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EQUALIZER Prelim Intl Theatrical MKTG Strategy FINAL
EQUALIZER Prelim Intl Theatrical MKTG Strategy FINAL
Marketing Strategy
Main Genre:
Action Thriller
Denzel Washington
Robert McCall
2 Guns, Flight, Safe House, Unstoppable, The Book of Eli,
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, American Gangster
Antoine Fuqua
Director
Olympus Has Fallen, Brooklyns Finest, Shooter, King
Arthur, Tears of the Sun, Training Day
The Equalizer is an action-thriller starring Denzel Washington, who plays cheerful everyman,
Robert McCall. But looks can be deceiving. McCall has done his best to escape the life of his
dark and secretive past. A friendship with young and desperate Teri (Chloe Moretz) changes
everything. Now McCall must return to a world he thought he had left behind and make use of
his expert and resourceful combat skills to help her shake loose from the powerful Russian
mafia. When it comes to protecting the innocent and the helpless, he does not hesitate to
unleash on the corrupt his brutal brand of justice
KEY STRENGTHS
Denzel remains a global star who is very much appreciated for his acting talent.
The films intense action and suspense is what director Fuqua does best. It is also the kind of
genre international audiences prefer to see Denzel in. His last few action suspense efforts
have grossed $80m+ internationally (ie, Safe House, Unstoppable, Pelham 1 2 3). Denzel
has even been able to achieve even greater international success with $116m+ American
Gangster and Dj Vu. It is our goal to bring Equalizer closer to the heights of these last two
titles.
KEY CHALLENGES
Typicality is a common concern for genre films like this. Therefore, we want this film to be
perceived as more than a vigilante saving a girl and taking out unspecified bad guys. Our
best shot of accomplishing this is to shine a strong light on Denzels character McCall as a
unique and completely engaging anti-hero.
POP POLLS
In the below graphs, awareness and popularity are indexed against the average scores for
each territory. Stars awareness and popularity scores are mapped out so that they land in
one of four quadrants based on whether they have high or low awareness and popularity
relative to the norm for that territory.
The ideal marketing scenario for a territory is for a star to land in the top right quadrant:
Superstar, which would indicate that the star has both high awareness and high popularity.
The Brad Pitts and Will Smiths of the world occupy that very top right corner. Conversely, if a
star lands in the bottom left quadrant Underperformer (low awareness, low popularity) it
would indicate that the star is challenged from a marketing perspective.
Note that not all graphs are presented at the same scale please reference awareness and
popularity index scores along the axes. Please also note fielding dates.
Popularity score = one of my favorites + very good
DENZEL WASHINGTON
INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL
Key Positioning
Position Equalizer as a broad-based, star driven, action film appealing to core movie-goers.
Approved Synopsis
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a former black ops commando who has
faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. When he comes out of his self-imposed
retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chlo Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face
with ultra-violent Russian gangsters. As he serves vengeance against those who brutalize the
helpless, McCalls desire for justice is reawakened. If someone has a problem, the odds are
stacked against them, and they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The
Equalizer.
Targets
Generate awareness and interest about the film through online features and sites, media
stunts and editorial to reach the target demographics:
Primary Target: Broad Moviegoers (15-54)
Secondary Target: Fans of the talent, Fans of the filmmaker
Reach out to the Equalizer online fan base to evangelize the film online.
Reach out to fans of the talent on existing social media communities.
The U.S. Facebook page is listed below for reference. Please adapt/translate it for your local
campaigns. If you do not create your own local ones, please Like, Follow or Subscribe to
them on your own accounts. Kindly alert us when your pages go live so we may link to them
and drive traffic to your sites.
U.S. Social Media URLs
U.S.
Facebook
Page:
U.S.
Tumblr:
YouTube
Channel:
Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/TheEquali
zerMovie
http://theequalizermovie.tumblr.com/
Youtube.com/user/SonyPictures
Twitter
Handle:
https://twitter.com/theequalizer
@TheEqualizer
#TheEqualizer
U.S.
Hashtag:
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_
Equalizer_(film)
URL:
http://instagram.com/equalizermovie
Info Tab and Credits: Please use the approved wording on the US Info Tab (link below) when
filling out the credits on your local Info tab on Facebook.
For legal reasons, it is important that the order and list of names are observed.
