Sports, Fitness & Wellness VB Purchasing Guide February-April 2009

Compiled by Cheryl Cheng and Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 2/2/2009

Fitness and Wellness

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Feb. 24

Honey & Spice: Sensual & Fierce Burlesque STRATO-STREAM prebook now; DVD $14.98 Fitness: New York Burlesque headliner Jo Weldon demonstrates the Showgirl Position, the Derriere Frame and the Shoulder Strap Striptease.

March 3

The Firm: Cardio Party GAIAM prebook now; DVD $14.98 Fitness: The Firm instructors show how a heart-pumping, fat-burning workout can be as much fun as a party.

The Firm: Hard Core Fusion GAIAM prebook now; DVD $14.98 Fitness: Master instructor Allie Del Rio Pointer guides these high-energy cardio and body-sculpting exercises.

Mari Winsor Pilates GAIAM prebook now; DVD $14.98 Fitness: Mari Winsor demonstrates a 55-minute classic mat workout and 25-minute express workout for beginners and those who prefer quick exercise.

Tribal Fusion Fundamentals: The Exotic Art of Tribal Bellydance VIVENDI prebook 2-3; DVD $14.99 How to: Instruction on such specialties as floorwork and finger cymbals.

Kathy Smith: Dance Your Body Slim Double Feature LIONSGATE prebook 2-4; DVD $14.98 Fitness: Six dance workouts that burn calories and tone muscle.

March 10

Absolute Beginners Fitness: Weight Training With Jules Benson & Phil Ross BAYVIEW prebook 2-10; DVD $19.99 Fitness: Workouts using weight training as the building block.

Power Body: Kettlebell Bootcamp With Angie Miller BAYVIEW prebook 2-10; DVD $19.99 Fitness: This workout blasts calories and builds endurance.

Sports

March 3

Fight Science WARNER prebook now; DVD $19.98 Science: A look at the science of martial arts and self-defense.

New York Islanders 10 Greatest Games Collector’s Edition WARNER prebook now; DVD $49.98 Sports: This 10-disc set features the greatest games in the hockey team’s history.

March 10

Hank Haney’s Swing Band WELL GO USA prebook 2-3; DVD $24.98 How to: This golf program helps with power and accuracy.

Jim McLean: The Ultimate X Factor WELL GO USA prebook 2-3; DVD $19.98 How to: This bestseller on the Golf Channel describes how to create power in the golf swing.

March 19

UFC 11: The Proving Ground and UFC 12: Judgment Day LIONSGATE prebook 2-11; DVD $19.98 each Sports: These titles feature boxing, jiu-jitsu and karate.

March 24

Original Six Series: The History of the Boston Bruins WARNER prebook 2-17; DVD $26.95 Sports: A chronicle of the hockey team’s history.

March 3

Gaiam gets in Shape

Gaiam announced a partnership with Shape magazine to bring a dozen fitness titles to retail in a multi-year deal. “The Shape brand boasts the largest circulation of any fitness or health-related magazine,” notes Bill Sondheim, president of entertainment and worldwide distribution for Gaiam. He plans to leverage the magazine’s identity to build sales for the new line through cross-promotion, the magazine’s Web site and publicity efforts. Through its purchase of select assets of PPI/Inspired Corp., Gaiam also has rights to previously released Shape titles, which will be incorporated with the new line, Sondheim says. —Cindy Spielvogel

April 21

Shape 20 Minute Makeover GAIAM prebook 2-22; DVD $14.98 Fitness: A training program with 60 minutes of customizable workouts for fast fat-burning and total body toning.

Shape Ultimate Bikini Body Workout GAIAM prebook 2-22; DVD $14.98 Fitness: A workout for total body conditioning and strengthening.

Acacia strengthens its franchises

Acacia, the fitness and wellness label of Acorn Media, will release more titles in two fitness lines in March. “Franchises are an important way for us to build a portfolio of programs,” says Mark Stevens, president of Acacia. The third title in the Dance and Be Fit line and the second title from the company’s …for Beginners line will be released March 10. In addition to appearing in the company’s consumer catalog, which goes to 16 million people annually, the titles will be carried by various retailers. “We’re one of the top-selling lines at specialty retail,” says Stevens, referring to such stores as Borders, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Acacia also is expanding into such outlets as Target and Costco, he says. The company concentrates on releasing quality product, shooting in high-definition and using other enhancements such as original music. During product development, Acacia uses a panel of consumers that offers feedback before the company decides to release a title, a strategy that has worked well, according to Stevens. —C.S.

March 10

Cardio for Beginners ACACIA/ACORN prebook 2-10; DVD $14.99 Fitness: Petra Kolber uses simple, heart-healthy dance moves to get viewers started on a healthier lifestyle.

Dance and Be Fit: Lower Body Burn ACACIA/ACORN prebook 2-10; DVD $14.99 Fitness: Kimberly Miguel Mullen shares dancers’ secrets to tone legs in two 20-minute routines.

Anchor Bay has Special cross-promotion

Anchor Bay Entertainment has scored a workout DVD coup by teaming with Kellogg’s Special K for a major cross-promotion, according to Julie Cartwright, VP of brand marketing for Anchor Bay. Called “Lose Up to an Inch From Your Waist—in 2 Weeks,” the campaign will run from May 1 through June 31. Aimed at increasing awareness among retailers that carry Kellogg’s products as well as those that don’t, the promotion will feature Anchor Bay’s 10 Minute Solution brand on 43 million Kellogg’s Special K products, from cereal to snacks, she says. The products will feature the 10 Minute Solution logo and an image of Jessica Smith, instructor of 10 Minute Solution: Quick Tummy Toners, which is available now. A sampler DVD will be contained within 2 million Special K product packages, and the rest will have a mail-in offer for the sampler. The promotion is designed for the entire 10 Minute Solution line, with a new 10 Minute title to be released in May, Cartwright says. —C.S.