Tag: Universal Pictures

  • McDonald’s India partners with Illumination to bring Minions

    McDonald’s India partners with Illumination to bring Minions

    Mumbai:  Fans of the beloved Minions are in for a delicious treat as McDonald’s India – North & East in partnership with Universal Pictures is getting ready to welcome Minions to its restaurants. McDonald’s customers of all ages will witness an unforgettable experience with exciting menu items and meal options available in Minion-themed packaging. In addition, McDonald’s will transform select restaurants into Minion havens and invite Minion’s mascot for fun-filled customer engagements.

    The new minionised meal options will include:

    Choco Caramel McFlurry – Delicious blend of creamy vanilla soft serve with rich chocolate and caramel swirls with Oreo topping.

    Chicken McNuggets (4-pcs) launched at Rs 99 Exclusive pack with 2 New Dips – Classic McNuggets just got better with the introduction of two new dipping sauces: the zesty Manchurian dip and the sweet yet spicy Sweet Chilli dip.

    Mega Minion Surprise Meal (4 pcs) – A fun and delightful experience with our Veg and Chicken Surprise 4-course meal that promises to surprise and satisfy your taste buds. The meal includes a surprise burger of your choice, 1 Regular Fries, 1 regular Beverage & Pizza McPuff.

    Happy Meal- With Happy Meals, customers will receive a special edition Despicable Me 4 book and Minion-themed headband. Happy Meal customers will get access to various games and fun activities by scanning the QR code available on the HM box.

    Minions theme decoration at select restaurants:

    To celebrate the Minions invasion, McDonald’s restaurants will undergo a quirky transformation with Minion-themed decor, creating a fun and immersive environment for all guests. Also, special appearances by Minion mascots will spread joy and photo opportunities for fans.  

    Commenting on the launch, McDonald’s India – North and East managing director Rajeev Ranjan said, “McDonald’s has always been a happy place for families, and we are always looking for new ways to create joyful and memorable experiences for our customers. We are incredibly excited to bring the world of the Minions to our customers. We eagerly wait to see broader smiles on the faces of our young guests and their families as they relish these limited-edition meals while engaging in the fun activities.”

    Customers can experience the Minions celebrations until August 1, 2024, across all McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India. 

  • Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    MUMBAI: Ignition Creative – a leading, global integrated marketing agency headquartered in Los Angeles – has announced the development of its Asia Pacific operations, launching first in India and led by the newly appointed Ignition’s chairman APAC and Middle East Jaideep Singh.

    Ignition creates culturally relevant entertainment, offering: strategy, print, audiovisual, digital, social, motion design, music, post-production, sound, computer generated (CG) visual effects and physical production. Clients include: 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, TNT, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Amazon, A&E, AT&T | U-verse, Cirque du Soleil, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, Nike, Mattel, Yahoo and many more.

    Ignition is bringing a new realm to creative integrated marketing campaigns for brands in India. In addition, it intends to partner with leading Indian film production houses leveraging its recognized experience in creating some of Hollywood’s best integrated film campaigns.

    Ignition is a one-of-a-kind, full service marketing agency. Founded in 2003, its vision was to build an offering that combined CEO Martin Kistler’s renowned entertainment expertise with the deep strategic rigor of brand advertising. Starting as a small trailer house, Ignition quickly saw the future development of the entertainment marketing space, adding an integrated department, physical production division and cutting-edge digital and social tools to respond to clients’ evolving needs. This foresight made Ignition Hollywood’s go-to shop for driving new kinds of audience engagement through innovative, viral campaigns.

    To date, it has delivered hundreds of award-winning campaigns – from Cannes Lions to Clios – for film studios, TV networks and blue chip brands. Notable work includes Netflix and Marvel’s Daredevil, Transformers, Nike’s NIKEID: LeBron’s Homecoming, The Hunger Games, ESPN / Land Rover, LA Dodgers, Game of Thrones and 2K Games’ awaited Civilization VI, to name a few.

