Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Is Before Movie Advertising Prudent For Small Bus.

Posted by Anonymous on 1/2/2005 at 9:45 AM ET 250 Points
for $1500 I can get a one slide advertisement shown 3 times before every movie on 20 screens, two different theaters, for 4 weeks. Allegedly movie-goer reach is over 80,000. I'm a 1 man operation and cannot find statistics that would tell me if this would be a prudent business decision for an operation as small as mine.

Is this a waste of money?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 1/2/2005 at 12:36 PM Accepted
    Well, the cinema manager will tell you it's a great bargain.

    If I were you, I'd go enjoy a movie there. Write down the slide info of other businesses who are advertising, then go talk to them about the results they're getting.

    My bet is that the ads are effective for the restaurants and coffee shops within a couple of miles of the theater. Is that you?

    Shelley ;]
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 1/2/2005 at 12:54 PM Member
    ps. I've asked another KHE member to share some insight into her experience with cinema advertising. See her question that was posted here in November.
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 1/2/2005 at 5:46 PM Accepted
    Here's why I don't like your idea of advertising at the movies.

    As the father of a 13-month-old (our first), there's one critical flaw in your plan: new parents DON'T go to the movies.

    That's that.

    I think you need to do some goold ol' fashioned grass roots marketing here and see if you can get in front of and in places where new parents are found. For example, there a TON of "Little Gyms" and "Little Sprouts" and places like that where moms with disposable income can be found.

    Other things that I'd do: Do a press release. Hand out pamphlets to every woman you see at the mall who is toting a newborn (just not IN the stores). Maybe even offer a free 30-minute workshop on "Sign Language for Babies." I am sure you can get a library to offer the space, and the local papers offers ads for this stuff at no cost all the time.

    Bottom line: If you spend your $1500 at the cinema, you won't be reaching your target market.

    My $0.02. YMMV.

    Paul
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 1/2/2005 at 6:38 PM Member
    Outstanding responses!

    However, I am leaning toward Inbox and Shelley's comments.

    Shelly makes a valid point in suggesting a little research before jumping in.

    Inbox's comment speaks volumes. I am (was) an avid movie-goer, but as a parent of a 2 year old, my wife and I rarely get to the theaters... especially during the pre-speech stages.

    I have an exceptional interest in your venture for three reasons:

    1. My wife is a Sign Language Interpreter

    2. We are looking for ways to expand her freelancing into a formal company.

    3. She is VERY interested in teaching sign to infants. We saw something on TV a month ago or so and started talking about cornering the local market (Oklahoma City/ Oklahoma) .

    I am prepared to discuss this with you and provide professional advice/brainstorming at no cost in an effort to research, strategize, and execute a comparable plan for both of our ventures. Perhaps we can join forces and recruit interpreters nationwide.

    Please contact me to talk about the project before you spend any money at the theaters. I have some ideas. (Just click my name to acquire my email address).

    You may want to place "MarketingProfs.com" in the subject line so my filters don't trash it.

    Thank you for the post. It could not have come at a better time!

    -Blaine Wilkerson
    Pres. - Jett Enterprises
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