Home Media Magazine - May 25 - 31, 2008 - (Page 28)

TV DVD Edited by John Latchem www.homemediamagazine.com The Year of George M By John Latchem ore than 40 years after crashing into his first tree, “George of the Jungle” is as popular as ever. Following the original Jay Ward animated series and a live-action film, the char- Classic Media brings new ‘George of the Jungle’ to DVD Studio B, is aimed at 6- to 11-year-olds. Touches from the old show include the use of a narrator, George’s relationship with his animal pals, “and that classic theme song,” Blake said. The new show debuted with a Christmas special last year to mark acter is being introduced to a new generation of fans through a show on the Cartoon Network. Classic Media and Genius Products are bringing the first season of the new animated series to DVD Aug. 19 (prebook July 8) with the three-disc George of the Jungle: Swingin’ 1st Season at $29.93. Whereas the 1967 original series was intended to appeal to adults, Nicole Blake, SVP of marketing for Classic Media, said the new show, produced by Bullwinkle Studios and Canada’s “Highly Recommended this is an excellent show” –DVD Talk STARRING: ROBSON GREEN (Monarch of the Glen, Bad Girls) Dr. Tony Hill (Robson Green), a clinical psychologist with an extraordinary understanding of the criminal mind,must race against time to profile and track down vicious murderers before they strike again. KOC-DV-6539 • UPC: 7-41952-65399-8 • ISBN: 1-4172-3058-4 SRP: $59.98 • 4 DVD Set • 344 minutes • British TV/Mystery Dolby Digital • 16x9 Anamorphic • Production Year: 2007 DVD Extras: Interviews with Robson Green, Simone Lahbib and cast, author Val McDermid and production staff SIMONE LAHBIB (Grafters, Touching Evil) • Print ads in The Strand, British Weekly, Union Jack and more • TV spots running on BBC America Mystery Mondays • Extensive internet editorial and publicity outreach NATIONAL MARKETING & PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN Wire in the Blood: The Complete First Season KOC-DV-6603 • UPC: 7-41952-66039-2 ISBN: 1-4172-3137-8 • SRP: $59.98 3 DVD Set Wire in the Blood: The Complete Second Season KOC-DV-6638 • UPC: 7-41952-66389-8 ISBN: 1-4172-3172-6 • SRP: $59.98 4 DVD Set Wire in the Blood: The Complete Third Season KOC-DV-6646 • UPC: 7-41952-66469-7 ISBN: 1-4172-3180-7 • SRP: $59.98 4 DVD Set Wire in the Blood: The Complete Fourth Season KOC-DV-6517 • UPC: 7-41952-65179-6 ISBN: 1-4172-3036-3 • SRP: $59.98 4 DVD Set Pre-Book Date: 6/10/08 • Street Date: 7/8/08 © 2007 Coastal Productions. Authorized for sale in the United States and Canada under a license with Southern Star. All Rights Reserved. kochb2b.com Watch WIRE IN THE BLOOD clips at WWW.KOCHCLIPS.COM For more information visit WWW.KOCHB2B.COM the 40th anniversary of the original show’s premiere. Blake said a separate DVD release of the Christmas special is in the works. Producers also are planning a new special to air in August, which coincides with the DVD and creates additional marketing opportunities, Blake said. “It’s been an exciting year of George,” she said. Blake said the release of the new series offers a perfect opportunity to re-promote the DVD of the original series, which Genius and Classic released in February. That $19.93 two-disc set included all 17 episodes of the classic show, plus episodes of “Tom Slick” and “Super Chicken” and never-beforeseen episodes. “I was surprised to learn there were only 17 episodes,” said Robert Mayo, SVP and GM of home video for Classic Media. Blake said the longevity of the character is indelibly tied to the legacy of its creator, Ward, who also was responsible for such classics as “Rocky & Bullwinkle,” “Sherman and Mr. Peabody,” and “Dudley Do-Right.” She credits the 1997 Disney movie and its direct-to-video sequel for sustaining interest in the character. “A lot of kids today started watching the all new ‘George of the Jungle’ after watching VHS copies of the Disney movie,” Blake said. “It has a lot of awareness among kids and parents.” Blake said parents can trust the “George of the Jungle” brand because the series offers a positive message for today’s youth. “The original was created as a spoof of Tarzan,” Blake said. “So there’s a real sense of wonder in George, but he wins out because of his heart. It’s really the heart that makes the hero.” The show also fits perfectly with a society that is becoming more environmentally conscious, Blake said. Tying into that theme, Blake said the new “George of the Jungle” was involved in a recent Arbor Day promotion, during which George became somewhat of a mascot for Arbor Day, telling kids to “watch out for that tree.” Blake said Classic Media plans to support the new DVD with TV and online advertising, and possibly some radio spots, similar to the promotional campaign for the original-series DVD. Mayo said Classic Media is exploring the possibilities of offering retailers a two-pack with both the new and original series. 28 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://kochb2b.com http://WWW.KOCHCLIPS.COM http://www.kochB2B.COM http://kochb2b.com

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Home Media Magazine - May 25 - 31, 2008

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