BoxOffice® Pro - November 2012

INDUSTRY
BRIEFS
FANDANGO HAS APPOINTED former Disney digital
executive Paul Yanover to the newly created position
of president. He will report to Nick Lehman, president
of digital for NBCUniversal’s Digital Networks and Integrated
Media. Yanover will lead the company’s overall
business strategy to become a multi-platform entertainment
brand, with an emphasis on growing its original
content offerings across mobile, TV and the web, as
well as expanding strategic partnerships with the movie
studios, driving social engagement and building on Fandango’s
strong e-commerce foundation. Previously, Yanover
served as executive vice president and managing
director of Disney Online, the entertainment and lifestyle
digital product group of the Disney Interactive Media
Group. He grew traffic across the digital brands to peak
at 36 million unique visitors—a 50 percent increase—and
more than tripled ad revenue. “Paul is the ideal leader to
build on the incredible momentum of this business, as
Fandango broadens its offerings for consumers and advertisers,
as well as exhibitors, and maximizes the unique
benefits of being a part of NBCUniversal,” says Lehman.
“His wealth of experience at the intersection of entertainment
and technology will help Fandango continue to
redefine the way we think about the movies.”
One of Yanover’s first moves is to announce that
Fandango is developing a slate of original video series
that will dramatically expand the company’s content
offerings. The made-for-Fandango movie news shows
will be hosted by movie expert and newly appointed
Fandango Chief Correspondent Dave Karger. “As a
trusted entertainment brand that is synonymous with
moviegoing, Fandango has a significant opportunity to
play an even larger role in the content arena and meet
the growing demand from both consumers and advertisers,”
says Yanover. “With a major talent like Dave
Karger as our movie expert, and
Fandango’s extensive
reach across the
web, mobile and
social media, we
are extremely
well positioned
to launch our
first-ever
original video
development
slate.”
NEW
FANDANGO
PRESIDENT
PAUL
YANOVER
ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT is now the biggest animated film of all time
at the global box office. The Twentieth Century Fox release has grossed $693.9
million internationally, pushing it past the previous record of $687.1 million
set by Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Ice Age 4 now ranks in eighth place on the
all-time global box office list.
REGAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP WILL HAIL the Twilight series with a oneday-only
event November 15 for fans to experience the complete saga including
the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part Two at 450 participating
Regal, United Artists and Edwards theaters. Admission for the circuit’s
loyalty club members is only $15 for all five movies, and $20 for those without
membership. “On this one day, Twilight will begin before noon and last past
midnight as fans savor every moment of the saga at their favorite Regal Entertainment
Group theater,” says Ken Thewes, chief marketing officer at Regal
Entertainment Group. “The conclusion of The Twilight Saga is one of the most
eagerly anticipated movies of the year. And Regal is pulling out all the stops,
celebrating the Twilight phenomenon with an epic one-day-only event showcasing
all five films for the ultimate fans.”
SONY IS MAKING its VPF program available through March 31, 2013. Sony’s
Digital Cinema Solutions group has worked closely with six major and more
than 90 independent distributors to create a VPF program that includes complete
projector installation, an integrated storage server, theater management systems,
monitoring software, networked services, access to Sony Digital Cinema’s
24/7 Network Operation Center, technical training, and a 10-year parts/2-year
labor warranty. “In our ongoing effort to provide full-service digital cinema solutions
for exhibitors of all sizes, we are proud to offer the most competitive and
accessible VPF program available,” says Tim Smith, vice president of business
development and operations for Sony Electronics’ Digital Solutions. “Exhibitors
shouldn’t have to settle or feel pressured based on other programs ending.
Instead, they should have everything they need in order to make the most wellinformed
decisions.”
CINEDIGM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (CEG) HAS NAMED Jeff Reichert
vice president of theatrical marketing and Stephanie Bruder vice president of
marketing. The announcement marks the completion of top-level executive
appointments that included the recent announcement of Vincent Scordino as
vice president of acquisitions. With these moves, CEG is positioned to make
major inroads in the theatrical distribution marketplace with a plan to acquire
and release up to 24 titles in 2013. CEG was formed when Cinedigm acquired
entertainment distributor New Video, the largest worldwide digital aggregator of
independent content, and combined the acquisition with the company’s existing
theatrical distribution business. The company has established partnerships with
all major digital platforms, enabling CEG to do a variety of releases, from traditional
releases to day-and-date releases to unique recurring in-theater programming.
“Both Stephanie and Jeff are deeply knowledgeable, well-rounded industry
players who will be ideal partners for filmmakers and content creators seeking
innovative ways to market feature film and entertainment content, while exploiting
every opportunity for innovation in VOD, digital and mobile distribution,”
says Susan Margolin, co-president of CEG.
NATO OF KANSAS & MISSOURI HAS ANNOUNCED the return of Show A
Rama on Oct. 15-17, 2013. Kansas City’s glorious and historic cinema exhibition
and distribution event will be restored to life, honoring Show A Rama’s
rich history while focusing on the industry’s bright future. The main event will
be held at the Hilton Garden Inn convention center located in Independence,
Missouri; however, other nearby locations will also be used for screenings and
some meals. The convention will entail a two-day trade show, alternative content
demonstrations and discussions, studio presentations, panel seminars and entertaining
and informative events. The convention’s primary focuses will be new
technologies, alternative content and increasing audience attendance, as well as
answering questions like these: We’ve gone digital—now what? How do small
exhibitors make alternative content work? And how does my theater compete in
the marketplace? The convention will allow NATO members to mingle with oth-
6 BOXOFFICE PRO NOVEMBER 2012