Masterful Use of Social Media: 

  "From YouTube to the Cineplex"

Monday March 11, 2013

In Sunday's New York Times, Brooks Barnes tells the story of the rise of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube-based channel for teenagers, that has made the jump to the big screen.

Mindless Behavior: All Around the World opens this week (Friday March 15, 2013) in around 120 AMC theaters. the locations were based on data culled from social networks.

AwesomenessTV is run by Brian Robbins, a former child star who played Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.

While the NYT article does describe the masterful use of social media by Robbins and his venture, they didn't mention the role of traditional PR in the process.  The group and film have also been covered by CNN, Newsday, USA Today, and countless other "conventional" news media, which means that someone like me has been working hard behind the scenes to get their word out both in social and traditional media.

Check out AwesomenessTV and see for yourself how masterfully Brian Robbins and his people are using social media to reach and engage their market, but keep in mind that social media is one of many elements in a successful public relations / publicity effort.

Creating a publicity and marketing plan today requires an open mind, and a creative use of all available techniques. 

Do you have someone with an open mind, and the necessary experience to keep your efforts on track?  You will if you get in touch with me!

Time is our most precious resource, it's the one we simply cannot recover when it's wasted.  If you get back to me, and we set a time to speak for five minutes, within a day or two I'll be back to you with enough information that will enable you to decide whether or not you want to proceed with me, then neither of us will waste any of our time.


As Always, Thanks for Your Consideration!


Steve Thompson


s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e . com

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434
Skype: stephen.thompson580

American Pickers and Why We Should Never Give Up


Jeanne Veillette Bowerman just posted "Balls of Steel: 'American Pickers' Road to TV with Show Creator Mike Wolfe Part 1" on Scriptmag.com.

Jeanne describes how Mike Wolfe's story of determination has inspired her, and I think it will inspire you too.

Despite overwhelming obstacles, Mike refused to give up.  Even after it seemed like every possible contact passed, he still persisted.

"Every network in America had passed. Every satellite station passed. Every cable network passed. Most people would have thrown in their dusty tin pan, but not Mike.

 . . . every lesson we learn, even those that frustrate the hell out of us, is valuable."

Mike Wolfe just simply refused to give up.

Mike Wolfe – Photo courtesy of The History Channel

Every obstacle we face can either defeat us, or force us to draw upon resources we didn't even know we have.  But we all have those resources, sometimes it takes our determination to succed to force us to draw upon those resources, but they are there.

When promoting a film, we have some advantages that Mike did not have.  We have the power of the story that we ca present to people who like the genre.  We have the power of the cast to bring more media attention to the project.

"What sold the show wasn’t the concept. The show sold because Mike is who he is."  

The power of our own selves is our ultimate competitive advantage.  No one will ever be a better "us" than ourselves.

My work is the discovery of all of the competitive advantages you possess.  Strengthening your competitive advantages, then using them to draw the attention of the people who can help you: audience, potential distributors, other industry contacts, possible corporate sponsors and people at companies who might have an interest in other commecial tie-ins that will benefit both them and you.

Would you like to work with someone who understands how important it is to never give up?  Then get back to me and we'll discuss your ideas, and how we can make them happen.

As always, thanks for your consideration!

Steve Thompson

s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e . c o m

Thompson Communications

856-942-4434
Skype: stephen.thompson580

$50,000 Indie GoGo Goal, Over $160,000 Raised, 
With 19 Days Left!

Tuesday January 15, 2013

Hannah Hart started out by making a fun video for her friends, but as she describes: "I quickly found myself leaving my desk-monkey job in NYC to pursue the lavish life of a YouTuber in Los Angeles (read: couch-surfing!). It's been magical."

Setting an Indie GoGo goal of $50,000, as of this morning she has raised over $160,000 with 19 days to go!

View Hanna's Indie GoGo Campaign

I know most independent producers need more than what she will raise, particularly with a recognizable cast and professional production values, but nevertheless what she has accomplished is definitely worth appreciating.

As I see it, her project is definitely from her heart . . . no one else could ever do it better than she has. 

