Sneak Peeks

PROMO previews upcoming entertainment properties for brands with tie-ins on their minds.

Hollywood tie-ins used to be reserved strictly for large QSRs and big-name consumer brands. But the growth of the entertainment industry to encompass numerous cable TV networks and independent film studios has put tie-ins everywhere from the placemats at Applebee’s to boxes of Breathe-Right Strips.

Never before have so many brands of all shapes and sizes headed West, reaching out for some leveraged Hollywood magic to add cachet to their products or services. At the same time, never before have studios been as aggressive in seeking out partners for the added media exposure that can lift audience levels to new heights.

In recognition, PROMO presents its second Entertainment Properties Preview, a listing of upcoming movie and television properties culled from a bevy of entertainment outlets, with information on casting, story lines, and release dates when available.

These properties run the gamut from for-kids-only TV shows to adult dramas, from bizarre comedies to nail-biting horror films. Some offer new plots, others new twists on Hollywood classics, and sequels abound. (But why isn’t Patrick Swayze attached to Dirty Dancing II? It’s a mystery to us, too.)

Marketers in search of the perfect tie-in can peruse the list (unless otherwise noted, the properties are theatrical releases), then call the appropriate contact listed on page 73 to find out more information.

Remember: Not every property is a fit for every brand. Consider the target audience and star power of each before sitting down to talk turkey. And keep in mind that release dates are about as solid as a bowl of Jell-O. (Those with exceptional memories will note that MGM’s Rollerball was on the list last February, too.) So check with the studio before locking in.