries that boasts visible promotional support from General Motors Corp.'s Pontiac. As part of the series, a new hero known as "The Rush" will be prominently featured driving a Pontiac Solstice in the comic book. "The car will be as essential to the character as the Aston Martin was to James Bond," says David McKillips, vice president of advertising and custom publishing for DC Comics.
Over the past few months, Marvel Entertainment Inc. has begun putting the "swoosh" logo from Nike Inc. in the scenes of some of its titles, such as "New X-Men." So far, the emblem has appeared on a car door and on a character's T-shirt. "We are always looking for new and interesting ways of connecting with our consumers," says Nate Tobecksen, a Nike spokesman. "This is certainly one of them."
Last week, DaimlerChrysler AG's Dodge finalized an ad pact that will include product placements in Marvel comics. Marvel, home of Spider-Man, Captain America and Sub-Mariner, may feature Dodge's new car, the Caliber, in the books' cityscapes, including on billboards, T-shirts or signs over the next four to eight months, Joe Maimone, Marvel's advertising director, says.
Both Pontiac and Dodge are getting the product placements deals as part of larger ad buys. The two car companies are purchasing print ads as well -- the first time either auto maker has taken out an ad in a comic book.
Product placement has become commonplace in movies and TV shows. Now it's coming to comic books -- in part because the industry's two giants, DC and Marvel, are promoting some of their titles as places to reach one of Madison Avenue's most elusive audiences: guys in their 20s. Notoriously hard to reach, young adult males are known to be wary of traditional sales pitches, especially ones that get in the way of their entertainment. "It's the kind of audience that is harder and harder and harder to get to," says Dino Bernacchi, advertising manager for Pontiac.
A casual reader might miss some of the new comic-book product placements, which are meant to be part of the artwork. "When Spider-Man flies through Times Square, you don't necessarily have to draw" the signs that are there in real life, says Marvel's Mr. Maimone. "We can pretty much put anything we want, as long as it's organic and not forced." DC's Mr. McKillips says Pontiac will not have direct editorial oversight of the comic and its main character. "We're not seeking their approval on everything, and they trust us," he says. A Pontiac spokesman says the company is not involved in the creative process.
Comic books have long carried some print ads, and they typically had a youthful bent, with ads for toy soldiers, x-ray glasses and mail-order Sea Monkeys. More recent ads hawked acne medications, videogames and chewing gum.
Lately, readers of comic books have gotten older. On Madison Avenue, "there is a large misunderstanding of who is reading these titles and what they are paying attention to," says Pontiac's Mr. Bernacchi. The genre suffered a slump beginning in the early 1990s that lasted until the first Spider-Man movie was released in 2002, says Gordon Hodge, who follows the business for Thomas Weisel Partners. In that time, fans who kept buying the books have grown older, now reaching into their 20s and 30s. A recent wave of hit films featuring comic-book heroes has gotten consumers, including older ones, interested in comic books again. Mr. Hodge estimates the comic-book market is worth about $400 million to $450 million, with Marvel controlling about 37% and DC capturing around 33%.
DC and Marvel are both burnishing "networks" of titles that appeal to male readers between the ages of 18 and 34. Marvel's Mr. Maimone says the comics titles are competing with "laddie" magazines such as Emap PLC's FHM or Dennis Publishing's Maxim and Stuff.
Comic books for the older set contain grittier storylines about superheroes with distinct character flaws. Batman these days exhibits paranoid tendencies, even going so far as to construct a satellite to keep tabs on his caped associates. Green Arrow, an archer in an emerald costume who once shot trick arrows with boxing gloves instead of sharp tips, recently used a real arrow to stab a villain in the eye. (To be fair, the criminal was already blind in that socket.)
DC's Mr. McKillips says he hopes to bring in other advertisers seeking an older male. "You're going to see this year a lot more health and beauty care, shaving cream, razors, alongside the automotive," he says.
Weaving products into comics is not entirely new. DC says in the 1960s it produced comic-book series based on toys such as Captain Action or Hot Wheels, in response to advertiser relationships. The new auto-maker ads will be less overt.
Nonetheless, the product placements, which still aren't widely known, have some fans seeing red. Such ads "taint the experience," says Chuck Rozanski, founder of Mile High Comics, a Denver comics retailer. "The comic environment is designed to take you away from reality for a moment," he says. "Here we are thrusting offensive marketing products from our world into this fantasy world."
The big concern among comics aficionados seems to be whether the drawings of the products will obscure the dialogue and pictures. Laverne Mann, a Ewing, N.J., librarian who has read comics for years, hopes the books won't look "like the comic is being bought by the product," with a logo or drawing of a soda can obscuring the art. Something that takes attention away from the story would be "like a pop-up ad," says Rebecca Sutherland Borah, an associate professor of English at the University of Cincinnati who has studied comics. "I want to see all the art and words I can get."
Others see the placement as the lesser of two evils, still better than having big display ads inside the comic books. "Anything they can do to put it in front of the person in the mainline of reading is going to be a good thing," says Tommy King, who sells comics at Tales Resold in Raleigh, N.C.
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Gotta love it!
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Full article from Licensing magazine shows 101 top companies with Marvel being #4 with more details:
http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard/licensemag/142006/316899/article.pdf
http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard/licensemag/142006/316899/article.pdf
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Official!
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So has Marvel regained the rights for Thor? If that's true, it looks like Marvel has decided to drop some of the lesser named heroes such as Power Pack, Cloak and Dagger, Shang-Chi, etc.
I hope they'll keep Hawkeye though.
I hope they'll keep Hawkeye though.
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Holy **** Hippie I didn't even catch that. Shang Chi has not been dropped nor have the others. I think they just added them to the deal. They're not making all 10 films at once so they could replenish the credit line as films bring in money. No problem. The Thor thing though...didn't even catch that.
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