Brockovich gets 'Net tease
By Wendy Wilson -- Video Business, 8/18/2000
AUG. 18 | Universal Studios Home Video is stepping up its Internet marketing efforts in conjunction with the release of Erin Brockovich.
The company was streaming the first 10 minutes of the $126 million grosser on MSN.com and WindowsMedia.com through Aug. 22. The promotion marks the first time Universal has streamed a significant portion of a feature film via the Internet.
Erin Brockovich was released Aug. 15 on VHS and DVD, and the date was proclaimed Erin Brockovich Day by the city of Barstow, Calif.
The real Erin Brockovich-Ellis attended the festivities and signed VHS and DVD copies at Silver Screen Video, a store owned by Roberta Walker, who inspired the Marg Helgenberger character in the film.
Universal also will stream the first 12 minutes of Beyond the Mat on the same sites. The wrestling documentary, which grossed $40 million in theaters, streets on video Aug. 22.
For Erin Brockovich, the supplier is partnering with EMail Shows to create a series of personalized, daily e-mail messages called "eQuels" from the film's characters. Fans can register to receive them at www.erinbrockovich.com.
Universal is also playing with its traditional banner advertising for Erin Brockovich. Using Point.Roll's new technology, Web users whose cursors cross a banner ad for the title will be presented with as many as eight interactive mini-Web pages that invite users to e-mail postcards or download screensavers while never leaving the page they're on.
Other upcoming Internet promotions include a custom Web browser for Jurassic Park. Available for download at www.jurassicpark.com for the title's Oct. 10 DVD release, the browsers will feature sounds and images from the film as well as links back to the official Web site.
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