    Jaideep Singh’s board consists of veteran, global creatives and business leaders who will be announced over the next two months. Singh will develop, launch and guide Ignition’s expansion in to the APAC and Middle Eastern markets opening its first office in Mumbai, followed by branches opening in Delhi and Bangalore.

    “We have experienced rapid growth thanks to Ignition’s proprietary creative process, Ignite360, which led us to become recognised globally for our ability to help clients unleash new revenue streams while also meeting their marketing needs. As we’ve gained organic momentum, we have seized the opportunity to expand our international footprint, bringing the agency’s diverse talent-pool and full-service offering to more markets,” said Ignition Creative founder, CEO and chief creative officer Martin Kistler.

    “We feel fortunate to have found a perfect partner in Jaideep Singh whose relevant experience of India and solid understanding of global media industries will help us grow our international operations. His extensive knowledge of international partnerships and expertise in cultural and social trends make him an invaluable addition to Ignition’s leadership team,” added Kistler.

    Earlier this year, Singh was appointed as the managing director of creative technology innovation group, Volocity Media, to launch its India and APAC operations. He continues to spearhead Volocity’s expansion plans alongside his new role at Ignition. Singh holds to his credit 20 years of diverse experience across marketing, media and entertainment. A decorated ex-army major who for the last 15 years has worked with notable companies, including, JK Tyres, Confederation Of India Industries and Radio Mirchi. His last stint was a stellar 10-year position at Viacom India, where — as Senior Vice President and Business Head of Integrated Network Solutions — he launched hosts of domestic and global impact’s (IP’s), secured strategic media partnerships with brands, government sectors and engaged with entertainment and media divisions across the globe.

    “There is high demand from businesses in the Middle East, India and across Asia to work with an agency that combines data-driven strategy, purposeful creative and cutting-edge technologies to deliver measurable campaign results. Ignition offers a unique, integrated package of services plus award-winning experience marketing global brands and Hollywood blockbusters. So it’s a thrilling venture applying its success to explore new markets and push new creative boundaries,” said Singh.

  • Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    Jaideep to lead Ignition’s A-Pac expansion

    MUMBAI: Ignition Creative – a leading, global integrated marketing agency headquartered in Los Angeles – has announced the development of its Asia Pacific operations, launching first in India and led by the newly appointed Ignition’s chairman APAC and Middle East Jaideep Singh.

    Ignition creates culturally relevant entertainment, offering: strategy, print, audiovisual, digital, social, motion design, music, post-production, sound, computer generated (CG) visual effects and physical production. Clients include: 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, TNT, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Amazon, A&E, AT&T | U-verse, Cirque du Soleil, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, Nike, Mattel, Yahoo and many more.

    Ignition is bringing a new realm to creative integrated marketing campaigns for brands in India. In addition, it intends to partner with leading Indian film production houses leveraging its recognized experience in creating some of Hollywood’s best integrated film campaigns.

    Ignition is a one-of-a-kind, full service marketing agency. Founded in 2003, its vision was to build an offering that combined CEO Martin Kistler’s renowned entertainment expertise with the deep strategic rigor of brand advertising. Starting as a small trailer house, Ignition quickly saw the future development of the entertainment marketing space, adding an integrated department, physical production division and cutting-edge digital and social tools to respond to clients’ evolving needs. This foresight made Ignition Hollywood’s go-to shop for driving new kinds of audience engagement through innovative, viral campaigns.

    To date, it has delivered hundreds of award-winning campaigns – from Cannes Lions to Clios – for film studios, TV networks and blue chip brands. Notable work includes Netflix and Marvel’s Daredevil, Transformers, Nike’s NIKEID: LeBron’s Homecoming, The Hunger Games, ESPN / Land Rover, LA Dodgers, Game of Thrones and 2K Games’ awaited Civilization VI, to name a few.

    Jaideep Singh’s board consists of veteran, global creatives and business leaders who will be announced over the next two months. Singh will develop, launch and guide Ignition’s expansion in to the APAC and Middle Eastern markets opening its first office in Mumbai, followed by branches opening in Delhi and Bangalore.

