Everything seems to be resolving amicably but perhaps coincidentally or just because with ASM2 coming up, there’s an increase in volume, it seems like there’s been a minor increase in tensions.
From Eric Baum (re
ur proposed use of Kingpin in an online Tumblr promo which Marvel didn’t like on a creative basis):
Follow-up. After discussion with Dwight, the digital team will let the use of Kingpin character go as a battle not needed at this time. Dwight will have some discussion with Cohen about the strategy of the Bugle program and so on but not push the issue. I did discuss this in light of the concurrent issue with the ASM promotion in the Avengers Alliance game and he agrees that we should not make any change in the agreement that would allow Marvel to use the game and an enhanced relationship to the SPMN character to promote their pictures. He pointed out that there was an opportunity on the first picture where we wanted to have a small mention of Stark Industries (the Iron Man related entity) in one of our Bugle blog posts and Cohen adamantly rejected this linkage with the other more expanded Marvel Universe. Dwight is clear that in dealings with Marvel having some value to trade is an essential part of maintaining an effective cooperation.
From: Gumpert, Andrew
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 4:35 PM
Subject: RE: (I) The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Marvel Family Interactive Items / Call To Action
Got it, thx…
From: Steinberg, David
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 4:30 PM
Subject: FW: (I) The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Marvel Family Interactive Items / Call To Action
In light of the aggressive position Marvel took on the Spiderman/XMen promo issue, just wanted to give you a head’s up on the below in case it comes up in other conversations (or, if not coincidental, as an indication of an overall escalation of temperature).
Though it doesn’t seem as though there’s anything to do right now, feel free to reach out to Eric if you need more detailed information.
From: Baum, Eric
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 4:24 PM
: RE: (I) The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Marvel Family Interactive Items / Call To Action
We had a follow-up conversation today on this issue. We pitched the promotion details we want to do in the Avengers Alliance game. Seth Lehman was pushing hard on the idea that we should amend the agreement to allow Marvel to do promotions of all their movies in the Marvel Family games at all times. This is not allowed under the current agreement. When advised that we did not want to amend the agreement and wanted to take these on a case by case basis he indicated that he needed to take that back to his group and get back to us. It came up that they would like to do this with the next Captain America picture and we asked if that was the trade they wanted to do. He backed away from this straight trade instead wanting the complete freedom to do this on all the Marvel pictures.
Seth asked what is the harm to us if they are able to promote their pictures in this manner? The fact is that we have only the one Marvel picture to promote every few years whereas Marvel has pictures every year. It probably is a very valuable vehicle for them to have this access. We did suggest that this may not be a problem to do and they could come to us whenever they want to do this and we would evaluate each situation on its facts/merits. Obviously if they have to come to us for a consent it means we have something they want and we may get something we want each time. I expect we will hear back from them perhaps in some escalated manner. EB
From: Baum, Eric
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 3:33 PM
Subject: FW: (I) The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Marvel Family Interactive Items / Call To Action
Had a discussion with Marvel today about doing a promotion of ASM2 in the Marvel Avengers Alliance game during our release window. We did this on ASM1 and it was quite successful. If I read the provisions correctly (attached) (just try it is kind of painful) Marvel is barred from doing any direct promotion or a call to action for one of their pictures (a Defined Production) in the Marvel Family Interactive Item. In today’s call Seth Lehman was asking that we amend to agreement to permit this as the way to allow us to do a promotion with a call to action of the ASM2 picture,. My response was no we don’t need to amend the agreement, if there are going to be exceptions to this rule they should be negotiated and agreed on a case by case basis with the contractual default remain that they cannot do it. I have a further call scheduled for next Tuesday. Ira, I would like your take on the rule. Thanks EB
Awesome.
