AOL

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Laura Sanfilippo

Laura Sanfilippo

Source: AOL [20]

770 Broadway

New York, NY

10003

212-206-4400

KEY EXECUTIVES

CEO Tim Armstrong Source: corp.aol.com/leader/tim-armstrong

CEO Tim Armstrong
Source: Corp AOL [1]

President AOL Inc. and Executive VP Bob Lord Source: corp.aol.com/leader/bob-lord

President AOL Inc. and Executive VP Bob Lord
Source: AOL [3]

CFO and Executive VP Holly Hess Source: corp.aol.com/leader/holly-hess

CFO and Executive VP Holly Hess
Source: AOL [2]

Overview

America Online started out as an Internet service provider and has since become a multifaceted Internet giant. America Online is probably most known for its iconic “You’ve got mail” and for its email and instant messaging services, but it is so much more. Not only does AOL provide these more well known services, but it also produces original content, creates apps and continues to grow. The AOL Huffington Post Media Group (AOL HPMG) has over 350 million monthly consumers and consists of 56 sites, including The Huffington Post, Cambio, Moviefone, Mapquest, Engadget, and TechCrunch that lead in news, entertainment, digital, and community content [4]. The AOL HPMG has over 9,000 bloggers including celebrities and politicians, like Aaron Sorkin and Neil Young, who discuss topics making headlines today. The sites combine journalism, technology, engagement and video across all platforms[4]. Today the AOL HPMG is owned by Verizon with whom they continue to grow[4].

History

Source: Science Borealis [21]

America Online is an online platform that offers many different services, such as email, apps, video, and blogs that serves millions of people and has continued to grow since its origin. America Online was founded originally in 1985 with the name Quantum Computer Services by Steve Case [5]. It’s name was officially changed to America Online (AOL) in 1991[4]. Soon after, an instant messaging service and AOL’s classic “You’ve got mail” notification were launched [6]. In 1994 AOL hit one million users and began using advertisements within its service. No more than two years later it hit five million subscribers [7]. In 2011 AOL purchased the Huffington Post to form the AOL Huffington Post Media Group and it has continued to grow, buying services like Moviefone and Netscape, and Mapquest [4]. In early 2015 AOL was acquired by Verizon in an over four billion dollar acquisition [8].

AOL Originals

Citizen Mars Source: Engadget [22]

Making A Scene Source: Deadline [23]

Park Bench Source: AOL Advertising [24]

In addition to providing various online services, AOL also produces original content from some of the biggest names in Hollywood. AOL’s originals appeal to a wide variety of users because there is something for everyone. Currently in AOL’s library of originals are reality series spanning from #Candidly Nicole, a series following Nicole Richie, based off her Twitter feed, Citizen Mars, a series that follows the finalists for the one way mission to mars, and True Trans which follows trans musician Laura Jane Grace and other members of the trans community [9]. Also in their catalog are series from James Franco and Steve Buscemi. James Franco’s series “Making a Scene” is in it second season where Franco and his team take famous movies, and scenes and recreate them through Franco’s imagination [9]. Steve Buscemi’s acclaimed series “Park Bench With Steve Buscemi,” is a non fiction series hosted by, you guessed it, Steve Buscemi. He sits on a park bench and talks to a wide variety of guests including, Kenan Thompson, and Gilbert Gottfried [10]. The series was nominated for an Emmy in 2014 for Outstanding Short-Form Nonfiction Program [9]. This is only the cusp of AOL’s original content. Their library also includes comedy shows, shows about food, cars, and even ballet [9]. Everyone can find something for them on AOL originals.

Financials

AOL released its last financial update on May 8, 2015 [11]. Though not in the last few months, It contains all of AOL’s first quarter 2015 financial information. In this quarter AOL had a 12% increase in its advertising revenue, going from $433.4 million in the last quarter of 2014 to $483.5 million in the first quarter of 2015 [11]. Additionally, their price for global advertising has increased 10% [11]. These are both important because it is becoming harder and harder to reach people via advertising. If the price for advertising is going up, one can assume that AOL’s advertising strategies are effective. AOL has overall had a successful first quarter with an increased total revenue of 7% going from $583.3 million in the last quarter of 2014 to $625.1 million in the first quarter of 2015 [11].

Source: AOL Investor Relations http://ir.aol.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147895&p=quarterlyearnings

Source: AOL Investor Relations Presentation [11]

What’s New

In the past few months AOL has launched a number of new originals and services. In October, Jared Leto’s new series launched on Build called “Beyond the Horizon” which talks about the future of humanity and will have guests such as former Vice President Al Gore and author of The Martian Andy Weir [12].

Source: AOL Advertising advertising.aol.com

Beyond The Horizon Source: AOL Advertising [25]

Earlier this month AOL launched their new series on AOL.com called “Act Like A Musician” which brings together musicians and actors to talk about their passion and create music [13]. Danny Masterson, of “That 70s Show” fame, and The Strokes Albert Hammond Jr. join in the first episode to perform music and talk about their careers [14]. The series, which is currently in its third week, will be a limited run and end after six weeks [13].