Her passion has created an audience that is expanding daily, an audience that has connected with her in a way that has compelled them to support her.

This year I'm helping my clients direct, focus, then translate their special from the heart passions into productive actions that will break through the competition and deliver substantial results.

As in previous years, I'll be creating publicity campaigns for my clients' films, contacting potential distributors and sales agents on their behalf, but this year I'll also be assisting my clients by helping to obtain corporate sponsorships and product placement deals for films in various stages of production.

Tell me about your passion, your work, and what you want to accomplish this year, and we'll figure out a way to get it done.

As always, thanks for your consideration!

Best Regards,
  Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications
580 Haddon Avenue; Collingswood, NJ 08108

s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e

856-942-4434
Skype: stephen.thompson580

Immediate Marketing Opportunities for Indie Producers

Right now indie, and all film producers for that matter, have the immediate opportunity to strengthen their competitive advantages for the coming year by taking these next few weeks to create or update their film's marketing program: to expand the audience, and to reach out to potential distributors, future co-production partners, sponsors, and anyone else who can help you.

The record Thanksgiving weekend grosses are good news for everyone, so the marketplace promises to be very active after the new year.  The audience will be looking for upcoming films (and media outlets will want to inform them) distributors will be looking for new films, industry executives will be interested in finding new, creative, productive people to work with, and sponsors will be making deals with producers.

For over ten years I've been helping talent and producers successsfully promote their films, and I want to help you too.

Working together, here's what we can accomplish between now and the end of the year:

Creation of a professional and up to date press message and media list

Creation of target list of industry contacts (possible distributors, co-production partners, potential commercial sponsors, and other industry people who can help you)

Creation of professional promotional materials to be considered by people at our target list of companies, which will not be returned as unsolicited submissions

Producers and talent who have their messages and materials completed by the beginning of the new year will enjoy a substantial competitive advantage, in a highly competitive environment.

If you understand the value of having a professional marketing program created and implemented on your behalf, get back to me, tell me what you would like to accomplish next year, and we'll work out a plan that makes sense for you.

It's going to be a great new year, I hope you join our family of clients and friends.

Thanks for your consideration.

Best Regards,
  Steve Thompson


Thompson Communications
CinemaNewsWire

s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e . c o m

Understanding, Respecting, then Overcoming the Unsolicited Submissions Barrier

Everyone who starts out promoting a script or finished film learns very quickly, and abruptly, about the unsolicited submissions barrier.

The letter generally reads "your submission is being returned to you unread, we only accept submissions from recognized agents and attorneys."

Here is an article that explains a great deal why those policies are necessary:  http://tinyurl.com/ctcz3kf

Although I am not an attorney, I do understand a few more principles pertaining to unsolicited submissions:

At the development level, if a producer chooses to acquire and develop your script, the company will need to obtain an Errors and Omissions insurance policy in order to obtain production financing.  That policy will cover many subjects, but derivative characters and possible descriptions of real people are two important considerations.  Your script will need to be reviewed by a qualified attorney to assure that there are no intellectual property infringements, and that there are no direct or inadvertent references to real people.
 

You'll need to understand that within reason there is a probability that something you consider to be your original concept may end up in a produced film, but in fact it may not actually be a unique concept.  For example, you may feel that your idea of a party on a cruise ship that is disrupted by a (meteor, aliens, pirates, tidal wave, earthquake, etc.) is unique, but it isn't.  A qualified attorney can help you understand and differenciate which of your script elements may be protected, and which can't.

Some distributors and production companies may accept unsolicited submissions, particularly completed films, provided you accompany your submission with a Submission Waiver, which they will provide to you.

Unfortunately, as you might imagine, a company who provides you with a Submission Waiver, will give you a version that favors them, not you.

Our attorney has developed a Submission Waiver form that favors our clients, so we can be proactive when we contact companies on behalf of our clients.  Our initial contact briefly describes the project and the commercial potential, then we mention that we can provide a Submission Waiver with the work if they would like. 

Our practices make two important points to the people we contact: we understand and respect their Unsolicited Materials policies, and we, and our clients are professionals.

