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For Immediate Release
THE BIGGEST HOLIDAY FILM OF ALL TIME
DR. SEUSS'
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!
GETS IN THE WHO-LIDAY SPIRIT WITH THE RELEASE
OF THE
"MUST-HAVE" VHS AND DVD NOVEMBER 20, 2001
Universal Studios Home Video Will Support Mega-Hit
with Largest Advertising Campaign in its History and a ‘Who's Who'
List of Promotional Partners, Industry-First DVD Gift Set and Whoville
Christmas Sweepstakes
Universal City, California, April 24, 2001 --
The must-have Academy Award® -winning blockbuster hit, Dr. Seuss'
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, is set to steal the Who-lidays
as the biggest holiday title of all time with its release on VHS and DVD
on November 20, 2001. Craig Kornblau, president, Universal Studios Home
Video, announced today the record-breaking film will be backed by one
of the most aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns in Universal
Studios Home Video history. "This timeless celebration of the spirit
of the holidays and biggest film of 2000 is destined to become the keepsake
VHS and DVD for 2001," said Kornblau. "The Grinch
will become an unprecedented holiday perennial and remain a family favorite
for years to come."
The VHS will be available for $24.98 SRP and a special
VHS Gift Set that includes the video and a Grinch plush will be available
for $29.98 SRP. The DVD Collector's Edition will be available for $26.98
SRP and the deluxe Limited Edition DVD Gift Set that includes a DVD Collector's
Edition and an interactive play set will also be available on November
20 for $39.98 SRP.
The stupendous marketing support features national sweepstakes,
a rebate offer, a three-month advertising campaign that includes network,
spot market and national cable television, online, outdoor, radio and
print ads preceding, and after street date, massive tie-in partner advertising
and extensive point-of-sale materials.
Massive Media Support
The Grinch media campaign will be a four-phased
strategic plan. The aggressive advertising campaign will reach more than
98 percent of all households in the U.S. more than 18 times, stealing
over 10 billion impressions!
- Pre-Street "Teaser" Campaign: Early Awareness: November
1 - 10
Approximately three weeks prior to street date, Universal
Studios Home Video will begin a "teaser" campaign to drive early
awareness. This will include an outdoor effort, participation in key pop-culture
events, online advertising and a national Whoville sweepstakes, national
cable and network 15- second spots and an in-school program.
- "Countdown" to Street Date: November 11 - 19
An extensive advertising campaign will commence on November
11 and continue through street date. Advertisements will be featured in
broadcast outlets that include major network television (ABC, CBS, NBC,
FOX, UPN, WB); targeted national cable networks/programs (Nickelodeon,
Cartoon Network, Family Learning Channel); spot TV (top 25 markets and
kids); and radio promotions (top 50 markets). Additional advertising will
be featured in national print magazines (People, Woman's Day,
Family Circle), local newspapers and online. The campaign will
also highlight store window showcases of The Grinch VHS/DVD
art in major high traffic venues and massive tie-in partner advertising.
- Post-Street: November 20 - 25
National media support will continue from street date
through the Thanksgiving weekend. Additional advertising will be featured
on various network TV holiday specials, cable, spot TV and Hispanic programming
coupled with major tie-in partner advertising. Holiday radio promotions
and online efforts continue through the holidays.
- "Holiday Pull," November 26 - January 1, 2002
Media partnerships will continue with a heavy advertising
component during holiday TV specials. A multi-page VHS/DVD Universal custom
gift guide also will be featured in Parade Magazine during the
prime gift-buying season.
‘Who's Who' of Promotional Partners
- Over $20 million in media
- List of promotional partners growing
- Major retail promotions across a variety of channels including mass
and grocery
- Heinz North America — Heinz North America, an affiliate
of the H.J. Heinz Company, will feature a ten-week promotion with its
limited-edition Heinz® EZ-Squirt™ Grinch character
green bottles and other characters like Max the Dog appearing on the
red bottles. Heinz® EZ-Squirt™ will also have an exclusive
special rebate video offer.
- Hershey Foods Corporation — Hershey Foods Corporation,
the leading domestic producer of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery
products, as well as chocolate-related grocery products, will create
customized Grinch candy products and a national advertising campaign.
- Wendy's — Wendy's, one of the world's largest QSR operations
in the United States, will feature Grinch toys in its National Kids
Meal. The Wendy's National Kid's Meal program will launch with a major
holiday promotion.
- First Book — First Book is a national non-profit organization
that provides low-income children with their first new books. During
the VHS and DVD release of The Grinch, Universal Studios
Home Video will work with First Book and Random House, publisher of
Dr. Seuss' books.
MSN Internet Marketing Event Exclusive
MSN, the #1 Internet portal, and Universal Studios Home
Video are teaming up to implement a major comprehensive online marketing
event. The Grinch will come to life on the screen with an
exclusive Grinch version of MSN.