In the recent months AOL has also launched various new apps and acquired thousands more. To target millennial users they launched the app “Kanvas” in late October [15]. The app is like a combination of Periscope and Snapchat [15]. It is similar to Snapchat in the sense that you can put filters and effects on your videos, but hopes to outdo the live streaming services, like Meerkat and Periscope, by not removing live streams after periods of time [15].

Kanvas Source: Entrepreneur [15]

In addition to creating a new app, AOL acquired Millennial Media granting them access to over 65 thousand apps and allowing them to reach over one billion global users [16]. It will also make available more advertising across ONE, AOL’s advertising service, by AOL [17], [27].

In September AOL launched LIVE by AOL which is a start to finish service for live events [18]. These productions will be distributed through AOL’s various channels such as Tech Crunch and The Huffington Post [18].

In October AOL went back to its email roots and relaunched ALTO, a service that puts all of your email accounts, be that Gmail or AOL, in one place [19]. ALTO has a dashboard, and many other features, to find the most important things among your email accounts [19]. The goal of ALTO is to make using email on your mobile device more user friendly.

Source: ALTO [26]

Wrap Up

In the past few months AOL has launched a number of new programs, videos, and made strategic acquisitions that gives it a leg up in the world we live in today. Its wide variety of online shows appeal to mass audiences. Its new app and newly launched shows appeal again to a wide crowd and specifically to the millennial generation. Its successful financial quarter will help AOL continue to grow.

[1] Corporate AOL. “Tim Armstrong.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/leader/tim-armstrong

[2] Corporate AOL. “Holly Hess.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/leader/holly-hess

[3] Corporate AOL. “Bob Lord.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/leader/bob-lord

[4] Corporate AOL. “AOL has a strong strategy, a clear mission and a firm commitment to delivering value.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/about-aol/overview

[5] Time. “A Brief Guide to the Tumultuous 30-Year History of AOL.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://time.com/3857628/aol-1985-history/

[6] The Washington Post. “25 Years of AOL: A Timeline.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/23/AR2010052303551.html

[7] CNBC. “Timeline: AOL Through the Years.’ Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.cnbc.com/2015/05/12/timeline-aol-through-the-years.html

[8] CNN Money. “Verizon Buys AOL for $4.4 Billion.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/12/investing/verizon-buys-aol/

[9] AOL. On. “Shows” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://on.aol.com/shows

[10] AOL. On. “Park Bench” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://on.aol.com/parkbench

[11] AOL Financial Information. “Q1 2015 Earnings Presentation.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://ir.aol.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147895&p=quarterlyearnings

[12] Beyond the Horizon. “Beyond the Horizon.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.aol.com/beyondthehorizon/

[13] AOL Press Releases. “Act Like a Musician Premieres on AOL.com.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/2015/11/16/act-like-a-musician-premieres-on-aol-com/

[14] Act Like A Musician. “S1E1.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.aol.com/actlikeamusician/519231493/

[15] Entrepreneur. “AOL Launches Live Streaming App That’s Part Periscope, Part Snapchat.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/252218

[16] TechCrunch. “AOL Confirms It’s Buying Millennial Media in $238M Deal To Expand Mobile Ads.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://techcrunch.com/2015/09/03/aol-acquires-millennial-media/

[17] Business Wire. “AOL to Deepen Its Programmatic Leadership with Agreement to Acquire Millennial Media.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150903005064/en/AOL-Deepen-Programmatic-Leadership-Agreement-Acquire-Millennial

[18] AOL Press Releases. “AOL Launches LIVE by AOL.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/2015/09/28/aol-launches-live-by-aol/

[19] AOL Press Releases. “AOL Launches ALTO.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/2015/10/28/aol-launches-alto/

[20] AOL. “AOL. image” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://corp.aol.com/

[21] Science Borealis. “America Online image.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://blog.scienceborealis.ca/youve-got-mail-and-everything-else-whats-a-science-blogger-to-do/

[22] Engadget. “Citizen Mars.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://www.engadget.com/citizen-mars/

[23] Deadline. “Hot Trailer: James Franco’s AOL Comedy Series Makes a Scene.” http://deadline.com/2014/09/james-franco-aol-trailer-scott-haze-ahna-oreilly-832391/

[24] AOL Advertising. “AOL Originals Releases Season 2 of ‘Park Bench with Steve Buscemi.'” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://advertising.aol.com/blog/aol-originals-releases-season-2-park-bench-steve-buscemi

[25] AOL Advertising. “Jared Leto’s ‘Beyond the Horizon’ Launches on AOL Build.” Retrieved November 30, 2015. http://advertising.aol.com/blog/jared-letos-beyond-horizon-launches-aol-build

