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  • Weinsteins to leave Disney, Miramax in September

    MUMBAI: This is a piece of news that could have far reaching implications in terms of how Disney runs its film studio Miramax. The media conglomerate has announced that the founders of Miramax, Harvey and Bob Weinstein will leave Disney and by extension Miramax in September. The Weinsteins had been with Disney for 12 years. Last year Miramax completed 25 years in existence.
     

    This separation should come as no surprise. Last year the relationship between the Weinsteins and Disney took a turn for the worse. While Disney downright gave Miramax the loser’s tag, founders and co-chairmen of Miramax — Harvey and Bob Weinstein — had asked Disney to quote a sum so that they could buy back the studio.

    At that time Disney CEO Michael Eisner had said that he wouldn’t sell Miramax even though the studio had been unprofitable in three of the past five years. Another sore point took place last year when Disney stopped the Weinsteins from distributing Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 which would go on to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

    Over the years Miramax made and distributed landmark films such as Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, The Aviator, Good Will Hunting and Sex, Lies And Videotape.

    As per the termination agreement the Weinsteins will remain co-chairmens of Miramax on a non-exclusive basis till 30 September 2005. During this period, they will focus their efforts on completing projects currently in production and will oversee the marketing and distribution of Miramax and Dimension films scheduled for release.

    Earlier there had been speculation that the Weinsteins could go to Paramount. However now they have announced that they will own and operate a new company, which is currently being developed. They will immediately begin the production, development and acquisition of new projects for their new venture. Details about the
    Weinsteins new company, including its name, financial backers and other specifics, will be announced during the next several weeks.

    Disney will retain the name “Miramax Films” and the Miramax and Dimension film libraries, while the Weinsteins will take the Dimension label to their new company.
     
     

    Dwelling on the seperation the Weinsteins addressed Disney employees by saying, “We recognise that the past several months have been especially challenging and we are extremely grateful for your patience, understanding and continuing contributions to Miramax and Dimension’s success. We understand that the speculation about the company’s future has created uncertainty for each of you and we truly appreciate your ongoing professionalism and performance.

    “We are incredibly grateful for the chances we have been given at Disney over the past 12 years. As movie fans, we truly appreciate the unique opportunities we have had to work with some of the greatest talent, both on screen and off, in sharing such a wide range of independent and foreign films and Miramax and Dimension productions with audiences around the world

    “We are very proud of the company Miramax we have built over the past 25 years and of the films that, with your help, we’ve been able to bring to audiences around the world. As we are completing one chapter, we are preparing to begin the next.”

    Paying tribute to the Weinsteins Disney president and COO Robert Iger said “Disney’s film library has benefited tremendously from the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed films developed under Harvey and Bob. Their creative instincts are undeniable, and they have developed a valuable asset for this company. We look forward to future collaborations with them through this newly established relationship.”

  • WWE to leave Spike TV for USA Network

    MUMBAI: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will have a new home on American television. One of its flagship shows Raw will leave Viacom’s male channel Spike TV and go back to USA Network. In India WWE airs on Ten Sports.
     

    WWE action including Raw ran on USA Network fopr several years. Then in 2000 the WWE signed an exclusivity clause with Viacom. In a statement Spike TV said, “After several months of negotiations, we have decided to end our discussions about extending our relationship with the WWE beyond September 2005. Moving forward, Spike TV will expand its investments in original programming and new acquisitions for its core audience.”
     
     

    Raw was the highest-rated programme on cable this past week among viewers 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research. Its 2.1 rating was enough to make it the only nonbroadcast series to place among the top 100 shows for the week ending 6 March (finishing 79th). With Wrestlemania coming up interest in the show is bound to grow over suspense about who will challenge HHH for the title.

    However a Reuters report indicates that despite Raw’s high ratings Spike TV was reluctant to pay an increase in license fees that would have cost Viacom an estimated $40 million per year. The WWE delivers 260 hours of programing 52 weeks per year, including the shows Heat, Velocity and Experience.

    A report in Hollywood Reporter adds that the WWE’s smashmouth sensibility also might have clashed with the newly refined Spike TV, which indicated its male-targeted brand would be altered under the direction of Doug Herzog, the Comedy Central president. He will replace outgoing Spike TV president Albie Hecht. Spike TV recently paid big money for CSI and CSI: NY reruns.

    It remains to be seen as to whether this news spells the beginning of the end of Viacom’s relationship with the WWE. Viacom’s cable network UPN has a deal for SmackDown!.

  • Will Pepsi blast leave rivals Blue?

    MUMBAI: Beverage conglomerate PepsiCo has turned blue for next months cricket World Cup in South Africa and must be hoping that the move will leave the competition feeling blue in its wake. PepsiCo has launched the limited edition World Cup-Special Pepsi Blue in Mumbai. It will also launch a music video, album as well as a variety of promotions.

    Pepsi is the third largest brand in the country in terms of consumer spend. A company release claims Pepsi Blue is a whole new beverage experience – an icy blue coloured cola with a refreshing taste.

    Pepsi Blue is going to be backed by a multimedia communication package, which will be splashed across the telly, print media, radio, Internet, outdoor, point of sale merchandise and on-ground consumer promotions.

    PepsiCo will soon launch two TV Commercials (TVCs) of 30-second duration each, which will communicate the “refreshingly cool” brand profile of Pepsi Blue. The campaign revolves around the idea that Blue is the colour of the Indian cricket team, Blue is the colour of the Indian fan’s passion and we all root for our Men in Blue!

    Pepsi will also add a musical note to its World Cup campaigns with a specially composed, peppy number by pop crooner Adnan Sami. The music video of the three-minute song, titled O Ye O, is a record of sorts as it brings together a host of film stars, popular cricketers and common cricket fans.

    The video, which is being premiered on Max, features Pepsi brand ambassadors including the Big B, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid .The video will also be the lead song in a music album, being released jointly by Pepsi and Sony Music. Pepsi is set to unleash an innovative consumer campaign during the World Cup, whereby fans can avail of the music album at a special discount.

    Syed Usman of Pepsi’s ad agency J Walter Thompson has directed the video. The song is written by Soumitra Karnik, a senior creative director with the agency and set to tune by Adnan. The video, produced by Arjun Jadeja, has been shot on location in Delhi and Mumbai. The video will be subsequently aired on all music channels during the World Cup.

    Pepsi also unveiled a promotion the Pepsi Predikta Jackpot! Pepsi will take the four finalists of the promotion for the World Cup Finals, who will then play for the Predikta Jackpot live on TV. The promotion will be telecast across the Sony network till the end of the World Cup. Cricket lovers can earn up to 500 bonus points by answering questions, which will be found only behind Pepsi labels and under Pepsi crowns. Consumers can participate through SMS or landlines. The highest scorer of Pepsi questions will get a direct entry into the final round.

    In addition to all this Pepsi is set to launch the Sher Ke Mooh Mein Haath Dalo promo. Yet another consumer campaign Pepsi Piyega Toh Shikari Ban Jayega contest will also offer similar merchandise to guzzlers. Pepsi will put up outdoor and attractive shop signages and merchandising based on the World Cup theme across 2500 outlets across the country aimed at encouraging consumer participation in the promotions and contests. The roads in the cities and towns will also witness the specially designed Pepsi World Cup trucks, which will further add to the excitement.