To see the official, approved order and list, please visit the U.S. info page. (link below)
Link: https://www.facebook.com/TheEqualizerMovie (not live)
Online Editorial/Publicity:
Provide trailers, key art, photos and other marketing materials to local entertainment and fan
websites. Offer exclusives to your top online partners to launch the trailer or video clips.
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Please e-mail Andrea Chen (andrea_chen@spe.sony.com ) to get your link updated or added
to the page.
Games/Viral Components:
A few features are being built to reach your targets:
Games:
1. Select and Protect
Online Media:
Here are some tactics that you can look into when putting together your media campaign for
The Equalizer.
Audience
Primary Target:
Adults 15 34, male skew
Secondary Target: Adults 25 49, mainstream movie-going audience
Tactics:
Reach adults and younger males by having a mix of video, sports, gaming and
social/entertainment.
Video will be a great asset to this campaign, focus on video placements like YouTube
to show the action and support the trailers/clips/tv spots
To increase social buzz about the film use social networks like Facebook, Twitter, local
networks; plan to support the trailer early on with social posts
Reach males on sporting sites (ESPN, Local Sites, Yahoo! Sports) and gaming
environments (PlayStation, Xbox, Machinima).
Get broad movie going audiences on entertainment site (Yahoo, MSN or local Portals)
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Start your campaigns early out, with an emphasis on social, search and video to build early
buzz and excitement for this film. Consider coverage of the World Cup to take advantage of
the global event and reach men early in our campaign.
Rich Media Creative
Source files will be available on EAGL. Campaign will include 40K standard banners,
progressive, expandable, mobile and stunt ad units.
Digital Promotions:
Please work with your local online promotions team to develop local campaigns.
Promotional creative guidelines to help promote the film with online partners:
- Highlight the film's title treatment and film release date
- Include an opt-in to your local newsletter where applicable
- Offer the online games and features if appropriate
Mobile:
Text messaging: You are encouraged to create engaging text messaging campaigns
promoting the opening of the film. The trailer can be used within mobile editorial offerings on
3rd party sites.
Mobile Markers: If you use mobile markers, please include them on the
website, posters, standees, etc. If you have questions regarding
promotional mobile marketing, please contact the digital team. Mobile
Markers will feature clips from the website.
Email:
Add a Registration link/button to your sites to collect names and email addresses into your
database. Or work with an online partner to promote the film through their email lists.
Consider delivering an email to your list(s) when there are key events like:
1) Website launch;
2) Game launches;
3) Online clips,
4) Most importantly theatrical film release.
Online Showtimes & Ticketing and In Cinema Programs
Offer the ability to view local theater showtimes and/or the ability to purchase online tickets
on your sites and within online ads, games or from mobile QR codes. (below for reference
only)
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Other:
Each country is encouraged to use other digital assets such as email and email signatures.
One Sony:
Work with your local Sony divisions and sister companies to help leverage the digital
marketing assets.
For example:
Playstation Network: Distribute trailer and video clips
Sony Xperia Tablet: Preload movie marketing content
Sony Xperia Lounge: Content your local Sony Mobile team to push content through
the Xperia Lounge Android app available on Google play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonyericsson.xhs&hl=en
Sony Home Entertainment: Bundle in The Equalizer assets with similar action or
thriller genre DVD/Blu-Ray campaigns
Sony Pictures Television: Highlight the movie online with similar programmed films
Perspectives: Please work with your local home entertainment colleagues to integrate
PerSPEctives into your digital campaign.
.and other divisions that are able and willing to promote the movie for you.
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INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE
The International creative advertising campaign for THE EQUALIZER will promise a visceral,
concept driven action-thriller, which clearly stands apart from the typical films fans have come
to expect from this genre. Trading on the international star power of Denzel Washington, and
the unmatched visual style of director Anton Fuqua, THE EQUALIZER will be positioned as
more than your typical vigilante film. In the vein of films like TRAINING DAY, the campaign
will focus primarily on the character of Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), and establish
how his dark and mysterious past has afforded him the unparalleled skills he now uses to
execute his own brutal brand of justice on the evil and corrupt. Denzel Washingtons portrayal
of McCall as an everyman with a secret past will make him a character audiences can rally
around, regardless of any previous awareness of the show; and Fuquas stylized direction
help THE EQUALIZER stand alone as a unique thriller both fans of the genre, and general
audiences alike will not want to miss.
