Updates are Crucial for Focus Features Site

Focus Features uses several elements on their Website to promote the company’s films or actors. However, consistency for the site needs to be addressed. Focus Features needs to update information on the site, specifically in the “People in Film” section.

This section on the site features interviews and reviews of actors, which reveal information on each individual. The section lets readers take a more personal look at famous and up and coming actors. This is a smart approach for Focus Features to add to the site. But after introducing this section to fans and visitors it should not be forgotten.  

This is a pivotal part of how users find information about the company. Not only does this affect users, but it also affects the company’s reputation. The company’s last story in this section was dated February 13, 2009. A year and a little over two months later Focus Features fans are still waiting.

Improvements need to be done for this section. If posting in the “People in Film” is not updated, the company should consider removing it completely. Although this is only in one section of the site, sporadic visitors could stumble upon this section and judge the entire site based on the inconsistency.

Focus Promotes Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Focus Features promotes the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2010 a 10 day event presented by Home Box Office.

                The event started on April 23 and will last until May 2 this year. A variety of films will be shown including the French language Xavier Dolan’s “I Killed My Mother.” This is a brilliantly captivating dark-comedy about a young Montreal high school student Hubert, who fights and argues with his mother, Chantal. After Hubert is romantically and sexually involved with another boy in his class Antonin, Hubert and Chantal relationship becomes toxic.

The preview for the movie is artistically sinister claiming everyone at some point in their life has hated their mother. “I Killed My Mother” is just one of the many creatively crafted films featured in the festival.

Focus Features promotes the festival in order to appeal to a diverse demographic. They can maintain their current fans who appreciate creative films, while reaching out to fans of the Gay and Lesbian film festival. The public relations team at Focus Features comes up with innovative ways to promote film while promoting the company. By branching out to a different genre of film, it lets fans of Focus Features know the company incorporates all types of cinematography.

 Check out the preview for the movie here.

Focus on Green

Just in time for Earth Day the team at Focus Features worked hard to reduce their carbon footprint.

The site features a large icon the reads “Green lives here. Green is universal. Make a difference click here.” The link brings the visitor to the Green is Universal site. Visitors can take a quiz to find out their shade of green (I’m forest green by the way). Another icon asks visitors “How will you help the Earth?” and provides a link to tell everyone on Facebook.  

Several different links provides information for visitors to test their knowledge on everything green. Even the application “iBloom” lets users plant a virtual seed and tend to its needs, in order to promote the green theme.

A “Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth” is an organization raising awareness and funds to protect the Earth. The Green is Universal has teamed up with this organization and all proceeds will benefit the four leading non-profits Conservation International, The Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, and The Central Park Conservancy.

Focus Features also provides a link to Gordon Ampel’s Green Blog. He is the Vice President of Global Operations, and according to the site “he works to spread environmental consciousness throughout the company’s offices globally and individually.”

But Focus Features doesn’t stop there. The 2009 movie “Away We Go” is also featured on the site. Although it isn’t exactly new, it’s still relevant to the going green theme, because the entire movie production went green.

A video is featured on the site explaining why and how the movie production went green. The video does run a tad long (6 minutes and 35 seconds to be exact), but Focus Features tries to go over several different topics on the green theme. In addition, more links on related green articles can also be found on the site.

Focus Features uses the impact strategy to grab the attention of visitors to the site. By providing links, games, quizzes and more makes the visitors feel like they are a part of the green movement, this would also qualify under human interest. These are two strategies Focus Features uses quite frequently. Timeliness is another tactic being used to promote Earth Day. Furthermore, personal appearances would also qualify for this public relations tactic, by showing the actors and movie set going green. Gordon Ampel would be considered personal appearance as well because he is an expert in the field.

These public relations tactics were executed perfectly. Focus Features had every detail planned out in order to show fans that they care about the environment. This could potentially help Focus Features receive new fans and earn respect from the many others who contribute to help the environment by going green. 

Flashback Series Uses Public Relation Tactics

            Ever wonder what happened on this day 20 or more years ago? Well Focus Features has it covered. The team at Focus Features has a “Flashback” series that explores what happened in movie history.