[26] ALTO. “ALTO.’ Retrieved November 30, 2015. https://altomail.com/

[27] AOL Platforms. “ONE by AOL.” Retrieved December 1, 2015. http://www.aolplatforms.com/onebyaol

Columbia Pictures

Posted on December 1, 2014 by iwmccour

by Ian McCourt

Columbia Pictures

Image Courtesy Fortune.com [i]

Contact Information: [ii]

10202 West Washington Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90232

310-244-4000

www.sonypictures.com

Key Executives:

Michael Lynton CEO, Sony Entertainment, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Amy Pascal Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Doug Belgrad President, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President, Columbia Pictures

David Hendler Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Michael De Luca
President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Hannah Minghella President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Executives Photos and Information Courtesy of: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html [iii]

About Columbia Pictures:

In 1918, Harry and Jack Cohn formed CBC Film Sales with an associate of theirs, Joe Brandt. CBC Film Sales (Cohn-Brandt-Cohn) then produced small-budget short films and featurettes until a few experiments with feature films and an eye for larger profits prompted them to form Columbia Pictures Corporation in 1924. Columbia established itself in the cinema world, however, with the discovery of director Frank Capra in 1927. He would bring the company many Academy Awards, including the Best Picture films “It Happened One Night” and “You Can’t Take it With You.” Columbia would continue to grow and prosper as the decades moved past, and it was bought by Coca-Cola in 1982. However, a mere seven years later, Columbia Pictures and all of its holdings were bought by the Sony Corporation in 1989. [iv] It is now a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment‘s Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group, along with Tristar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics and Screengems. [v]

Financials:

It is to be noted that Sony’s Financial Reports for the Pictures Division encompasses not only Columbia Pictures, but also the Tristar Pictures and Screengems studios, as well as any TV production and distribution financials. Regardless, Sony Pictures Entertainment reported that revenue decreased 3% on a constant currency (U.S. dollar) standard to 1,671 million dollars for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 from 1,815 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013. [vi][vii] This was due to lower theatrical revenues due to fewer theatrical releases in Q2 FY14 as opposed to Q2 FY13. [viii] Sony predicts that the pictures division will make 8,100 million U.S. dollars for the total Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2015. [ix]

What’s Happening Now?

In 2014, Columbia Pictures has released nine films, three of which are still in theaters as of December 1, 2014. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and 22 Jump Street are leading in gross so far respectively, with 22 Jump Street still in theaters. [x]

22 Jump Street
This sequel to the hit 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and follows the adventures of Officers Schmidt and Jenko as they go undercover as college students. The film is directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xi]

In its opening weekend (June 13-15, 2014), 22 Jump Street opened at number one, making $57,071,445 domestically to its $50 million budget. The film is now in its twenty-third week, having made $331,333,876 worldwide as of December 1, 2014. [xii]

The Equalizer
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington stars as a man who has put his dark past behind him, only to return to his old ways when he meets a girl who is under the control of Russian gangsters. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xiii]

In its opening weekend (Sept. 26-28, 2014) The Equalizer opened number one at the box office, earning $34,137,828 to its $55 million budget. Now in its ninth week, the film has made $190,173,178 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xiv]

Fury
Fury, starring Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, and Shia LaBeouf, tells the tale of an Army Sergeant nicknamed Wardaddy (Pitt) who commands a Sherman tank with a five-man crew against amazing odds in an attempt to cripple Nazi Germany. The film is written and directed by David Ayer.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xv]

Opening number one at the box office, Fury made $23,702,421 to its $68 million budget during its opening weekend (Oct. 17-19, 2014). Going through its seventh week in theaters, Fury has made $171,707,000 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xvi] On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2014, the movie was free at Regal and AMC Theaters for all current personnel or veterans with a valid I.D. [xvii]

Ghostbusters (30th Anniversary Re-Release)
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters was back in theaters beginning August 29, 2014. [xviii] It tells the story of three parapsychology professors struggling for work who decide to open up a ghost removal business. It stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver. It is directed by Ivan Reitman. [xix]

Image Credit Fandango.com [xx]

The re-release opened at fifteenth its opening weekend (August 29-31, 2014), making $1,756,513. It closed on September 18, 2014, despite being advertised as only being open for one week. During this time, it made $3,580,343. This makes the film’s total lifetime gross $242,212,467 as of December 1, 2014. [xxi]

In Other News:

In early November, Columbia Pictures requested to a Florida federal court that its anti-piracy policies be kept secret. The information on these policies is now in a closed case between Hotfile, a file-sharing site that closed down in 2013, and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). [xxii] Columbia is insisting that if this information were released, it would render the company incapable to protect its copyrighted works. This comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the information is in the public interest and should be released. [xxiii]

Image Courtesy Dailytech [xxvi]

