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 ]

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Netflix is turning the classic comic book 'Bone' into a series

One of the comic book world's best-known series is finally coming to screens. Netflix has secured the rights to Jeff Smith's classic Bone, and intends to create an animated kids' series that covers the Bone cousins' trek through the desert. Smith t... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2019-10-17 00:10:00 UTC ]
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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 ]
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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 ]
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There is nothing 'awesome' about what went down at Sports Illustrated

Welcome to the another edition of Ad Age Sports Media Brief, a weekly roundup of news from every zone of the sports media spray chart, including the latest on broadcast/cable/streaming, sponsorships, endorsements, gambling and tech. Fear Strikes Out Viciousness and stupidity are as endemic to... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-04 22:01:54 UTC ]
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Is Joker dangerous, unsettling or 'random button-pressing?'

Audiences are accustomed to hype and hot takes for every new comic book movie release, but the controversy surrounding Joker has reached a fever pitch. Three film critics share their views of the film and the commotion it's causing. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2019-10-04 08:00:00 UTC ]
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Todd McFarlane Talks Spawn Ahead of the Comic’s Milestone Issue 301

Spawn will soon become the longest-running creator-owned comic book series. The creator, Mr. McFarlane, is already thinking about Issue No. 600. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-10-03 16:14:54 UTC ]
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What Makes a Good Comic Book Adaptation?

Is it panel-to-panel representation? Is it casting? This reader has some opinions on what makes a good comic book adaptation, and some good candidates. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-10-03 10:42:51 UTC ]
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On the Pros and Cons of Comic Cons

Get some insights on comic book conventions, including pros, cons, tips, and even further reading, with this helpful guide to comic-cons. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-09-30 10:37:20 UTC ]
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Make Your Next Comic Book Read the Liner Notes from Outkast’s ATLIENS

If you loved Outkast back in the days of CDs, you might know something about their ATliens comic. If not, hop on over and discover this find! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-09-27 10:42:53 UTC ]
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Honda Develops an Animated Comic Series to Promote Its 2020 Civic Hatchback

Honda is backing its redesigned 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback with animated comic series Revenge of the Biospiders on Facebook and Instagram. Revenge of the Biospiders debuted on National Comic Book Day Wednesday. Honda said in an email that it "focuses on an apocalyptic world where genetically... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2019-09-26 20:30:57 UTC ]
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How should we respond to Trump’s hurricane lies?

Donald Trump’s Alabama psychodrama is still going on. Previous scenes featured the president of the United States erroneously warning that the state was in the path of a deadly hurricane; doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down on his error; defacing an official weather map with a Sharpie to... Continue reading at Columbia Journalism Review

[ Columbia Journalism Review | 2019-09-10 12:07:25 UTC ]
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A blind heroine rules this audio comic book written for a blind audience

Blind magician Chad Allen has entertained audiences for 20 years at Hollywood's Magic Castle. His latest trick: an audio comic book whose heroine does battle in Trump's America. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-08-26 14:00:59 UTC ]
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Did the Marvel Cinematic Universe Just Lose Spider-Man? Fans Reel at Sony-Disney Split

After months of negotiations, the two companies could not reach a deal for further cooperation over the comic book character. This could affect the future of the Avengers. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-08-21 23:10:08 UTC ]
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8 Comics That Turn Mythology On Its Head

See gods and monsters rendered in vivid comic book style in these awesome comics about mythology! This isn't your mom's Hera, kids. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-08-21 10:36:05 UTC ]
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8 New Comic Book Series for the End of Summer

The season may be winding down, but things are heating up for comics fans, with unusual plot lines and new kinds of heroes. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-08-20 16:54:57 UTC ]
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How Beano and Dandy artist Dudley D. Watkins made generations of comic fans roar with laughter

A Scotland-wide statue trail is celebrating the work of Dudley D. Watkins, a quiet man who became one of Britain's most important comic book artists. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2019-08-20 09:13:05 UTC ]
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Ernie Colón, Comic Book Artist Who Drew 9/11, Dies at 88

His art captured the whimsy of Richie Rich, the fantasy realms of Amethyst and the horror of the terrorist attacks. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-08-16 17:59:07 UTC ]
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A comic book dealer thrives trading the rare and coveted

From his earliest days as a comics entrepreneur, which included a stint selling vintage editions from a sidewalk table in the Financial District, Vincent Zurzolo wanted the books treated with... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2019-08-16 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon’s Superhero Satire The Boys Is Wonderfully Tasteless and Occasionally Timely

The new comic book adaptation adjusts for the rise of Marvel but not the rise of Trump. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2019-08-15 22:06:08 UTC ]
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DC Universe’s Harley Quinn Brings Something New to a Comic Book TV Series: F-Bombs

During the past decade, Marvel and DC have created more than 20 TV shows featuring their superheroes and villains, but DC Universe's upcoming Harley Quinn series has something that none of those others does: lots and lots of F-bombs. The animated series, coming this fall to the DC Universe SVOD... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2019-07-23 18:14:43 UTC ]
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