PRINT
Posters:
TEASER POSTER - the below teaser poster and quad were serviced in April to go up in
theatres simultaneously with the teaser trailer. The teaser image features a shadowy figure
walking towards camera, with the title of the film in his shadow.
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LAUNCH POSTER the below four launch posters are being serviced in June. Each features
Denzel Washington prominently, and positions his character as a cool, contemporary hero.
Each includes the tag: FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING DAY.
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OUTDOOR: Executions based on the various launch images are still in development.
IN THEATRE: In development
A/V
INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL TRAILER A (2:04)
The first international trailer went up in theatres in mid April, with TRANSCENDENCE. The
trailer begins by establishing the relationship between McCall (Denzel Washington) and Teri
(Chloe Grace Moretz). Though only casual friends who happen to cross paths at an all night
diner, we quickly learn that McCall is not the type to sit idly by while someone is in need of
help. When Teri is brutally beaten by two Russian thugs, McCall does not hesitate to unleash
his unparalleled brand of vigilante justice in her defense. In a highly stylized and visceral
sequence, we watch as McCall effortlessly dispatches with six Russian mobsters without the
benefit of a weapon -- in the span of nineteen seconds. Having now rattled the hornets nest,
McCall must contend with the full force of the Russian Mafia, as they seek revenge on the
man who has destroyed their once profitable East Coast operations. The trailer builds to a
suspenseful climax as McCall showcases his unique and unmatched skill for killing, violently
eliminating one threat after another, all in the name of justice.
INTERNATIONAL ON-LINE TRAILER B (2:27)
The second International trailer launched online and in select Imax theatres in mid June.
Taking a broader approach than International Trailer A, this piece begins by establishing
McCall as a low-key everyman, who quietly takes it upon himself to right any injustice he
comes across. When McCalls friend Teri is brutally beaten by a gang of Russian thugs,
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McCall once again springs into action in her defense, violently dispatching with six dangerous
mobsters in the span of nineteen seconds without the benefit of a weapon. Much like
International Trailer A, we then watch as McCall is forced to contend with the full force of the
Russian mafia, as they seek revenge on the man who has disrupted their East Coast
operations. Hunted by an insane killer who will stop at nothing until McCall is dead, the trailer
builds to a suspenseful conclusion, as McCall puts his unique skill for killing to the ultimate
test. This trailer includes the debut of a brand new track by Eminem.
INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL TRAILER C (2:00)
A cutdown of International Trailer B, this piece maintains the central conceit of the longer
trailer, establishing McCall as an everyman who seeks justice for those in need. Like Trailer
B, it ends in a cool, stylish montage of McCall dispatching with the Russian gangsters, all
leading up to a suspenseful climax where McCall faces off with the lead gangster, who is bent
on revenge. This trailer also includes the debut of the new track from Eminem.
INTERNATIONAL TRAILER D (:90)
A :90 cutdown of International Trailer C, for France.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY
PUBLICITY STRATEGY/GOALS
-
Make sure that the film is prominently featured in 2014 Summer/Fall Preview issues
Position the film as the seasons must-see action film.
Aim for breakout campaigns: Fitness / Heroism / Tattoo features / Genre, etc.
SCREENING STRATEGY
Screening dates: TBC but most likely screenings for press may take place after the US junket
first week of September. Select screenings for junket press / tour cities will be approved on a
case-by-case basis with strict embargoes.
All press screenings should be in line with security policy advised by Ann-Elizabeth Crotty.
Reviews:
- Review embargo date TBC (likely to be first week of September - to be confirmed under
separate cover).
INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES
Set Visits / Edit Bay Visits
November 2013 a select number of press met with Antoine Fuqua in the edit bay in
Culver City and were show 3 scenes from the film prior to interviews being conducted.
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Tour
A European press tour with Denzel Washington & director Antoine Fuqua will be held
Sept 12-20, culminating with the first European premiere at the San Sebastian
International Film Festival on September 19th.
Junket Activity
Premieres
MATERIALS
Written Materials:
Preliminary synopsis available December 2013.
Production notes to be serviced date tbc/August.
Generic print interview with Denzel is being done, and is expected to be serviced by
July 14th.
Photography:
Currently, 10 unit shots are available on the publicity site.
A special photo shoot with Denzel Washington is confirmed, with materials expected to
be serviced by July 14th.
Electronic Materials uploaded to publicity sites/epk.tv etc:
Clips & EPK anticipated to be ready end of August.
