Arts Alliance goes green with Big Ideas and Jesus

By Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 4/22/2008

APRIL 24 | Arts Alliance America is using green packaging on two environmentally conscious new releases, Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Season One and Morgan Spurlock Presents: What Would Jesus Buy?

The digipack packaging from Ivy Hill incorporates fiberboard trays and recycled paper with no plastic, according to Matt Peacock, director of marketing for Arts Alliance.

The company isn’t making an immediate move to green packaging for every title because of cost considerations—green packaging costs about 25% more than Amaray-style plastic cases.

“We’ll move toward it more as prices come down,” he said. For now, the company will begin using it on titles where it makes the most sense.

Although the environment-themed Sundance Channel documentary series Big Ideas for a Small Planet is a natural for the new packaging, Peacock explained that the choice of the Jesus title was just as logical.

“The message of What Would Jesus Buy? is to stop shopping and look for alternatives to the consumerism that surrounds Christmas,” Peacock said.

The show’s host, Bill Talen, also known as Reverend Billy, is interested in a variety of social causes and asked for the packaging to be environmentally friendly, Peacock said.

Big Ideas was released on Earth Day (April 22) priced at $39.93. Jesus will debut May 20 (prebook now; DVD $24.95).

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