In promoting edgy 'Joker,' Warner Bros. steers clear of brands

"Joker" dominated U.S. theaters this weekend, bringing in $93.5 million and setting a box office record for October. Warner Bros. Pictures pulled off its record-setting weekend without using many of the marketing tools that come standard with comic book movies.  While other superhero rollouts have leaned on splashy Super Bowl ads and big brand partnerships with companies like Geico and Coca-Cola, Warner Bros. is treating its R-rated Batman prequel more like an arthouse film with a smaller $55 million budget, fall release, film festival debut and no brand partners. The movie's promotional push began last year with a pair of Instagram posts in September 2018 from director and co-writer, Scott Phillips, sparking a two-week spike in internet searches for the word "joker" according to Google Trends data. Phillips later unveiled the film's first trailer at CinemaCon in April 2019. Warner Bros. has been running traditional TV spots and posted billboards in Times Square and on the Sunset Strip, but the studio has no plans to work with brands to promote the movie. The studio also blocked print and broadcast journalists from its red carpet premieres in Hollywood and New York.  The film won the highest prize at the Venice Film Festival last month, and there's already Oscars buzz about Joaquin Phoenix's lead performance. But "Joker" remains controversial, with some critics saying the movie is too violent and promotes a sympathetic view of its homicidal protagonist.  Police have... Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-07 17:33:36 UTC ]
News tagged with: #joaquin phoenix #major cities #online chatter #committing acts #ahuntington beach #suicide squad #public criticism #box office #comic book

Other Publishing stories related to: ' In promoting edgy 'Joker,' Warner Bros. steers clear of brands '


In promoting edgy 'Joker,' Warner Bros. steers clear of brands

"Joker" dominated U.S. theaters this weekend, bringing in $93.5 million and setting a box office record for October. Warner Bros. Pictures pulled off its record-setting weekend without using many of the marketing tools that come standard with comic book movies.  While other... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-07 17:33:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #joaquin phoenix #major cities #online chatter #committing acts #ahuntington beach #suicide squad #public criticism #box office #comic book


Warner Bros. creates a new unit overseeing big brands, including DC

Warner Bros. Entertainment, now owned by mobile giant AT&T, has formed a new division to make the most of its big brands, including comic book publisher DC Entertainment. The new unit, which carries the buzzword-heavy name of Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences, will be led by Pam... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-09-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #big brands #global brands


AT&T completes purchase of Time Warner, ushering in new era for Warner Bros., CNN and HBO

Time Warner Inc. is no more. Late Thursday, AT&T Inc. announced that it completed its $85-billion acquisition of Time Warner Inc., just two days after a federal judge in Washington gave the deal the green light. AT&T wasted little time consolidating its hard-fought prize — a blockbuster... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #time warner #warner bros #federal judge #green light


Warner Bros studios in Leavesden to expand, creating 4,000 UK jobs

Studios behind Harry Potter films to undergo 400,000 sq ft expansion by 2027, in boost to struggling industryThe Warner Bros studios behind the Harry Potter film series are to undergo a major expansion, creating 4,000 jobs and providing a boost to Britain’s beleaguered film and TV production... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-09-21 21:30:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #major expansion #harry potter


Warner Bros.' Max streaming service launches with new $20 4K tier

HBO Max is completing its transformation into Warner Bros. Discovery's "Max" streaming service today, and it's launching with a new tier especially made for 4K ultra HD viewing. The Ultimate Ad-Free tier will set you back $20 a month or $200 if you're paying for a whole year, making it the... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-05-23 09:27:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #company plans #warner bros #dolby atmos #harry potter


Exclusive: The makers of a Harry Potter smart wand claim Warner Bros. took their IP

The co-founder of Kano says that a new Harry Potter wand includes his technology; Warner Bros. disputes the claim. In 2018, Warner Bros. made waves when it announced a partnership with Kano, a U.K. kid-friendly coding firm, to release a Harry Potter coding wand that brought the magical world of... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-01-27 14:02:23 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #made waves #magical world #harry potter


