Unique insights and actionable ideas from The Darnell Works Agency’s daily quest for greatness.
by Roger Darnell ..Challenge.. In hindsight, it’s clear that few films in the history of motion pictures have been as successful as “Shrek 2” from DreamWorks Animation SKG. When development and production began on the film, closely following on the heels of its big green 2001 “Shrek” predecessor, a global marketing workforce was spurred into … Read moreMarketing Case Study: “Shrek 2”
They had hidden cameras, water and Mars bars. It was inspiring, scary, enlightening and stupid (at times). See how it turned out.
..Challenge.. From all reports, the feature film (and marketing) phenomenon that is known as “The Blair Witch Project” began with a group of dedicated, talented and resourceful filmmakers who were intent on using every asset at their disposal to make a successful film under their banner of Haxan Films.
by Roger Darnell ..Challenge.. Although modern studio films often have a marketing budget that exceeds $20 million, the marketers behind “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” had to make due with only $1 million. The executive team included IFC Films’ Bob Berney, producers Paul Brooks, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, plus Cynthia Rhea and her colleagues … Read moreMarketing Case Study: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”
In a strategic marketing plan that I put together for a client last year, I wrote that the term Marketing refers to a great many activities, including market research, brand management, customer service, sales, promotions, public relations and advertising. Drawing on extensive research, I also emphasized the need to unify those activities around a common strategy, driven by a thorough, up-to-date understanding of a company and its brand. I just read several stories from the special report in the July issue of CMO Magazine entitled The Sales-Marketing Culture Clash. I recommend reading the report, and this definition of Marketing from Wikipedia.
Among the many people I know who are involved in the marketing of major motion pictures, Nicole Sperling’s Hollywood Reporter article “Simultaneous movie, video plan irks theater owners” is sounding an alarm.
Lasted Updated on June 1, 2003: Grammy-Winning Composer Leverages Past Recognition and New Achievements to Successfully Relaunch Commercial Music and Sound Design Company
“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Helps Endless Noise Command Uncommon Success”
Endless Noise: a Hollywood-based commercial music and sound design company serving the global advertising industry’s most prestigious agencies.
Executive Summary
As the PR agency of record for Grammy-winning producer and composer Jeff Elmassian from 2001 to 2003, DWA was charged with successfully relaunching music and sound design company Endless Noise. In 2002, the company earned a Gold Clio Award, an International ANDY Award, an International Monitor Award, AICP Show recognition and the London International Advertising Award for Best Sound Design (to name but a few) for their phenomenal work on Nike “Freestyle,” then went on to earn the 2003 Cannes Lion for Excellence in Music, recapture its second-straight D&AD Silver Award for Use of Music in TV and Cinema Advertising Crafts, and also score an International Andy Award in the TV category and a One Show Awards Bronze — all for their work on Nike “Before.”
Last updated on Apr. 15, 2001: POPcast Claims Streaming Media Market Space, Earns Partners and Investors, Expands Into Europe
“Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by Roger Darnell Supports 15 Months of Successful Growth ”
See also: MEDIA COVERAGE
POPcast Communications Corp. was a streaming-media production services company, and a systems developer specializing in enterprise and consumer videomail solutions.
Executive Summary
While represented by DWA as PR agency of record, POPcast Communications landed new CEO, expanded into Europe and across the U.S., closed $11-million round “A” with Telesystem Ltd. and Intel Capital, forged alliances with Intel, Microsoft, British Telecom, JVC, Cisco and others and presented at leading U.S. and international events. Total coverage generated exceeded 60-million impressions.