Paramount Pictures is aiming for computer screens as well as the silver screen with its recent release “Sleepy Hollow.”
This fall, the studio debuted an online store (www.sleepyhollowdirect.com) to accompany the release of the movie last month. Traffic is being driven to the site – operated in conjunction with online network Artists Direct – via a link on the main movie site (www.sleepyhollow.com).
Because of the film’s R rating, the products sold on the site – such as “Heads Will Roll” shot glasses – skew toward adult memorabilia collectors rather than children, says Pam Newton, vice president, interactive and licensing for Viacom Consumer Products, part of Paramount’s parent entity Viacom.
Other items offered include T-shirts, trading cards and action figures of characters such as Ichabod Crane, the Crone and, of course, the Headless Horseman.
Shoppers unsure of what to buy for the head of their household can purchase gift certificates good at the “Sleepy Hollow” store or any of Artist Direct’s other online emporiums dedicated to various musicians and movies, including Aerosmith, Roxy Music and “The Blair Witch Project.” E-mail addresses are being collected at the online store. Newton says there are no plans at present to use the file for a marketing campaign.
Viacom already operates a “Star Trek” online store (www.startrekstore.com) and has direct sales sites in the works for some of its classic comedy properties, including “Taxi,” “Laverne & Shirley” and “Happy Days.”
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