Texting blamed for summer movie flops.
In this article, the Independent says that "in Hollywood, 2003 is rapidly becoming known as the year of the failed blockbuster, and the industry now thinks it knows why."
The problem, the executives say, is teenagers who instant message their friends with their verdict on new films -- sometimes while they are still in the cinema watching - and so scuppering carefully crafted marketing campaigns designed to lure audiences out to a big movie on its opening weekend.
Thanks to Michel Dumais for the pointer
[Smart Mobs]
I just love this. The movie studios know that even for a bad movie, marketing can buy them some attendance. The right marketing campaign could at least hold the hope of recouping some of their investment. Since word of mouth takes some time, the first weekend might make some money. But now the prime market, teenagers, is thwarting this process using cell phones and txting. Word of mouth is not measured in minutes not days. Obviously, this sends chills down the spines of movie moguls. No hope for bad movies. I expect this to have a big effect on the movies they greenlight. Look out for more sequels and pre-sampled pablum. [A Man with a Ph.D. - Richard Gayle's Weblog]
I also hear that boys are staying away from action moves in droves. Why? because they have more control in games.Crap is going to have a bad time.
8:43:17 PM
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