New York, NY -- Warner Brothers Pictures publicly released their budget promoting the new horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street. The outline followed WB's traditional strategy of multi-media marketing with one exception-- a large percentage of the advertising budget expected to go towards television and radio airtime will instead be used to purchase every "Elm Street" in America."We're always looking for new ways to generate interest in our films," Tom Davidson, Creative Director of WB Promotions explained. "And what better way to get people into movie theaters than to take away their homes?" The film is expected to become a block buster before it even reaches theaters-- due in large part to the number of community blocks that will be disbanded.
WB hopes to appeal to that demographic of people who live near but not on Elm Street. Citing that some would call the campaign extreme, WB's PR department has announced plans to make significant donations to genre-related charity organizations. They promise 5% of all profits will go to several intensive burn units in return for the rights to the patient's likenesses.
The new campaign hopes to bring the Nightmare into every town in the country, increasing box office appeal when the film opens on April 30th. By the end of March, WB expects that all the legislation necessary in suspending a number of human rights will pass through Congress, making way for the innovative marketing strategy. "We promise to leave the homes exactly as the are now. Just remove all the people living there. It's groundbreaking really, as we plan to break ground on April 4th."
Revenue statistics back up the decision as many big studios (Paramount, Universal, Sony Pictures) aren't getting the same results through commercials and TV spots as they did a decade ago. "People can skip commercials with TiVo or fast forward with DVR. The only way you can ignore our new campaign is to accelerate or turn down a different street."
Although no accommodations have been made for the displaced families after relocation, the current residents of all Elm Streets will be removed from their homes regardless of circumstance. "When you spend 5.6 million dollars on a 10 second Super Bowl ad, you've got the kind of money that can make people disappear. Fast." If residents refuse to pack up and go, WB is prepared to take drastic action. "We're not opposed to setting fire to these homes while the former residents are still inside. Best case scenario, they survive-- promoting the film through their horrifically Krueger-esque burnt faces."
"Really, it's about burning as many faces as possible before the film comes out," Davidson commented, on the record.
And why not? Surveys show TV spots don't generate buzz for upcoming releases as greatly as they used to. "We need to tie our product in with something topical-- like a burn ointment." WB's recent Dark Knight campaign achieved major success when faux political advertisements were erected on billboards in major cities. "The Nightmare campaign is the logical next step. If fear can make people go to extreme measures, why can't it make them go to the movies?"
The new campaign hopes to bring the Nightmare into every town in the country, increasing box office appeal when the film opens on April 30th. By the end of March, WB expects that all the legislation necessary in suspending a number of human rights will pass through Congress, making way for the innovative marketing strategy. "We promise to leave the homes exactly as the are now. Just remove all the people living there. It's groundbreaking really, as we plan to break ground on April 4th."
Revenue statistics back up the decision as many big studios (Paramount, Universal, Sony Pictures) aren't getting the same results through commercials and TV spots as they did a decade ago. "People can skip commercials with TiVo or fast forward with DVR. The only way you can ignore our new campaign is to accelerate or turn down a different street."
"We also plan a tie-in with Monster energy drinks. There's a monster on the can and the drink prevents you from sleeping. That's pretty clever."
By purchasing a large pool of telemarketing firms, WB will bring on board 20,000+ employees to promote the film through 24 hour calls to 911. Early versions of the ad-script include, "Help! Krueger is trying to kill me! My friends are dead," followed by the film's release date. "We hope to have all the emergency lines tied. The first four ambulances to arrive each night on false pretense will receive two free movie tickets."
Brandon Jenkins, a resident of 243 Elm Street in Mithopeck, SC, was one of the lucky few who received compensation for his home. "They gave me this sweet fedora," Brandon explained, holding up a fedora. "I'm hoping it'll be worth something someday-- which is more than I can say for my property, which was depreciating in value each year." By converting residential communities into billboards, the studio predicts at least a 10% increase in ticket sales.
Art Clantis, Muhlenberg PA, lives one street over from Elm on Oak Drive, "I almost bought a house on Elm. But I wouldn't consider myself lucky. I've lost a lot of sleep over the whole situation." Though he's worried about his friends in the community, Clantis commented that other circumstances were causing him discomfort. "There's a guy in a Krueger mask who stands in my backyard every night. And there's nothing I can do it about it."
"But yeah, of course I'm going to see the film."
Not everyone is excited about WB's decision. As a precaution, Mark Weighbayer, Mayor of Tonnica, Arizona, took instant action in preventing the film from reaching his city. "Some people call me close-minded. We're desperately trying to push through the legislation to change the name of our Elm Street before WB purchases the land. Hopefully, the bill will pass. We've decided on 'Mulholland Drive' as a safe bet. That movie was terrible."
By purchasing a large pool of telemarketing firms, WB will bring on board 20,000+ employees to promote the film through 24 hour calls to 911. Early versions of the ad-script include, "Help! Krueger is trying to kill me! My friends are dead," followed by the film's release date. "We hope to have all the emergency lines tied. The first four ambulances to arrive each night on false pretense will receive two free movie tickets."
Brandon Jenkins, a resident of 243 Elm Street in Mithopeck, SC, was one of the lucky few who received compensation for his home. "They gave me this sweet fedora," Brandon explained, holding up a fedora. "I'm hoping it'll be worth something someday-- which is more than I can say for my property, which was depreciating in value each year." By converting residential communities into billboards, the studio predicts at least a 10% increase in ticket sales.
Art Clantis, Muhlenberg PA, lives one street over from Elm on Oak Drive, "I almost bought a house on Elm. But I wouldn't consider myself lucky. I've lost a lot of sleep over the whole situation." Though he's worried about his friends in the community, Clantis commented that other circumstances were causing him discomfort. "There's a guy in a Krueger mask who stands in my backyard every night. And there's nothing I can do it about it."
"But yeah, of course I'm going to see the film."
Not everyone is excited about WB's decision. As a precaution, Mark Weighbayer, Mayor of Tonnica, Arizona, took instant action in preventing the film from reaching his city. "Some people call me close-minded. We're desperately trying to push through the legislation to change the name of our Elm Street before WB purchases the land. Hopefully, the bill will pass. We've decided on 'Mulholland Drive' as a safe bet. That movie was terrible."
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