On November 24, 2014, hackers took control of Sony’s computer systems. A group claiming to be the hackers then criticized Sony CEO Michael Lynton in a tweet, calling him “a criminal.” [xxiv] Since then, versions of five films belonging to Sony Pictures have been released online: Annie, Fury, Still Alice, Mr. Turner, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Of those five films, only Fury has been released in theaters, but even that film hasn’t had a DVD release yet. These films are already reported to have been illegally downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. [xxv] Sony has since hired Mandiant Forensics Unit to clean up the attack, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations has begun looking into the incident. Sony has been looking to see if the attack was perpetrated by North Korea-backed hackers in retaliation to the upcoming release of the movie, The Interview, which is a comedy about an attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. [xxvii]

What’s To Come:

Annie

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxix]

One of the films leaked from the hack, Annie will be released in theaters on December 19, 2014. Starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz, this musical film tells of a young foster kid (Wallis) who toughs out the hard knock life of New York City in 2014. While it will be competing against Disney‘s Into The Woods, the film is predicted to make about $95 million. [xxviii]

The Interview

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxxi]

To be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014, The Interview is the latest comedy co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Starring Rogen and James Franco, the film is about journalist Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport from the popular TV show Skylark Tonight as they are hired by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong Un. It is predicted to make $90 million. [xxx]

[i] Columbia Pictures Logo. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[ii] Sony Pictures Contacts. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iii] Sony/Columbia Executives. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iv] History of Columbia Pictures. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[v] Sony Divisions. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[vi] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vii] Sony Financials Q2 FY13. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[viii] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vix] Sony Predictions. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[x] Columbia Films 2014. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xi] 22 Jump Street Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xii] 22 Jump Street Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xiii] The Equalizer Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xiv] The Equalizer Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xv] Fury Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xvi] Fury Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xvii] Fury Free for Veterans 11/11. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xviii] Ghostbusters Re-release Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xix] Ghostbusters Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xx] Ghostbusters Re-release Poster. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xxi] Ghostbusters Re-Release Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxii] Hotfile Shuts Down. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiii] Columbia Anti-Piracy Case. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Hackers take Sony. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxv] Sony Movies Leaked. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvi] Hackers Call Out Lynton on Twitter. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvii] Sony Responds to Hack. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxviii] Annie Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Annie Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxx] The Interview Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxxi] The Interview Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.

Hulu

Posted on October 5, 2014 by kdtinder

by Kay Tinder

OVERVIEW

Photo Courtesy of: technobuffalo.com

Hulu is a streaming video on demand (SVOD) service that allows the public to see clips, television series (scripted and reality), and movies virtually anywhere. Hulu offers free, ad-sponsored content as well as a membership package called Hulu Plus—a $7.99 monthly fee that gives a user a broader selection of content, lessens the burden of ads, and allows access to more platforms to view the content. Since the company is private, Hulu is not forced to disclose their financials. However, the company did announce that they reached $1 billion in revenue in 2013 [1].

Disney, 21^st Century Fox, and Comcast’s NBCUniversal share ownership in the company that has six million subscribers and has over 100,000 episodes and 5,400 films streaming [2]. The video streaming company has added more content, strengthened ties with various networks, interacted with the community, and experimented with new advertising models in order to stay competitive with ever changing new media.

NEW CONTENT

Photo Courtesy of: blog.hulu.com

James Franco released his much anticipated Saturday Night Live (SNL) documentary exclusively to Hulu’s Plus subscribers. Saturday Night started as Franco’s NYU Film School Project that gave a behind-the-scenes look at a week of SNL and the production process of a single episode [3]. Since its original film festival debuts, the documentary has received mostly positive reviews. Releasing content with such high buzz on a private service urges Hulu users to upgrade to Plus and pay a little extra to be part of the limited audience that sees exclusive content.

Photo Courtesy of: books.usatoday.com

Stephen King’s best-selling novel, 11/22/63, has just been ordered as a miniseries [4]. The Hulu Original will be split into nine, hour-long episodes. The drama follows Jake Epping, a high school English teacher, who travels through time to the late 50’s. His goal is to prevent the President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Both King and J.J. Abrams (Bad Robot Productions) are working as executive producers, with Bridget Carpenter and Bryan Burk as writers [5]. This will also be the first time Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) and Hulu will collaborate on original programming [4]. Having big names on this project will certainly add hype to the new show and bring more traffic towards Hulu.

Casual is a straight-to-series, half-hour comedy series about a brother and sister, the first single and the latter newly divorced, who navigate the modern dating world while also raising a teenager under one roof. The ten episode, single-camera production is to be produced by Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman and through Lionsgate Television [6]. Lionsgate adds to Hulu’s content connections while Reitman’s name and reputation bring in more customers.

Photo Courtesy of: www.projectcasting.com

ABC’s show Selfie , starring John Cho, was ordered to produce 13 episodes, but the comedy was cancelled after its seventh. Hulu decided to pick up the series and promised to release the six remaining episodes once a week, similar to its original television format [7]. It’s becoming more and more common for streaming services to save shows that are cancelled from traditional cable. Often they will finish whatever content they have produced or buy the rights and continue to produce more seasons.