    “We have experienced rapid growth thanks to Ignition’s proprietary creative process, Ignite360, which led us to become recognised globally for our ability to help clients unleash new revenue streams while also meeting their marketing needs. As we’ve gained organic momentum, we have seized the opportunity to expand our international footprint, bringing the agency’s diverse talent-pool and full-service offering to more markets,” said Ignition Creative founder, CEO and chief creative officer Martin Kistler.

    “We feel fortunate to have found a perfect partner in Jaideep Singh whose relevant experience of India and solid understanding of global media industries will help us grow our international operations. His extensive knowledge of international partnerships and expertise in cultural and social trends make him an invaluable addition to Ignition’s leadership team,” added Kistler.

    Earlier this year, Singh was appointed as the managing director of creative technology innovation group, Volocity Media, to launch its India and APAC operations. He continues to spearhead Volocity’s expansion plans alongside his new role at Ignition. Singh holds to his credit 20 years of diverse experience across marketing, media and entertainment. A decorated ex-army major who for the last 15 years has worked with notable companies, including, JK Tyres, Confederation Of India Industries and Radio Mirchi. His last stint was a stellar 10-year position at Viacom India, where — as Senior Vice President and Business Head of Integrated Network Solutions — he launched hosts of domestic and global impact’s (IP’s), secured strategic media partnerships with brands, government sectors and engaged with entertainment and media divisions across the globe.

    “There is high demand from businesses in the Middle East, India and across Asia to work with an agency that combines data-driven strategy, purposeful creative and cutting-edge technologies to deliver measurable campaign results. Ignition offers a unique, integrated package of services plus award-winning experience marketing global brands and Hollywood blockbusters. So it’s a thrilling venture applying its success to explore new markets and push new creative boundaries,” said Singh.

  • ‘Baahubali’ forays into licensing with ‘Black White Orange’; targets Rs 25 cr in retail sales

    ‘Baahubali’ forays into licensing with ‘Black White Orange’; targets Rs 25 cr in retail sales

    MUMBAI: Licensing and merchandising solutions agency Black White Orange has been appointed as the global licensing agent by Arka Mediaworks Entertainment LLP for their national award-winning movie Baahubali. The much awaited part 2, Baahubali – The Conclusion hits screens worldwide in April 2017.

    With the aim to create a ‘Baahubali brand experience’, Black White Orange will work closely with Arka Mediaworks to conceptualize designs, represent the Baahubali franchise across a wide range of categories and also look at several licensing and retail partnerships, globally. Having already signed on a spate of leading international names like Paramount Pictures, Game of Thrones, Universal Pictures etc. till date, Black White Orange make their first Bollywood brand foray with Arka Mediaworks and their popular franchise – Baahubali .

    “The most challenging part is building the brand and in case of the Baahubali franchise, this job is already done with the global success of the first part of the movie. I know people will be expecting more from the second part. They will not be dissatisfied! We’re confident that Black White Orange’s expertise combined with the Baahubali franchise will translate into an exciting offering of consumer products.” said the film’s director SS Rajamouli.

    Arka Mediaworks CEO Shobu Yarlagadda said, “We are confident that Black White Orange’s unique and promising strategic approach will build the Baahubali brand in India and help us reach our fans.”

    Black White Orange founder and CEO Bhavik Vora added, “Indian cinema has the biggest fan following in the country and probably the most untapped potential on the consumer product platform that takes fans beyond the realm of the big screen. Arka Mediaworks’ Baahubali has raised the bar and created benchmarks in every aspect of movie making.”

    Fans across the globe will soon be able to buy authentic licensed merchandise which will be available at retail and online portals, making it possible for every fan to own their favorite Baahubali merchandise. India is a private consumption led economy with retail merchandising forming 45% of private consumption and the current licensing market is 185 million driven by kids and men.