Warner Bros celebrates Harry Potter's 20th anniversary with illuminated wands

The installation marks the 20th anniversary of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2021-10-07 15:35:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #20th anniversary #harry potter


Warner Bros TV buys rights to Cook's Booker-longlisted novel

Warner Bros TV has acquired TV rights to Diane Cook's Booker-longlisted novel The New Wilderness, published this week by Oneworld.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-08-13 05:38:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diane cook


Warner Bros. Film JUST MERCY Available for Free Streaming in June

Warner Bros. film JUST MERCY, based on the nonfiction book by Bryan Stevenson, is available for free streaming in the month of June. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-06-03 13:32:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #bryan stevenson #nonfiction book


Brands missing from marketing of 'Joker'

It opened against the backdrop of gun assaults across the nation. It’s been criticized for gore and a sympathetic portrait of its homicidal protagonist. And it received an R rating for violence.  All of which could add up to why Warner Bros. has been promoting “Joker” as more of an arthouse... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-07 17:33:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #joaquin phoenix #major cities #online chatter #committing acts #ahuntington beach #warner bros #instagram posts #times square #sunset strip #comic book


Warner Bros. to open Harry Potter exhibit in Flatiron

Warner Bros. Entertainment has leased a large Flatiron District retail space at 935 Broadway for a Harry Potter-themed exhibit that will allow fans to experience the enchanted world of the... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2019-09-23 17:24:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #harry potter


Warner Bros. appoints its first woman CEO

AT&T Inc. named Ann Sarnoff as the first woman to lead Warner Bros., filling a key vacancy created by the departure of Kevin Tsujihara following a sex scandal. Sarnoff is currently president of BBC Studios America and has more than 30 years of business and media experience, AT&T’s... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2019-06-24 21:32:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #difficult moment #text message #—bloomberg news #time warner


Pottermore and Warner Bros form new joint venture

​Harry Potter digital business Pottermore and movie studio Warner Bros have set up a joint venture to “widen and deepen” how they exploit the franchise online.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-05-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #joint venture


Marlon James’ ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’ to be adapted by Michael B. Jordan and Warner Bros.

Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society and Warner Bros. have acquired the film rights to the epic fantasy novel “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” by Marlon James. The first novel of the Dark Star trilogy, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” is based on African mythology. Set in a world of competing kingdoms and... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marlon james #black leopard #red wolf #warner bros #film rights #epic fantasy


Diane Nelson steps down as president of Warner Bros.' DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson is officially leaving her position as head of the storied Warner Bros.-owned comic book publisher, following a two-month leave of absence. Nelson, who also served as Warner Bros.’ president of consumer products, first stepped away from her duties in late... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #dc entertainment #two-month leave #consumer products


Warner Bros' Richardson joins Penguin Ventures

Isobel Richardson has joined Penguin Ventures as head of brand management from Warner Bros Kids and Family Entertainment division.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros


Video: Inside the Super Secret Batmobiles at Warner Bros.’ SXSW Activation

Warner Bros. subsidiary DC Comics is bringing its comic books to life for its 2018 SXSW activation. The film and TV studio brought several vehicles from two Batman films, as well as last year's Justice League, allowing festival-goers to get up close and personal with movie history. "They... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2018-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros #comic books #justice league #movie history


HarperCollins and Tolkien estate settle £62m lawsuit against Warner Bros

The estate of J R R Tolkien and HarperCollins have reportedly settled an $80m (£62m) lawsuit against Warner Bros over the licensing of online games, apps, slot machines and other types of gambling merchandise based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #warner bros


S&S promotes Virtue to special sales and brand role

Simon & Schuster UK has promoted Sara-Jade Virtue to a newly created role, special sales director and brand director for commercial fiction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #special sales #brand director #commercial fiction


Rose promoted to Mills & Boon brand director

Jo Rose, marketing manager at HarperCollins, has been promoted to the newly-created role of Mills & Boon brand director in anticipation of the brand's future growth. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marketing manager #newly-created role #future growth