Marketing Strategies for LOTR

[Elbereth]

As we are fast approaching the new release of the second movie of the LOTR series "The Two Towers", I've noticed that the marketing for the movie has been greatly downplayed. With the exception of a few commercials for the new video game and the dvd's, I have not seen too much advertising for the movie.

Granted, I'm sure many will feel this is a good thing, since overexposure would surely lessen the appeal of the movies. However, do you believe that New Line Cinema is marketing the movies appropriately? And if you were in their shoes...how would you market the movies?

Let's hear your thoughts Tweens....(I also open this question to all non-tweens out there who have an opinion)

[Valinorean]

I am not a Tween, but it hasn't been that long, so here's my opinion:

I work in marketing, even though it is for engineering services, not movies. One accepted theory in the field is that in order to sell your product to a new customer, you have to make contact an average of seven times before you can expect to make a sale.

If that theory applies to movies, then New Line had better get busy. Overkill would be bad, but considering the close proximity to the release of the next HP, publicity could only help.

I haven't followed the movie threads, but is it the title that is a problem? Even though anyone with a brain will realize it is completely unrelated, there is still a negative connotation to the words "two towers". "Two" is close enough to "twin" to confuse people. Did the movie's marketing team hit a roadblock (or get writer's block?) about how to get around that?

If it was me, I admit that I would downplay the title in TV commericals, and make sure when the viewer hears the phrase "The Two Towers", that they also get a visual of Minas Tirith and Orthanc, (or is it Minas Tirith and Barad Dur?)

Anyway, I'd do my best to dispel any confusion right away.

Oh, yeah. Lot of close ups of hot guys in tight pants, too. ;)

[legoman]

erm, well I thought it was Orthanc and Minas Morgul, cos they're were the towers they go to (or past) in the book (and I think they're the ones on the copy I've got).

And I'm gonna ignore that last comment.

I think they might be relying abit on the fact that so many people saw the first one that they'll want to see the next one just so they know whats going on. I expect it'll pick up tremendously when theres only a couple of weeks left, I think they must know what they're doing, or they wouldn't be doing it in the first place. hmm.

[Valinorean]

Okay, okay! No hot guys in tight pants! ;)
I suppose that even if it is true that "sex sells", JRRT would spin in his grave if the movies were marketed that way!

And you are right about the towers, I think. I should have thought about it harder before I rambled. My bad.

[DGoeij]

Tolkien himself wasn't really sure about which two towers, since the title was brought up by his publisher. He liked it, but was still wondering over which two.:)

Since the first movie made enough money to pay for the entire production, I guess they are relying on fans, and friends of fans to go and see the second. DVD and video releases have been shown not that many times in commercials here, but they sell anyway.
Somehow I usually see more TV commercials for movies that are failing then for blockbusters.:)

[Valinorean]

Does anyone know if a fast-food chain will be promoting the movie again this time? That is always a good marketing tactic, although I prefer the games where you can win free food or other prizes, rather than having to buy a souvenir. I have a glowing Arwen mug tucked away . . . maybe it will be worth a million dollars someday. ;)

[legoman]

yeah, cos everyone will look at it and say, whos that, I can't remember her out of the book. lol.


but they probably will splash it on everything they can come the release.

[Ramagna]

I don't think that's what this thread is about, but I'm marketing LOTR nearly everyday... :p

I am unnerving friends and other people cause I always tell them what LOTR is a great book, and do tell those poor people who don't know it, to read it or having some conflicts with me... ;)

[Elbereth]

Now since we are less than one month away from the release of the "Two Towers", I am begining to see the logic of the marketing staff behind LOTR...and I believe that thier logic is fairly good.

Less comercials for the movie, more for the dvd and video game. Rely on Public Relations coverage in magazines such as Entertainment Weekly (did you all see Elijah on the cover last week?) and on tv spots such as Entertainment Tonight, Extra, and Hollywood Insider. (best not to clash too much with the crazy Harry Potter campaign.)

Then after Thanksgiving they will pull out the big guns and blast us with the full force advertising campaign, complete with tv comercials, guest appearances on all the talk shows, billboards, magazine and newspaper advertisements, and brand new movie themed paraphernalia waiting for the eager movie fan to pour their money into.

I can only imagine what they have in store for us this year...:rolleyes:

[legoman]

Well if it gets anywhere near the amount of marketing they've put into the new James Bond film its gonna get ridiculous. I think Halle Berry should ask for commision on every picture they print of her, she'd be a billionaire by now (thats if she's not already).