  • ‘Baahubali’ forays into licensing with ‘Black White Orange’; targets Rs 25 cr in retail sales

    ‘Baahubali’ forays into licensing with ‘Black White Orange’; targets Rs 25 cr in retail sales

    MUMBAI: Licensing and merchandising solutions agency Black White Orange has been appointed as the global licensing agent by Arka Mediaworks Entertainment LLP for their national award-winning movie Baahubali. The much awaited part 2, Baahubali – The Conclusion hits screens worldwide in April 2017.

    With the aim to create a ‘Baahubali brand experience’, Black White Orange will work closely with Arka Mediaworks to conceptualize designs, represent the Baahubali franchise across a wide range of categories and also look at several licensing and retail partnerships, globally. Having already signed on a spate of leading international names like Paramount Pictures, Game of Thrones, Universal Pictures etc. till date, Black White Orange make their first Bollywood brand foray with Arka Mediaworks and their popular franchise – Baahubali .

    “The most challenging part is building the brand and in case of the Baahubali franchise, this job is already done with the global success of the first part of the movie. I know people will be expecting more from the second part. They will not be dissatisfied! We’re confident that Black White Orange’s expertise combined with the Baahubali franchise will translate into an exciting offering of consumer products.” said the film’s director SS Rajamouli.

    Arka Mediaworks CEO Shobu Yarlagadda said, “We are confident that Black White Orange’s unique and promising strategic approach will build the Baahubali brand in India and help us reach our fans.”

    Black White Orange founder and CEO Bhavik Vora added, “Indian cinema has the biggest fan following in the country and probably the most untapped potential on the consumer product platform that takes fans beyond the realm of the big screen. Arka Mediaworks’ Baahubali has raised the bar and created benchmarks in every aspect of movie making.”

    Fans across the globe will soon be able to buy authentic licensed merchandise which will be available at retail and online portals, making it possible for every fan to own their favorite Baahubali merchandise. India is a private consumption led economy with retail merchandising forming 45% of private consumption and the current licensing market is 185 million driven by kids and men.

  • Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    MUMBAI: Rentrak has acquired Hollywood Software, Inc. (HSI), a Los Angeles-based company that develops enterprise software for managing key elements of the digital movie distribution and exhibition industries.

     

    Rentrak’s acquisition of HSI advances its mission to provide highly valuable, never-before-seen analytic tools to the motion picture industry. By combining Rentrak’s movie and television intelligence—including Video on Demand viewing information—with Hollywood Software’s studio and theater planning systems, this partnership will give movie studios an enhanced scope of a film’s success and revenue streams by providing a more comprehensive understanding of a film’s total viewership over its lifespan.

     

    “Rentrak’s acquisition of Hollywood Software advances our commitment to the movie industry by continuing to provide products that enable studios and theaters to drive movie attendance and provide an enhanced movie-going experience,” said Rentrak’s worldwide movie measurement business president Ron Giambra.

     

    “I am excited to join the Rentrak team to help develop new systems that optimise the talents of both market-leading companies,” said Hollywood Software’s David Gajda.

     

    Hollywood Software’s Theatrical Distribution System (TDS) is installed in more than 30 studios in the US and Canada including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate. Its Digital Cinema Theatre Management System (TCC) product is currently used to manage more than 15,000 screens worldwide.

  • Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    Rentrak acquires Hollywood Software

    MUMBAI: Rentrak has acquired Hollywood Software, Inc. (HSI), a Los Angeles-based company that develops enterprise software for managing key elements of the digital movie distribution and exhibition industries.

     

    Rentrak’s acquisition of HSI advances its mission to provide highly valuable, never-before-seen analytic tools to the motion picture industry. By combining Rentrak’s movie and television intelligence—including Video on Demand viewing information—with Hollywood Software’s studio and theater planning systems, this partnership will give movie studios an enhanced scope of a film’s success and revenue streams by providing a more comprehensive understanding of a film’s total viewership over its lifespan.

     

    “Rentrak’s acquisition of Hollywood Software advances our commitment to the movie industry by continuing to provide products that enable studios and theaters to drive movie attendance and provide an enhanced movie-going experience,” said Rentrak’s worldwide movie measurement business president Ron Giambra.

