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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A New Guide to the Black Comic Book Community

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-02-03 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Can a Comic Book Contain the Drama and Heat of Activism?

In his Graphic Content column, Ed Park looks at “The Black Panther Party,” a new history of the group, and “Come Home, Indio,” a memoir about growing up part Native American. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-02-02 17:30:26 UTC ]
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Bring me a dream: why I'm excited about The Sandman coming to Netflix

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[ The Guardian | 2021-02-02 11:00:34 UTC ]
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[ Book Riot | 2020-11-09 11:34:00 UTC ]
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The twisted history of Pepe the Frog’s journey from lovable cartoon to alt-right mascot

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[ Fast Company | 2020-10-19 08:00:52 UTC ]
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How One Afro-Latina Comic Book Artist Is Changing The Marvel Universe

Natacha Bustos didn't see Black or brown characters in the comic books she read growing up. Now, she's the one creating powerful superheroes like "Moon Girl" in hopes of inspiring young girls of color. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2020-09-28 12:49:38 UTC ]
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Fans hope Marvel comic book improves Native representation

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[ ABC News | 2020-08-29 15:14:44 UTC ]
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Trexler Named Interim CBLDF Executive Director

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A Brief Guide to Comic Book Art Styles

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[ Book Riot | 2020-08-06 10:35:00 UTC ]
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Staff Union, Lifehacker EIC Rebuke G/O Media Over Firing of Travel Writer

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[ Folio Magazine | 2020-07-20 16:06:59 UTC ]
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Noted immortal Keanu Reeves to bless our lives with a comic book in October.

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How Do You Translate a Comic Book Into Audio? Ask Neil Gaiman

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-06-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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