Archive for January 18th, 2008

It’s Converse…the sneaker brand is just one of many, many product placements in the hit Will Smith film.

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Uh, “I am Sorry”, but did I miss something? Oh yes … the point of this movie! I rooted for IAL (think 28 Days Later does the Big Apple), but what promised to be a thrilling blockbuster of one man’s quest to reverse an apocalyptic nightmare turned out to be the equivalent of a super long trailer … without the climax. Come on people!

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MUNICH — The downturn in America’s global image may be a hot issue during the upcoming presidential election, but at the moment in Germany it’s in the capable hands of ex-model, ex-U.S. paratrooper and flamboyant catwalk choreographer Bruce Darnell.

Darnell’s shouts of “Drama, baby! Drama!” have entered the culture since he became a juror on Heidi Klum’s “Germany’s Next Top Model” casting show. As a catwalk coach, it was Darnell’s job to turn healthy German girls into decadent sex kittens by exhortation and example — and there aren’t many German boys who walk as well as Bruce does in 4-inch heels.

Darnell’s variegated persona — one moment he’s screaming at a modeling hopeful to move her butt, the next he’s bursting into tears when she’s kicked off the show — makes him the perfect foil for the emotionally reserved Germans. Here, praise often takes the form of a muttered “not bad” and criticism is almost invariably delivered by proxy. Darnell’s obvious relish of both can have the effect of a skinny-dip in the ocean after a daylong meeting.

Now, following his “Top Model” success and a series of lucrative ad contracts, Darnell is getting his own reality series on pubcaster ARD starting in February. Working title: “Bruce.”

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Israeli auds showed their love of Hollywood animated fare and local-language productions as ticket sales bumped up last year.Admissions reached 9.5 million in Israel in 2007, up 5.5% from previous year’s figures, according to a preliminary end-of-the-year report issued by the Israeli Cinema Assn.

Final figures may be as high as 9.8 million admissions, edging this year’s numbers closer to the 2004 banner year, the last time Israeli cinemas sold just over 10 million tickets.

This is the second consecutive year of rising ticket sales. In 2006, there was an improvement of 5% after a slump in 2005.

Movie ticket prices in Israel remained unchanged in 2006 and 2007 at $8.75 a ticket. However, many Israeli moviegoers, voicing their outrage on Internet sites, say this price is too high in relation to local salaries.

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Artfest International, Inc. (OTCBB: ARTI) announced today the completion of the acquisition of Art Channel, Inc. (ACI), a privately held Direct Marketing Company for Fine Art reproductions and Collectibles.

Art Channel Galleries (ACG) and Art Channel TV is an Internet and Broadcasting Corporation offering a comprehensive Internet-Based Business Opportunity that is unparallel in the industry. The Art Channel plus its syndicated television programming provide an exclusive dynamic Business Opportunity. The members receive leads that are generated from several elements including the upcoming Art Channel Television Network, Internet optimization, and syndicated commercials nationally. The Art Channel members are supported with marketing promotions of Art Collectibles through wide-ranging Internet and Television campaigns.

The Art Channel recently launched a proprietary software system that provides an automated web site, personal self replicating Art Galleries, sales presentations, training, and a simplified authenticated delivery of Art Collectibles. The members are primarily responsible for the marketing of the Art, business opportunities, and individualized support for team members. The Art Channel System focuses on helping members become more time efficient and in turn, more successful; living a life where members work smarter not harder.

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HONG KONG – Chinese movie production and theatrical box office both grew by over 20% in 2007 according to the official news agency Xinhua, quoting the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television.

According to the report B.O hit RMB3.3 billion ($455 million), up 26% from the 2006 total of $361 million. (Conversion at last year’s Yuan to Dollar exchange rate would have shown growth at an even faster 35% pace.)

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ESPN, along with four Chinese partners, has invested a cumulative total of $253 million to acquire 11 percent of the new NBA China organization, that will conduct all of the league’s businesses in Greater China.

The other partners include Bank of China Group Investment, Legend Holdings Ltd, Li Ka Shing Foundation and China Merchants Investments.

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HONG KONG – Disney, Hong Kong businessman Li Ka-Shing and three Chinese financiers have invested $253 million in NBA China, a new sports rights body that aims to harness the huge popularity of basketball in China.
The investors stake buys them 11% of NBA China and puts an initial value of $2.3 billion on the org. Disney is buying 5% while Li’s charity Li Ka-shing Foundation, Bank of China, China Merchants Bank and Legend Holdings, parent of computer giant Lenovo, split the remaining 6%. Read the rest of this entry »

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