     

    “I am excited to join the Rentrak team to help develop new systems that optimise the talents of both market-leading companies,” said Hollywood Software’s David Gajda.

     

    Hollywood Software’s Theatrical Distribution System (TDS) is installed in more than 30 studios in the US and Canada including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate. Its Digital Cinema Theatre Management System (TCC) product is currently used to manage more than 15,000 screens worldwide.

  • Universal Pictures to release ‘Everest’ across India in September

    Universal Pictures to release ‘Everest’ across India in September

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures is all set to release the epic adventure Everest across India this September.

     

    This movie showcases the spine-chilling journey of a group of mountaineers who embark on a journey to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest.

     

    It is based on the real life incidents that took place in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal. Everest has been directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

     

    Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach Mount Everest, the movie documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.   

     

    Shot across the locales of Nepal, Rome and UK, Everest will focus on the challenges faced by two groups, the one that was led by Scott Fischer (played by Gyllenhaal), and the one led by Rob Hall (played by Clarke).

     

    The movie has been co-written by William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy.   

  • Universal Pictures preps for ‘Jurassic World’ sequel

    Universal Pictures preps for ‘Jurassic World’ sequel

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures is all set to make the sequel to the recently release Jurassic World.

     

    Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard have been confirmed for the sequel.

     

    Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, who did a rewrite on Jurassic World, will write the script for the sequel.

     

    Jurassic World, which opened in theatres in June this year, has been one of the biggest successes in the history of Universal and has broken a slew of box office records. The movie has earned $1.5 billion worldwide to date.

     

    Trevorrow dished about the Jurassic World 2 plot and teased that the movie will not be limited to theme parks.

     

    Jurassic World ended with the Indominus Rex getting pushed to the Mosasaurus and being dragged and eaten by aquatic lizards.

  • Universal Pictures to restore 15 classic silent films over the next four years

    Universal Pictures to restore 15 classic silent films over the next four years

    MUMBAI: Building on its 2012 Centennial celebration, Universal Pictures will be restoring some of the world’s most classic silent films.

     

    During the next four years, the studio will restore approximately 15 silent film titles from Universal’s early years. The complete list of films is still in development in collaboration with outside film historians, institutions, and preservationists. Partners and collaborators in the initiative include the Library of Congress, The Film Foundation, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, George Eastman House, UCLA Film & Television Archives, Association of Moving Image Archivists, and Hollywood Heritage.

     

    The announcement was made at the Opening Night of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. 

     

    “The company understands its responsibility and need to preserve our silent film legacy. This early art of filmmaking is the foundation on which Universal Pictures was built more than 100 years ago, and it’s important we honor our rich history,” said NBC Universal vice chairman Ron Meyer.

     

    The silent film era is best known for instantly recognizable storylines, settings, costumes, and characters. Most early silent films were accompanied by a full-fledged orchestra, organist or pianist to provide musical background and to underscore the narrative on the screen. Some even included live actors or narrators. The major genre emphasis was on swashbucklers, historical extravaganzas, and melodramas, although all kinds of films were being produced throughout the decade.

     

    According to a report released by the Library of Congress, 70 per cent of the America’s silent feature films have been completely lost. Universal’s restoration team will work with archives and collectors worldwide to secure copies of prints and additional elements needed to complete this restoration effort and augment the silent film titles currently in its library.

     

    Universal Pictures silent film restoration initiative builds on the company’s ongoing restoration commitment. Since the program was first announced in 2012, nearly 30 titles have been restored and 25 more titles are expected to be restored by 2017. Fully restored titles to date include All Quiet on the Western Front, The Birds, Buck Privates, Dracula (1931), Dracula Spanish (1931), Frankenstein, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Out of Africa, Pillow Talk, Bride of Frankenstein, The Sting, To Kill a Mockingbird, Touch of Evil, Double Indemnity, High Plains Drifter, and Holiday Inn.