Unprecedented DVD Offering Combines Forces Of Four Major Studios In Association With Four Hardware Manufacturers
Four leading Hollywood studios, in association with four hardware manufactures, have announced a breakthrough marketing program designed to accelerate sales of DVD-Video players in 1999 and to help reach an industry goal of nearly 4 million players installed by yearís end. Artisan, Columbia TriStar, New Line and Warner Home Video have greed to the first-ever, multi-studio DVD promotion, associating Panasonic, Philips, Sony and Toshiba in a two-month marketing campaign beginning April 30. This campaign features $10 million in consumer advertising including national television and print in leading magazines. The promotion offers five free DVD movies with the purchase of one of 35 DVD players made by the four manufacturers. ""Our goal is to capitalize on DVDís momentum in 1998, increasing consumer awareness and stimulating sales with a terrific new player and movie package,"" said Thomas Lesinski, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Warner Home Video. ""The addition of five free movies creates the greatest incentive yet to invest in DVD."" Continued Paul Culberg, Executive Vice President, Columbia TriStar Home Video, ""This cooperative effort is a clear signal of our industryís intent to assure the success of DVD by providing true consumer value for this exciting new technology."" The five-free-movie offer is valid with player purchases between April 30 and June 30 and is redeemable through a mail-in coupon. The titles include: Platinum Series: Lost In Space (New Line), Lethal Weapon 4 and Michael (Warner Home Video), Matilda (Columbia TriStar) and Rambo: First Blood Part II (Artisan). ""DVD awareness is increasing as players become more affordable and, with free movies now included, thereís never been a better time to enjoy the quality of the DVD experience,"" said Mike Fidler, Senior Vice President, Home Audio/Video, Sony Electronics. The promotion applies to these DVD-Video player models: Panasonic DVD-A105, DVD-A110, DVD-A310, DVD-A112, DVD-A115, DVD-A120, DVD-C220, DVD-K510, DVD-K520, DVD-L10, DVD-L50 and DVD-P10; Philips Magnavox DVD400, DVD420, DVD815, DVD825, DVD835, DVD850; Philips DVD840 and DVD855; Sony DVPC600D, DVPS300, DVPS330, DVPS500D, DVPS530D, DVPS550D, DVPS7000, DVPS7700, PBDV30; and Toshiba SD-2008, SD-2107, SD-2108, SD-2109, SD-3108 and SD-9000. In its first two years, DVD has outsold the VCR by 13 to one and the CD by four to one. Approximately 1.6 million DVD-Video players have been shipped to retailers to date, with more than 2,500 DVD titles currently available from every major studio for sale or rent, at traditional retail outlets and through Internet on-line services. Consumers can reach the DVD Video Group at 323 845 0160 or through its Web site at www.dvdvideogroup.com. Or contact the following directly: Ava Duvernay, Artisan Home Video, 323 933 3399 Fritz Friedman, Columbia TriStar Home Video, 310 244 7799 Matt Lasorsa, New Line Home Video, 310 967 6579 Ronnee Sass, Warner Home Video, 818 954 6439 Crystal Jenisch, Panasonic, 201 348 7154 Bob Harris, Philips, 770 821 2945 Sara Trujillo, Toshiba, 212 388 1400 Dave Migdal, Sony, 201 930 7394