SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT: has been ordered to pay $1.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the studio of citing a false Connecticut-based movie critic in ads for some of its films, according to news reports. As part of the settlement, moviegoers who saw the films Vertical Limit, A Knight’s Tale, The Animal, Hollow Man or The Patriot during original theater runs must file a claim to receive a $5 per-ticket reimbursement. The lawsuit, filed by two California consumers, said the ads fooled the moviegoers into seeing A Knight’s Tale. Sony Pictures did not admit any liability under the settlement terms, news reports said.
HASBRO, INC.: spokesperson Jessie McCartney will host a free music concert and Twister Moves game play session at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Aug. 13 to boost the brand’s visibility of the game. The actor/singer partnered with Hasbro in May as part of a more than 20-month relationship (May 11 Xtra). The free music concert and game session celebrates the partnership.
POKÉMON USA, INC.: has hired Yves Saada as VP-business development to oversee the company’s digital media initiatives. Saada, who started in the position July 12, reports to company president Akira Chiba. He left his position as COO of BrainPOP, a producer of online animated movies for children in grades K-12, to join Pokémon USA.
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