Featurettes/Vlogs we are submitting ideas for approval and will advise.
Utilize the heroism theme: tell stories of little known/anonymous heroes. Find real
every-day heroes, and pitch features in local press outlets.
Encourage the public to do something good (without violence) and be rewarded for it.
For example pay it forward Equalizer activities: buy a stranger a coffee; help
someone with a flat tire, clean up graffiti etc
Radio take over using Eminems music as the basis for an Equalizer Hour (see
music category below).
Tattoo exhibits consider publicity breaks comparing tattoos as art.
TV Stations can cover self defense classes promoting the Equalizer.
Survival training can your top journalists survive a bootleg camp?
Hero for a day can you enlist people for a group charity day: helping out the
helpless.
Work with local hardware stores to promote skills with tools.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Music:
Oscar- and Grammy-winner Eminem will collaborate on a song for the film. Further
details to come.
Promotional Items details tbc
Additional Opportunities:
Crew we are awaiting a list of international crew from the production and will advise
accordingly.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Target Audience:
Primary Target:
Adults 15 34, male skew
Secondary Target: Adults 25 49, mainstream movie-going audience
Planning Strategy:
Position Equalizer as a broad-based, star driven, action film appealing to core movie-goers.
TV will serve as the clear lead medium showcasing the storyline and distinctive action
sequences.
Online, especially video sites, will serve as a strong secondary medium, playing a key role in
seeding the campaign. Outdoor will act as a complementary component given the time of
year but be mindful of popularity of our star and strength of genre when balancing outdoor
into the overall media mix. A cost efficient medium, radio can be used as a useful launch tool
to boost awareness and secure strong promotional tie-ins. Page dominant press ads should
be scheduled on key days only and in key publications, especially younger profile commuter
papers like 20 Minutes and Metro.
Strategy by Medium:
Television
Solid TV campaigns should be implemented; schedules should clearly establish TV as the
lead medium. TV is especially important in markets where TV is affordable, accessible and
where action as a genre performs. Where threshold TV levels seem out of reach, consider
cherry picked spots on cable/satellite and terrestrial that deliver to young men with efficient
and solid impact.
Again, rely heavily on Cable/Satellite to be a substantial part of your mix given the ability to
reach our core movie-going demographic cost-efficiently. Please consider longer flights, to
ensure solid reach and frequency goals.
Due to possible rating restrictions, please develop your daypart mix accordingly. If possible,
explore all appropriate dayparts with late night being a key part of the overall media mix.
Please consider these constraints and optimize your plans carefully so that we build strong
and tactical campaigns. Take advantage of the new television season (in most places);
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consider high rated season premieres that will deliver both males & females (i.e. Arrow,
Games of Thrones, Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Homeland, Supernatural, etc). Look to weekend
sporting events as a cost effective way to reach young males.
Longer length :30s and :20s should be used to kick off the campaign to showcase the plot.
Ideally, we suggest limiting the use of shorter lengths to week the of release where :15s and
:10s should be a sufficient length to sell the overall tone and action.
Digital
Reach adults and younger males by having a mix of video, sports, gaming and
social/entertainment.
Video will be a great asset to this campaign, focus on video placements like YouTube
to show the action and support the trailers/clips/TV spots
To increase social buzz about the film use social networks like Facebook, Twitter, local
networks; plan to support the trailer early on with social posts
Reach males on sporting sites (ESPN, Local Sites, Yahoo! Sports) and gaming
environments (PlayStation, Xbox, Machinima).
Get broad movie going audiences on entertainment site (Yahoo, MSN or local Portals)
Start your campaigns early out, with an emphasis on social and video to build early buzz and
excitement for this film. Consider coverage of the World Cup to take advantage of the global
event and reach men early in our campaign.
Please refer to the digital strategy paper for a more detailed look.
Outdoor
Again, purchase outdoor in markets where it is affordable and accessible. Consider heavier
campaigns where Denzel Washington is popular and where action plays.
Some cost-efficient metro sites, both under and above ground, may make sense. Develop
heavy mall programs to reach our younger segment during fall months (back to school) when
foot traffic is high. Investigate accessible pedestrian outdoor areas utilizing wild posting and
banners. Build programs around universities and other areas where younger groups
congregate.