Around the same time FX announced they would be streaming every the Simpsons episode ever produced, Hulu released that all 17 seasons of South Park would be available on Hulu, with new episodes available the day after they air [8]. This is just one of the many series Hulu makes binge-able while also keeping it up-to-date, a service that other streaming competitors do not provide.

Big names with a reputation of consistently producing good content litter Hulu’s upcoming shows. No doubt, Hulu’s continuous name-dropping will continue to draw people to its streaming services.

VIACOM

Photo Courtesy of: tvweek.com

Hulu has just expanded its deal with Viacom, increasing the amount and diversity of content on both Hulu and Hulu Plus. Viacom owns a diverse array of networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and TVLand. Already streaming shows like the Colbert Report, Breadwinners, and Awkward, Hulu will be adding Invader Zim, Workaholics, Spongebob Squarepants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—the final two being streamed in Spanish. They will also be refreshing already present content to include full past season of the Jersey Shore, Catfish, and many more [9]. This strengthened relationship could lead to more exclusive content in the future that would entice consumers to purchase Hulu Plus over other competitors.

APP UPDATES

Hulu has upgraded its free iOS app for Hulu Plus subscribers. Three new panels have been added to the initial screen. “Home” gives a selection of the best or popular content handpicked by Hulu. “Shows you Watch” keeps track of the shows you watch and makes them easily accessible. “Navigation” provides the categorized list of all of Hulu’s content.

Photo Courtesy of: blog.hulu.com 2

“Cast to TV” allows members to throw whatever they’re watching onto their television. Now, the new app will allow your phone to become the remote [10]. As more people turn to their phones and tablets to view content, Hulu’s refined app will serve as a plus for users.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

On October 16^th, 2014, the streaming service showed its support for the LGBT community when converting its usual green accents to purple for a day.

Photo Courtesy of: blog.hulu.com

To celebrate national #SpiritDay, Hulu highlighted LGBT-inclusive television series and films, including Ugly Betty, uncensored Sailor Moon, and Hulu Origianl East Los High—which also has an all-Latino cast. On this day, Hulu also reminded the public their partnership with GLADD, and Hulu’s ambition to have all backgrounds and cultures represented in their services [11]. Hulu is trying to show that they truly care about their audience and not just their money. They want all to feel relevant and welcome to their services.

ADVERTISING

Advertising on Hulu is affective, interactive, and integrated. Hulu has brought creative advertising techniques into their services that often leave competitors in the dust. Using choice-based ads allows the user to feel some power in what they watch and also helps advertisers target their market. Less wasted impressions means more money from advertisers, more money for Hulu, and less advertisements.

Photo Courtesy of: jinglepunks.com

Subway produced 4 to 9ers, six ten-minute episodes about high schoolers and their first part-time jobs. The main character works in a Subway and the business’s logo is in almost every frame. The integrated marketing technique was a huge hit and topped as Hulu’s most popular short-form comedy series [12]. Despite its success with unique advertising, Hulu is having some doubts.

Mike Hopkins, CEO of Hulu, is reconsidering the amount of ads shown on Hulu Plus. In December 2013, Hulu would show an average of 82.3 ads per month, versus YouTube’s 32.3 ad average per viewer [13]. Showing this amount of ads may bring in money, but is incredibly risky, especially on a service that’s paid for. If too many ads are shown, users will ditch Hulu, much like cable, and opt for a service that’s cheaper or shows fewer ads. Hulu is on the right track by constantly looking for new methods of marketing. Replacing traditional advertisements with integrated marketing, like 4 to 9ers, makes advertising seem more like content rather than harassment.

[1] http://blog.hulu.com/2013/12/18/a-strong-2013/

[2] http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/hulu-renews-viacom-deal-expanding-selection-of-nickelodeon-shows-1201341031/

[3] http://blog.hulu.com/2014/09/26/james-francos-snl-documentary-debuts-on-hulu/

[4] http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/hulu-orders-stephen-kings-112263-kennedy-assassination-thriller-series-from-j-j-abrams-1201310792/

[5] http://nypost.com/2014/09/22/stephen-kings-book-on-jfk-assassination-to-be-hulu-series/

[6] http://blog.hulu.com/2014/10/30/jason-reitmans-casual-comes-to-hulu/

[7] http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/25/showbiz/tv/selfie-hulu-episodes/

[8] http://blog.hulu.com/2014/09/26/all-seasons-of-south-park-now-on-hulu/

[9] http://www.cnet.com/news/happy-happy-joy-joy-hulu-scores-cult-toon-classics/

[10] http://blog.hulu.com/2014/10/01/introducing-the-reimagined-hulu-plus-app-for-iphone/

[11] http://blog.hulu.com/2014/10/16/hulu-goes-purple-for-spiritday/

[12] http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/subway-serves-up-second-season-of-hulus-4-to-9ers-exclusive-1200325496/

