Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - (Page 22) NEWS Netflix Named No.1 Continued from page 6 fee was offset by “worse-than-average” title selection, compared to Netflix and others. The survey said VOD services tended to be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional rental. The magazine said VOD would be a preferred choice when seeking the latest movie releases. If seeking in-store availability and friendly service, Consumer Reports recommended frequenting local independent, non-chain stores, including Family Video, a 31-year-old walk-in Springfield, Ill.-based chain with 570 locations in 18 states. Survey results showed that Family Video was better than average for price and that independent stores offered superior customized, customer-oriented service. “It’s telling that the DVD rental category is still robust,” said Arvind Bhatia, analyst with Dallas-based Sterne Agee, while speaking about Netflix the previous week. “The category still has to be performing for Netflix [and others] to do well.” www.homemediamagazine.com Wuthrich to Head Warner Int’l Video, Digital Distribution By Erik Gruenwedel arner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has promoted Jim Wuthrich to the newly created position of president of international home video and digital distribution, to be based in Burbank, Calif. Wuthrich reports to Thomas Gewecke, president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, and Warner Home Video president Ron Sanders. The 10-year veteran will work closely with international territories to identify strategic opportunities for the Home Entertainment Group abroad while implementing the studio’s growth priorities, which include releasing titles via video-on-demand the same day as DVD. Marc Gareton, EVP, international, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution; Yves Caillaud, SVP, international, Warner Home Video; and Chris Dyde, SVP, international licensee, will report to Wuthrich, with Caillaud overseeing Europe, P E O P LE I EMA TAPS FISHER AS EVP The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) has promoted former board member Mark Fisher to EVP. Fisher has overseen EMA membership since 1999, most recently serving as VP of membership and strategic initiatives. He currently handles membership retention and growth, member communication, and strategic planning and opportunities. W Gareton overseeing Asia and the Pacific, and Dyde coordinating international licensees. Last week, Philippe Cardon, president of WHV International, announced he was leaving the studio, ending a 23-year career. The studio said the changes are part of ongoing efforts to streamline all facets of home entertainment under one corporate roof. Wuthrich, who was SVP of digital distribution, is a strong proponent of digital distribution, including incorporating digital copy with a DVD or Blu-ray Disc. He has also been on the forefront of the company’s efforts to evaluate emerging technologies such as manufacturingon-demand and SD card kiosk devices. Wuthrich has been central to the development and growth of the home entertainment business, forming alliances with Apple, Amazon, Sony and Microsoft, and arranging deals with vendors to license Warner Bros.’ content for download. I BORDERS CUTS CORPORATE JOBS To consolidate its management and cut expenses in a tough economy, Borders Group has cut six VP and 10 director positions, mostly out of the company’s Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters. The company has eliminated the role of EVP of U.S. Stores, held by Ken Armstrong, as well as the roles of SVP and chief information officer, held by Susan Harwood. Other jobs eliminated were SVP of e-business; VP of real estate; VP of human resource services; and VP, creative. Steve Davis, SVP of Borders Group Operations, will head the store operations group. And separately, Borders announced Fred Boehler, SVP of logistics, will leave Borders Group. — Billy Gil Conspiracy Alleged SAG President Wants Allen Back Continued from page 6 The suits go on to say that when Wal-Mart agreed to shutter its online DVD rental service and give Netflix its customers, and Netflix agreed to promote WalMart as the place to buy DVDs, the businesses created an unfair monopoly, allowing Netflix to charge more than it would have for its rental service. The suits seek class-action status and unspecified damages for Netflix subscribers since May 2005. Netflix declined to comment on the suits. Michelle Bradford, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said, “We made our own independent decision to exit the DVD rental business, and our subsequent agreement with Netflix is entirely proper. We intend to defend vigorously our decisions regarding the products and services offered to our customers.” Continued from page 6 matter behind us and dedicate our complete focus to the needs of Screen Actors Guild members,” said David White, SAG interim national executive director, in a statement. