Example of brilliant viral marketing – Pixar, Toy Story 3

Check out these fantastic, newly released “lost toy commercials” from the early 1980s.

These are actually viral spots created by Disney/Pixar to help market the upcoming sequel to Toy Story. Each spot features a new character created for this film named Lots-o’-huggin’ Bear. An obvious homage to the old Care Bears line of plush by Kenner toys. Back then, Care Bears were all the rage for a couple of years in the toy biz. The Lots-o’ Bear will be a character in the film who has had to live both the highs and lows of being such a brand that was once at the top of heap then eventually discarded and forgotten.



These spot are completely creative and dead on mimic a youtube posted old commercial from the early age of the VCR. The spot is shot with ‘80s style marketing, jingle and fashion but even features the outdated and faulty technology with washed out color and patented VCR tape “fuzz” along the bottom of the image.

On top of it all, they even went as far as creating a Japanese style ‘80s spot for the toy as well!

Hollywood take note...this is a perfect example of how you take advantage of the internet to market your films.

Disney and Marvel and the annoyance of the 'net

Ok, despite an avalanche of material posted online to date about the entertainment deal of the year, here's what we all know by now about the deal between Disney and Marvel Entertainment...

NOTHING other than Disney bought Marvel Comics and will attempt to do great things with the brand in the future. End of story, for now.

The most annoying aspect of this story and how it's covered online? The clip art mash ups of Disney characters and Marvel heroes. Please stop. It's lame, it's embarrassing and face it bloggers, there is no unique way at this point to post a "funny" image of Mickey's head on the Hulk's body. Just because your PC came with a low end image program that allows you the ability to cut and paste artwork "borrowed" off others websites, that does not mean you need to showcase your "talent" every time you post an article about the story.

I'm begging you please, enough guys and gals, enough.

Disney goes UP your ass for their money

Disney announced details of the release of their Blu Ray and DVD set of Pixar's fabulous UP! While we won't see the set until November 10th, start saving because the Mouse is bending us all over for this one.

The SRP will be $45.99 for this FOUR disk set. A screw job if ever we saw one. Disney forces the Blu Ray fan also purchase a DVD copy and digital copy that are typically included in these sets. I know revenues have been hard on Disney this past year but taking it out on the family who wants to own your little films is not the way to recoup losses. At least give us the choice of a package without these extras most of us don't need. If I'm buying it on Blu Ray, I have no interest in watching it on DVD now do I? That's like adding a VHS tape to every DVD set sold back in the early days of the DVD revolution.

And the Limited Edition Set? Only $199.99 SRP. Comes with the overpriced Blu Ray set and a replica of the Pixar mascot, Luxo Jr. Really? a $155 extra for a lamp that likely won't even work?

Oww, Oooo, EEEEE, Owch, my ASS! Disney, Pixar, stop! Why would you do this to your loyal fans?