[13] http://nypost.com/2014/10/08/hulu-ceo-mulls-cutting-number-of-ads-running-on-hulu-plus/

Columbia Pictures

Posted on October 5, 2014 by jvelez03

by Javier Vélez

Columbia Pictures

Courtesy of fortune.com (a)

Contact Information: (b)

Address: 10202 W. Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

Phone: 310-244-4000

http://www.sonypictures.com/

Key Executives: (c)

Doug Belgrad (President)

Robert Osher (COO of Columbia Pictures)

Hannah Minghella (President of Production)

Michael De Luca (President of Production)

About Columbia Pictures:

Rita Hayworth Courtesy of: Fanpop.com

The production studio known today as Columbia Pictures was founded in 1918 by Joe Brandt and brothers Jack and Harry Cohn. Originally named Cohn-Brandt-Cohn Film Sales, the company became Columbia Pictures in 1924. During the Hollywood Golden Age, Columbia had many stars of the era under contract, such as Rita Hayworth and William Holden, and became a major player in the movie business thanks to the productions of director Frank Capra.(d) In 1982, the company was bought by Coca-Cola, and in 1989 Sony purchased it for $3.4 billion.(e) Columbia Pictures is currently the film production and distribution division of Sony Picture’s Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a Sony subsidiary.(f) The most recent movement at the executive level occurred on July 16, 2014, when Doug Belgrad was promoted to president of the Sony Motion Picture Group. (g)

Financials:

Columbia Pictures, and its parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment, are privately traded.(h) The company has had notable releases in the last few years, including box office successes such as Skyfall and the Spider-Man franchise. From its 853 films produced or distributed for Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures releases have grossed $31,650,056,784, an average of $37 million per film.(i) In 2014, Columbia Pictures has held a 13.0% market share as of November 23.(j)

The Amazing Spider-Man Courtesy of Boxofficemojo.com

Columbia Pictures Success:

At the 2014 Oscars, films distributed by Columbia Pictures received 16 nominations. American Hustle received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Director. It won two Oscars, Jennifer Lawrence for Best Supporting Actress and David O. Russell & Eric Warren Singer for Best Original Screenplay. (k)

American Hustle poster Courtesy of: Forbes.com

The other Columbia release that received Oscar Nominations was Captain Phillips. Of the six nominations received, the most noteworthy were for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for first-time actor Barkhad Abdi. The film did not win any Academy Awards.

The stars of Captain Phillips, Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi Courtesy of aceshowbiz.com

Columbia Pictures Presents:

Columbia Pictures has produced and/or distributed 17 films in 2014. Between superhero films, action films, and comedies, among others, the studio has released some of the most well-received films of the year by audiences.

During the summer, Columbia Pictures produced the sequel to 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Jamie Foxx. The movie was released on May 2, 2014 in 4,324 theaters, grossing $110,700,722 in its first week. It went on to have a successful run in theaters, grossing over $200 million domestically and over $505 million in foreign markets, for a worldwide gross of $708, 983, 323 against a budget of $200 million. (l) In China, the movie was released in 11,002 theaters, a record amount of screens. (m) The film was not as big a hit with critics, receiving mixed reviews. (n)

Teaser Poster for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Courtesy of: Boxofficemojo.com

Another high-profile release in the summer of 2014 was 22 Jump Street, the sequel to 2012’s critical and commercial hit, 21 Jump Street. The movie, which pokes fun at conventional sequels, starred the buddy cop team of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as they move on from high school to college.

It was released on June 13, 2014, and went on to gross $191 million domestically, making up its $50 million budget. Internationally, the film made $131 million, for a total worldwide gross of $331 million. It was also well-received by critics, obtaining a 84% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (o) (p)

Now Playing:

The Equalizer poster Courtesy of: IMDB.com

After the summer blockbuster season, Columbia Pictures has released two films that have been well-received by audiences. The first is “The Equalizer”, an action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington as a retired government official who must save an innocent girl from Russian gangsters. The film was released on September 26, 2014. (q) It is adapted from a TV series of the same name that aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. (r) This is Fuqua’s and Denzel’s first film together since Training Day, for which Denzel won an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film opened its box office run with a $45 million gross its first week, opening in first place. It went on to gross $99 million domestically and $90 million in international sales, for a worldwide gross of around $190 million against a budget of $55 million. (s) The film received mixed-to-positive reviews. (t)

The other film Columbia has released in the fall is “Fury”, a World War II tank movie starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman, written and directed by David Ayer. The movie deals with a tank unit behind enemy lines during the latter stages of the war and presents, with unflinching reality, the brutalities of war. (u) The film was released on October 17, 2014 and opened in first place at the box office with a $33 million gross its first week. “Fury” is still in theaters, and as of November 28, 2014 has grossed approximately $81 million domestically and $74 million globally, good for a total gross of $155 million against a budget of $68 million. For the week of November 21-27, the film’s sixth week, “Fury” was still in the top 10 highest grossing films of the week. (v) (w) The film has been well-received by critics, holding a 78% “Certified Fresh” Rotten Tomatoes rating. (x)