Understanding and respecting unsolicited submission policies and providing a Submission Waiver for our clients that favors them are just two of the many ways we strengthen our clients' competitive advantages.

When you are ready to begin marketing your finished film to potential distributors, we can help you do so in a totally professional manner.  For far less than the fees charged by larger New York and Los Angeles agencies.

Contact me, tell me about your project and what you want to accomplish, and I'll tell you exactly how we can help you.

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications

580 Haddon Avenue; Collingswood, NJ 08108

856-942-4434

s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e . c o m

Thompson Communications
CinemaNewsWire

It Has Been Done: From Concept to YouTube to Network (ABC) Syndication

For some time now people have been talking about developing a tv show concept, putting an episode on YouTube, then jumping from web to broadcast tv.  Well it's been done, and it has generated four revenue streams for the producers.

The process is described  the 9-25-12 Hollywood Reporter article entitled:  YouTube-Funded Show 'Recipe Rehab' to Be Syndicated on ABC TV Stations.

The healthy cooking show, which is part of the online video giant's push into professional content, is YouTube's first series to move to broadcast television.

Analysis From Next TV Today:  

While YouTube video creators previously have made shows for cable-TV networks, this marks the first time a new show designed for Google-owned YouTube has been re-versioned for broadcast TV. Set to be cross-promoted via broadcast and online, it’s part of YouTube’s $150-million original content initiative to engage more viewers, and to attract bigger advertisers and persuade them to shift their traditional TV and cable media spends. 

Co-Producer Everyday Health CEO Ben Wolin predicted his firm will get more revenue from product placements and integrations within Recipe Rehab than from advertising sales by ABC. And he estimated that the ABC deal would add "multiple millions of dollars of revenue" for his company.

The four revenue streams generated for the producers are: 

Google Placed Ad Running before Show, and Google Ad Sense ad on the YouTube video page
Product Placements
Integrations
Earnings from ABC TV advertising (license) fees.

No doubt this accomplishment was due to the efforts of everyone on the team: Producers, director, writers, talent, contact with people at YouTube on participation in their original content initiative.  And notice that the accomplishment was covered by two traditional media outlets: The Wall Street Journal and The Hollywood Reporter.

Read the original Hollywood Reporter article.

Read the original Wall Street Journal article.

Would you like to move your project to the next level?  Contact me to discuss what you've done, and what you would like to accomplish.  We'll develop a plan that may take you where you want to go and beyond!

Steve Thompson

s t e v e @ c i n e m a n e w s w i r e . c o m 

Thompson Communications
Cinema News Wire

Fast Track Promotional Program for Producers

Where has Steve been?

You may notice that most of the posts and promotional activity on my sites date back to last year. That's because two major things happened to me over last two years.

First, my brother asked my wife and I if we would help him restore a farm property he owns out in Dalmatia, Pennsylvania.  The property consists of a barn, one building that has three apartments, and a single house.

We began work on the farm property back in April, 2010, and have now renovated three apartments, and a single house.  We're using the single house.  The renovation work is now complete, so that demand on my time is greatly reduced.

Second, last year in October I became responsible for the care of my mother, who suffers with dementia.  For the first six months, this created a great deal of difficulty for us, because she would not sleep overnight, she wandered around our home 24/7, let herself out onto busy Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, and would often bang on our bedroom door overnight several times before being escorted back to her bed in her room.  During the day she would require constant attention and care, so since October of last year I have had very little time for business work.

Through trial and error, and the treatment of several doctors, she is now on a medication regimen that keeps her calm during the day, and allows her (and us) to sleep through the night.

So in summary, the entire farm property is now renovated, and the third apartment is now rented.  My mother is now calm enough for me to get several hours a day of productive time at my desk, although travel is still a problem for me.  If I need to get away for more than an hour or so I need to arrange onsite or respite care for her.

Consequently I'm going to focus on providing advisory / consulting services for now which I can effectively provide under my current situation.

In all, it's been a challenging two years, but we've made it through, and now I'm back to work.

So, how can I help you?

Steve Thompson

Thompson Communications
CinemaNewsWire.com

Update January 23, 2013: My Mom passed away on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2012