'Buddy' Set for Sell-Through
olumbia TriStar Home Video here will release "Buddy," starring Rene Russo, to the sell-through market Jan. 13, 1998. The title will have a minimum advertised price of $14.95, with an order date of Dec. 11 for single copies and Nov. 20 for prepacks.
Based on the book "Animals Are My Hobby" by Gertrude Davies Lintz, "Buddy" is a true story of a baby gorilla raised by an eccentric socialite. It features the special effects and animatronics of Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Universal to Release 'Land V'
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Universal Studios Home Video here will release another direct-to-video title in "The Land Before Time" series of animated features. "The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island," from Universal Cartoon Studios, will street Dec. 9 with a suggested retail price of $19.98 and an order close date of Nov. 17.
Universal has set a major marketing campaign to support the new title, including national cable TV and print advertising, and five cross-promotional partners: a free kids' entree at Denny's restaurants; a "Kids Pick-nic" promotion with International Dairy Queen; special offers on CD-ROMs from Sound Source Interactive that relate to Universal properties, including "Land Before Time"; an insert from Kitchen Sink Press featuring "The Land Before Time Treasure Chest"; and a $2 mail-in rebate offer from Equity Toys on "Land Before Time" plush toys.
Additionally, Universal will offer a $3 mail-in rebate on the purchase of "Land V" and one of the other titles from the franchise: "The Land Before Time," "The Land Before Time II: the Great Valley Adventure," "The Land Before Time III: the Time of the Great Giving," "The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists," or "The Land Before Time Sing-Along Songs." Meanwhile, the studio has announced American Sign Language versions of the first three titles in the "Land Before Time" series. The fourth is already available in a sign language version.
'Shine,' Evian in Cross Promotion
LOS ANGELES -- New Line Home Video here will cross promote with Evian Natural Spring Water and American Express for the Dec. 2 sell-through repricing of the Academy Award winning film "Shine." The title will have a suggested retail price of $19.98 with an order date of Nov. 11.
There will be a $3 mail-in rebate available to consumers who buy "Shine" and two 1-liter bottles of Evian Natural Spring Water. Support will include point-of-purchase materials with tear-off pads. The American Express tie-in offers consumers a $5 mail-in rebate when they use the American Express card to purchase "Shine" and one of five other New Line titles: "The Mask," "The Adventures of Pinocchio," "The Player," "Kansas City" or "The Three Tenors: Encore." American Express will support its part of the promotion in its December statement mailing to 8 million cardholders.
In addition, New Line will advertise the sell-through availability of "Shine" with ads in the Dec. 8 issues of Parade and USA Today.
'Scream' to Have Four Covers
BURBANK, Calif. -- The Dec. 2 sell-through repricing of the $103 million box office hit "Scream" will be available in four different box covers. One will feature the ensemble cast, and the others will show stars Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore and Courteney Cox. Suggested retail will be $19.99. The repricing is set to coincide with the theatrical release of the sequel, "Scream 2."
"Scream" will be advertised in the Fairchild Publications magazine Jane, which in turn will be supported by an insert in the video good for one free copy of the magazine.