Future:

Annie (2014) poster Courtesy of: IMDB.com

Columbia Pictures plans to take advantage of the holiday season, distributing two films. The first is a modern re-telling of the musical “Annie”,produced by Jay-Z and starring Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis. The movie will be released on December 19, 2014. The comedy-musical will look to appeal to a broad audience. (y)

Another film being distributed in December by Columbia Pictures is the comedy “The Interview”. The controversial film (z) stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as a TV presenter and his producer, respectively, who are sent to North Korea to kill Kim Jong-un. The film will be released on December 25, 2014, and will look to appeal to mature audiences on Christmas Day. (aa)

Movies to be distributed and/or produced by Columbia Pictures in the following years include a Neill Blomkamp film titled Chappie, an Angry Birds movie, and spin-offs of the Amazing Spider-Man franchise. (bb) Also in production is the next installment in the Bond franchise, with the working title of Bond 24. The film will once again be helmed by “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes and will star Daniel Craig as the titular 007 agent and Christoph Waltz as a Bond villain. It is yet to be seen how production of these and other Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures films will be altered by the November 24, 2014 hacks on their worldwide computer networks. Recent releases like “Fury” and soon-to-be-released features like “Annie” were leaked by this attack. (cc) (dd)

Sources:

(a) Columbia Pictures information on Fortune.com
(b) Columbia Pictures contact information on Yahoo! Finance
(c) Columbia Pictures senior management
(d) Columbia Pictures history
(e) Yahoo! Finance company profile
(f) Sony Entertainment Divisions
(g) Doug Belgrad promoted to president
(h) Google Company Summary
(i) Sony/Columbia All-Time Box Office
(j) Studio Market Share
(k) American Hustle at the Oscars
(l) Amazing Spider-Man 2 Box Office results
(m) Amazing Spider-Man 2 at the Chinese box office
(n) Amazing Spider-Man 2 Critical Reception
(o) 22 Jump Street Box Office results
(p) 22 Jump Street Critical Reception
(q) The Equalizer IMDB information
(r) The Equalizer Remake Information
(s) The Equalizer Box Office results
(t) The Equalizer Critical Reception
(u) Fury IMDB information
(v) Fury Box Office summary
(w) Fury Box Office weekly
(x) Fury Critical Reception
(y) Annie IMDB information
(z) The Interview controversy with North Korea
(aa) The Interview IMDB information
(bb) Amazing Spider-Man franchise spin-offs
(cc) Hackers paralyze Sony computers
(dd) Sony films are released online illegally

Columbia-TriStar Pictures

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Alexandra Trifunovic

Columbia/TriStar Pictures

COLUMBIA/TRISTAR PICTURES:

10202 W Washington Blvd

Culver City, California 90232 [1]

Telephone: (310) 224-4000

Website: www.sonypictures.com

Executives:

Co-Chairman & CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment: Michael Lynton [4]

Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment; Chairman, Sony Pictures: Amy Pascal

President, Columbia Pictures: Doug Belgrad [3]

Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Holdings:

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

Columbia Pictures

TriStar Pictures

Locations:

Headquarters: Culver City, CA [1]

Columbia Pictures Producciones Mexico: Mexico City

Columbia Pictures Producciones Espanolas: Madrid, Spain

Columbia Pictures Production Asia: Hong Kong [2]

Additional operation in Japan, Brazil, UK

Competition:

The Walt Disney Studios [1]

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.

Warner Brothers Pictures

Who Is Columbia/TriStar Pictures:

Columbia and TriStar Pictures function as divisions under the Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) [2]. Columbia Pictures produces Sony Pictures’ commercial motion pictures. TriStar Pictures allocates and markets Sony Pictures’ Entertainment films, distributing entertainment to over 150 countries around the globe [5] [11].

Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group has released many notable franchises such as the James Bond, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Men In Black franchises [6]. The Sony Pictures library includes over 3,500 films, 12 of which have won Academy Award Best Picture [2].

Having appeared since the creation of Columbia, the “Columbia Lady” paves the way for each and every motion picture. It is the studio’s icon [22].

History:

Columbia Pictures was the 1918 creation of Jack Cohn, Joe Brandt and Harry Cohn, who began by making short films [9]. By 1922, CBC Films – first named after its creators – produced the very famous, More to Be Pitied Than Scorned. Within the next two years, CBC Films transformed into Columbia Pictures Corporation.

Columbia Pictures began to rise in fame when renowned director, Frank Capra, began directing in 1927 [9]. He took the company by surprise with its first Best Picture Academy Award for the film, It Happened One Night (1934). He was also the reason for the studio’s first “talkie” film.

By 1982, The Coca-Cola Company purchased Columbia Pictures [9].