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us.” Rosenberg, together with Anne-Marie Johnson, Diane Ladd and Kent McCord, had sought to void a coup last month by a majority of SAG board members that resulted in the termination of Allen and placement of a new negotiating team, headed by senior advisor John McGuire. Actors have been operating under an interim agreement since the previous contract expired last June. Rosenberg, in an e-mail to SAG members last month, decried the manner in which Allen was dismissed by a slim majority of the board. “I believe I do speak for the nearly 48% percent of the board who are deeply concerned about what was done yesterday and about how these changes were accomplished,” he wrote. “Allen was fired because he was simply too good, too strong, and too much a unionist.” Rosenberg said Allen’s refusal to engage in “pattern bargaining,” whereby SAG would agree to previous labor agreements between writers, directors, stage workers and daytime TV actors and the AMPTP, doomed him with some members of the board. Rosenberg has argued actors should receive a better deal for new media, a stance he’s taken believing SAG members have been shortchanged for years in DVD residuals. WARNER OFFERS ‘WATCHMEN’ COUPON IN 7 CATALOG TITLES By John Latchem arner Bros. is stepping up its promotional campaign for the upcoming superhero movie Watchmen by offering discount coupons in seven catalog titles. The coupons, good for $7.50 off a theater admission ticket, will be included in Warner Home Video’s 300, Catwoman, Constantine, Troy and the individual films of the “Matrix” trilogy. The repromoted DVD titles of the ticket deal street Feb. 24 at $19.96 each. The coupon also will be available in the previously announced Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic that streets March 3 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, who also directed 300, opens March 6. The coupons expire March 28. W B RIEFS CLASSIFIED SHOWCASE CO M P U T E R S O F T WA R E PA C K A G I N G I SONY PICTURES INVITES VIEWERS INTO CULT OF ‘QUARANTINE’ In advance of the Feb. 17 DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of horror film Quarantine, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is offering fans the chance to join the Quarantine Cult online at www.sonypictures. com/homevideo/quarantine. The online fan club will offer e-mail updates with news and information regarding Quarantine. Signing up to become a Quarantine Cult member also signs up users for the Sony Pictures Spotlight newsletter, with information on upcoming Sony movies, TV shows, DVDs, sweepstakes, events and more. Qualified individuals must be a sole or majority owner, general partner or full-time employee of an iDEA-member company in good standing, and they must receive two valid notices of nomination. Nominations must be received by April 15 and should be sent to Alan Goldstein, via mail to Alan Goldstein, secretary, iDEA, First Run Video, 927 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301; fax to 802/258-2617; or e-mail to alanbgo@firstrunvideo.com. More information can be found at www.idealink.org/election. USED TAPES & DVDS I IDEA REACHES 200 ‘HIDDEN GEMS’ EMA’s iDEA has hit 200 recommended independent DVD titles as part of its monthly Hidden Gems program. The program has taken place over the past 30 months and alerts video retailers to promising new independent releases. A five-judge panel rates titles on the basis of wide appeal, attention-grabbing box art, content and overall presentation. Hidden Gems can be found at www.iDEAHiddenGems.blogspot.com. — Billy Gil REDUCING YOUR INVENTORY? FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Wohlman (714) 338-6749 kwohlman@questex.com www.homemediamagazine.com I IDEA SEEKS BOARD NOMS The Independent Dealers of Entertainment Association (iDEA), an autonomous division of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) dedicated to independent video retailers, is asking its members to nominate candidates for three seats on its board of trustees. The election for three-year members will be held in the spring. We Buy VHS, and also DVD & Video Games xtreme deo E 733-7370 (203) Vi Home Media Magazine February 9–15, 2009 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.rapidrental.com http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/quarantine http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/quarantine http://www.idealink.org/election http://www.iDEAHiddenGems.blogspot.com http://www.homemediamagazine.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 Contents News Family Cine Mercado Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - News (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - News (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Family (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Family (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Cine Mercado (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Cine Mercado (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Reviews (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Reviews (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Reviews (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Reviews (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Pipeline (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Pipeline (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Top 20 Sellers (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Just Announced (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - February 9-15, 2009 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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