- To enter MSN's virtual Whoville, online users can catch The Grinch
and different characters from the movie hidden throughout the MSN network
and randomly dashing across the screen
- "Whoville" will exist as a special Grinch microsite, www.Grinch.MSN.com
(Internet Keyword: Grinch) where users will enter to win the ultimate
Grinch Holiday Gift: "A Whoville Christmas at Home." Universal
and The Grinch will eliminate the chores of the holiday
and convert the home of one lucky winner into a Who-house complete
with Who-costumes, Who-makeup, Who-decorations
and a Who-feast
- Within The Grinch microsite, users will stream exclusive footage,
play Grinch-themed games, sign-up for emails from The Grinch, and much,
much more
- In addition to the promotion with MSN, Universal Studios Home Video
will partner with Claus.com, one of the top websites for kids. Claus.com
will transform their home page into Whoville during the Pre-Street Consumer
Awareness Campaign.
Retail Merchandising Support
- Universal Studios Home Video is creating a targeted marketing strategy
specific to retail promotional partnerships in an effort to make The
Grinch the #1 in-store holiday event. The Grinch
brand is expected to explode at retail through compelling seasonal graphics
and innovative outpost merchandise presentations.
VHS and DVD
On November 20, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch
Stole Christmas! VHS will be available for $24.98 SRP and a VHS
Gift Set, that includes the video and a Grinch plush. The Gift Set will
be available for $29.98 SRP.
The DVD Collector's Edition with added-value features
will be available for $26.98 SRP and the Limited Edition DVD Gift Set
will also be packaged in a fun and interactive play set available for
$39.98 SRP.
"Collector's Edition" DVD Added Value:
The Collector's Edition DVD, available for $26.98
SRP, will captivate audiences of all ages with the following bonus features:
- Spotlight on Location — a featurette on the making of the film
with cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage
- Descriptive Video Service (DVS for the visually impaired)
- Sing-Alongs and Read-Alongs
- Deleted Scenes
- Faith Hill Music Video
- Featurettes on Whoville, Grinch make-up application and special effects
- Outtakes
- Interactual technology allowing access to ROM features on the disc
- Kazoo 3D — a computer generated picture program allowing consumers
to integrate a personal photo together with the Grinch
- Grinch Screen Mate
- Games
- Screen Saver
- Grinch Computer Browser
- Recipes
- "Who" Photographs
- Production Notes
- Cast and Crew Notes
- Grinch Facts
Special "Limited Edition" DVD Gift Set 2001
The special Limited Edition DVD Gift Set will be packaged
in a fun and interactive play set and available for $39.98 SRP. The package
will feature a pop-up set replication from the film including the Whoville
celebration and the Grinch's home, providing a complete interactive Grinch
experience.
Capitalizing on a record-breaking box office opening
in 2000 and a total box office gross of $265 million, Dr. Seuss'
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is poised to set new records with
its VHS and DVD release in 2001. With the combined massive advertising
and promotional support from Universal Studios Home Video, The Grinch,
with its timeless message capturing the Who-liday spirit, is destined
to be the greatest holiday release of all time.
DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!
From Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures, Dr.
Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is the first live-action
feature of the classic story by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel. Brought to
life by producer Brian Grazer, director/producer Ron Howard and unforgettably
played by Jim Carrey, the movie chronicles the search for the true meaning
of Christmas, both for the Grinch and the Whoville characters.
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Cast: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor,
Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Bill Irwin, Clint Howard, Anthony Hopkins
Executive Producer: Todd Hallowell
Producers: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
Directed By: Ron Howard
Written By: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
VHS
Street Date: November 20, 2001
Pre-Order Date: September 25, 2001
Copyright: 2001 Universal Studios.
All Rights Reserved.
Program Length: 105 minutes
Rating: PG
Suggested Retail Price: $24.98 SRP
Selection Numbers: #85825 (VHS)
#88426 (Spanish)
#88684 (VHS Paper Sleeve)
Technical Information: VHS / Color
VHS GIFT SET
Street Date: November 20, 2001
Pre-Order Date: September 25, 2001
Copyright: 2001 Universal Studios.
All Rights Reserved
Program Length: 105 minutes
Rating: PG
Suggested Retail Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Numbers: #88752
Technical Information: VHS/Color
DVD
Street Date: November 20, 2001
Pre-Order Date: September 25, 2001
Copyright: 2001 Universal Studios.
All Rights Reserved.
Program Length: 105 minutes
Rating: PG
Suggested Retail Price: $26.98
Selection Number: #20677 (Widescreen)
#21275 (Full Frame)
Bonus Material: Spotlight on Location; Interactual
technology; Kazoo 3D (computer-generated picture program where you can
integrate a personal photo together with the Grinch); Screen Mate; Games;
Screen Saver; Computer Browser; Recipes; ‘Who' photographs; Production
Notes; Cast and Crew Notes; Grinch facts; Sing-Alongs and Read-Alongs;
Deleted Scenes; Faith Hill Music Video; Featurettes on Whoville, Grinch
make-up application and special effects; Outtakes
LIMITED EDITION DVD GIFT SET
Street Date: November 20, 2001
Pre-Order Date: September 25, 2001
Copyright: 2001 Universal Studios.
All Rights Reserved.
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Selection Number: #21422
Box Set: The Collector's Edition DVD packaged
in a pop-up set replication from the film including the Whoville celebration
and the Grinch's home, providing a complete interactive Grinch experience
Universal Studios Home Video is a unit of Universal Studios
(www.universalstudios.com), a part of CANAL+, the TV
and Film division of Vivendi Universal, a new global leader in media and
communications.
End Of Release
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