By 1983, TriStar Pictures was created when Columbia came together with HBO and CBS. Seeing that it was one of the newest production studios, it quickly surfaced as a chief competitor in the film arena by releasing popular blockbusters such as The Natural and Peggy Sue Got Married.

By 1989, Sony Corporation purchased Columbia Pictures from Coca-Cola [9]. The new owner positioned Columbia beneath its new division, Sony Pictures Entertainment. They company also transferred from Burbank to Culver City, CA. Here is where the studio produced such classics like Gone With the Wind and Citizen Kane. They produced these on the MGM lot.

In 2000, Sony created Sony Pictures Digital, which was comprised of Sony Picture Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation [9]. Imageworks developed CGI and VFX for Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group and the animation division. Animated feature films were produced by the animation division in Sony.

Today, the Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group releases Sony Pictures’ biggest films. These include 21 Jump Street, Julie and Julia, Men in Black 3, Zero Dark Thirty (5 Academy Award Nomination & Best Picture), and Skyfall – to only name a few [7].

Winter-Spring 2013:

Skyfall [28]

Action/Adventure/Crime

Worldwide Gross: $872 million

Budget: $200 million

U.S. Release Date: Nov 9

Directed by Sam Mendes

Produced by Michael G. Wilson & Barbara Broccoli

Featuring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, & Bereniche Marlohe

“The name is Bond…James Bond”.

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond in the 23rd installment of the Bond franchise, which is the longest-running film franchise ever. Skyfall delves into M’s secret past where Bond’s loyalty to her is tested. He is challenged to trace the threat and dispose of it at whatever cost [29].

This film was not only the highest-grossing film in the UK but it also marked Judi Dench’s final performance as M!

Zero Dark Thirty [20]

zero-dark-thirty1

Action/Drama/History

Worldwide Gross:$108,614,949

Budget: $40 Million

U.S. Release Date: Dec 19

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Written & Produced: Mark Boal

Featuring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgarton, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, Edgar Ramirez, & Jennifer Enle

The masterminds behind The Hurt Locker (2008), Kathryn and Mark Boal, came together once more to produce this motion picture. They collaborated with Sony Pictures who made this the last feature to be released for the 2012 calendar year [18].

After a decade of searching for the “most wanted man,” Zero Dark Thirty details the story of the chase for Osama Bin Laden that began after the horrific events of 9/11.

Upcoming Spring-Summer 2013:

After Earth [19]

Science-Fiction/Thriller

Budget: $130 Million

U.S. Release Date: June 7

AFTER EARTH TRAILER 2013

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Produced by Caleeb Pinkett, Will Smith, James Lassiter, & M. Night Shymalan

Featuring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Kristofer Hivju, Gabriel Caste

The last of the human race is forced to leave Earth and instead travel through space. After 100 years of travel, they arrive to a place called Nova Prime and they must build a modern civilization of their own [19].

This Is The End [25]

Comedy

Budget: n/a

U.S. Release Date: June 14

THIS IS THE END TRAILER 2013

Directed by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg

Produced by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, & James Weaver

Featuring: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride

Friendships are tested when six friends are stuck in a Los Angeles home after catastrophic events take place [25].

Recent News:

As was said before, Skyfall became the highest grossing Bond film ever before. It beat its previous record of $3.5 billion (2009) and earned over $4 billion [28]. This has led to Sony Picture Entertainment becoming the highest grossing movie studio for the year. In accordance with Skyfall, Sony’s other releases – The Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black 3, and Zero Dark Thirty helped reach that highest grossing title. For 2012, Sony Pictures released a total of 9 blockbuster films. The release of films is at a low point currently but they will pick up for the end of spring into summer with Will Smith’s After Earth.

Rumors spread that Sony was having financial issues and needed to sell the film division. Thankfully, these rumors have been squashed and the CEO of Sony Corporation, Kazuo Hirai, stated that Sony would not be selling. Instead, Hirai states that Sony is nearing its comeback [20].

For only the 6^th time in Oscar history, Zero Dark Thirty’s hunt for Osama Bin Laden and Skyfall, the latest movie in the Bond franchise, were tied in the Sound Editing category [10].

Works Cited:

[1]: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Columbia_TriStar_Motion_Picture_Group.9a3fb312ea9f08a6.html

[2]: Sony Pictures http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

[3]: Company overview of Columbia Pictures http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8033824

[4]: Senior Management Team http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html

[5]: Company overview of TriStar http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7913345

[6]: Looper IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/

[7]: Columbia Pictures Films http://www.imdb.com/company/co0071509/

[8]: James Bond Press Release http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2012/08_12/082912_anniversary.html

[9]: Sony Pictures History http://www.sonypicturesmuseum.com/studio/history

[10]: Zero Dark Thirty article http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/inaccuracies-push-zero-dark-thirty-out-of-the-picture-at-the-oscars-8508910.html

[11]: About Sony Pictures http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/aboutsonypictures.html