Radio
Radio will be a key complement to our TV and Digital campaigns. A longer one week flight
will provide additional strength against the younger segment. Look to arc the schedule so
you build frequency as the week comes to a close, as people are making weekend plans and
movie going choices. Consider concentrating spots in highly rated dayparts only (e.g. drivetime). Look into the hip, niche university stations.
Leverage media-paid promotions as a key factor when booking the campaign. Negotiate
added value (bonus) spots through promotional screenings, DJ mentions and contests.
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Newspaper
Press ads should be page dominant on and around opening, but limited to key days for
maximum impact.
Please consider commuter papers, ie. Metro and 20 Minutes. Well work with Ignacios
Creative Team to build alternative creative executions, i.e. cutout ads, for use with commuter
papers.
Magazines
Overall, consumer magazine are NOT recommended. In markets where young men
magazines deliver readership (e.g. UKs Nuts or Maxim) a modest buy, ideally with
promotional support, may make sense.
Pan-Regional
Cable/Satellite TV
Beyond paid media campaigns, we are looking for opportunities to include:
Short clips and/or scenes
Tune-in units
Channel IDs
Programming sponsorships
Channels we are in negotiations with:
Sony Channels: AXN, SET
Discovery Channel
ESPN Latin America
MTV
Space Latin America
STAR Networks Asia
TNT Latin America
Warner Channel Latin America
PLEASE NOTE: We have already begun negotiations with the cable partners. If you had
them in mind for your local plans please synch up with us so that we can be sure not to
duplicate efforts.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS
International Promotional Guidelines
Third Party Brand Promotions Guidelines
Due to content of film, third party brand promotions on this title should not be pursued.
Please focus on media and in-cinema promotions only.
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Legal Line
2014 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
When space is extremely limited, use:
2014 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.
Media Promotions Template
A media promotions template will be provided to assist in the development of creative
materials for media promotions including Print, TV, and Radio examples.
EXHIBITOR RELATIONS
THE EQUALIZER (IMAX)
Release Range: September '14 to November '14
Territories:
ALL; Except Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
TRAILER TARGETS
DATE
Think Like A Man Too
Transformers: Age of Extinction 3D IMAX
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 3D
The Purge: Anarchy
Hercules
Into The Storm
No Good Deed
TRAILERS RELEASED
Trailer Version
Date Available
Int'l A
March 2014
Int'l B - IMAX
June 2014
Int'l C
June 2014
Int'l D
TBD
IN-THEATRE MATERIALS
FINAL
ONE-SHEET
V.1
FINAL
ONE-SHEET
V.2
Languages:
Date Queried:
Inwood Shipping Date:
In-Theatre Date:
English, LAS
06/19/14
Est. 07/03/14
Est. 07/11/14
Languages:
Date Queried:
Inwood Shipping Date:
In-Theatre Date:
English, LAS
06/19/14
Est. 07/03/14
Est. 07/11/14
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FINAL
ONE-SHEET
V.3
FINAL
ONE-SHEET
V.4
REQUESTED MATERIALS
Item
Banner
Languages:
Date Queried:
Inwood Shipping Date:
In-Theatre Date:
English, LAS
06/19/14
Est. 07/03/14
Est. 07/11/14
Languages:
Date Queried:
Inwood Shipping Date:
In-Theatre Date:
English, LAS
06/19/14
Est. 07/03/14
Est. 07/11/14
Date Available
August 2014
Please find the security info for all THE EQUALIZER pre-release footage screenings
and pre-release screenings.
Please let Josh Farrar know where all screenings will be held, so proper security can
be coordinated.
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Security staff will patrol the theatre and utilize night vision goggles (NVG) to ensure no one is
operating a recording device. The size of the audience and the lay-out of the auditorium will
determine the number of scopes needed.
In the event someone is observed or suspected of recording the film a member of the SPRI
staff will be responsible for responding. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances it is
preferred that the screening not be interrupted and that the suspect be approached just as
the film ends. This will obviously require continual visual monitoring until movie ends.
The local contract security vendor for each venue should provide enough two-way radios to
ensure their staff and ours are well connected.
POST SCREENING PROTOCOLS/OTHER
Upon completion of the screening, each print should be broken down, recovered and properly
secured.
If you have any questions please email Josh Farrar josh_farrar@spe.sony.com. If you have
any specific equipment needs (NVG's/ Metal Detector Wands / etc.) please make that request
to Josh Farrar immediately.
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