            Recent attention for “Flashback” series is given to the "Annie Hall" release on April 20, 1977. The article by Scott Macaulay described the film to familiarize readers and possibly introduce it to a younger audience.

“[The movie’s plot is about] an awkward guy, a kooky and unpredictable girl, a structure that playfully jumps backward and forward in time,” according to the article.

            The “Flashback” then compares the film to the Marc Webb’s 2009 release “500 Days of Summer.” The two films are put side by side because the concept is similar in plot and features moments of the relationship occurring out of order. The innovative comedies also share the familiar theme of “boy gets girl and then boy loses girl.” 

            Several quotes from "Annie Hall" are mentioned and inside jokes from the movie appear throughout the article. This public relations tactic is one of human interest, and timeliness. It bringing nostalgia for the generation it became popular in, as well as enticing others to watch. The “Flashback” series offers these qualities to Focus Features readers and film fans alike. The public relations team at Focus Features uses these strategies in order to bring more readers, from every age group. The “Flashback” series is on the right track to accomplish Focus Features’ goals.

Director Blogs for Focus Features

“The American” is set to be released this September, and director Anton Corbijn,  is letting everyone in on the production through his very own blog.  

George Clooney stars in the suspense thriller playing Jack, an assassin on his last assignment in Italy. Corbijn explains working on the film, 

“For this screening we’re putting proper sound onto the picture which is also being graded albeit on HD, not film yet. It is exciting to hear the sound coming along so well.”

He updates his blog with picturesque photos of scenes from the film. Clooney is featured in several of the pictures, which doesn't hurt for publicity.

Still Corbijn dedicates time away from filming in Italy to post the latest information about the movie.

By posting a blog anyone can read everything Corbijn posts. Readers can comment, and share the blog on other sites. This public relations tactic will increase awareness about the film, promote communicating with readers, and most importantly bring attention to Focus Features upcoming film, “The American.”

Here’s some other pictures. But for even more visit The American blog by Anton Corbijn. “The American” in theaters September 2010.

Focus Features is Blogging

Focus Features explores a familiar medium, blogging which was posted Friday April 9, concerning the film, “A Serious Man.” 

The Editor’s blog by Nick Dawson briefly describes how some people express a lack, or death as it was referred to, of film criticism articles. But, Focus Features rises to the occasion and offers a solution.

Dana Stevens presents a new series of videos on the Website, Slate under Dana’s Home Theater. Stevens supplies reviews for her favorite recently released films.  The blog includes a link and video for Stevens’ review of Focus Features’, “A Serious Man.”

Focus Features has used the negative comment from a tweeter, “Someone please write an article proclaiming the death of ‘death of the film criticism’ articles,” and creates a positive public relations tactic.

The editor’s blog is a public relations strategy to involve the public into the corporation. The element of human interest is used by providing a blog for the public. The editor’s blog includes current information, while developing a connection within the Focus Features film company for its readers.

In addition, Focus Features was also able to connect with a journalist, a relationship that is especially important to establish. Focus Features sought out a journalist, which will undoubtedly add readers to Stevens’ site.   

However, most important, but often overlooked is the original tweeter that started it all. Focus Features was able to address the original tweet and even quote it in the blog. This is a significant factor for the company to achieve success, because they are addressing original issue. This also demonstrates that Focus Features is making time for film fans and finding out what is important to them. Focus Features maintains their relationships with fans, possibly finds new fans, and is still  able to promote their latest movie, “A Serious Man.”

Here's the trailer for "A Serious Man," enjoy!

Using Media to Promote the Due Date of the Film, ‘Babies’

Focus Features’ documentary explores the life of four babies from around the world, chronicling their births up until their first steps, will be released April 16. USATODAY has already published an article about the constant attention for the film.

Susan Wloszcyna, film reporter for USATODAY, even compares the upcoming Babies, to the 2005 Academy Award Best Documentary Feature, March of the Penguins.

“If you were enraptured by just-hatched creatures of March of the Penguins, wait until you see Babies,” according to Wloszcyna.

But, the public relations tactics for Babies doesn’t stop with news articles. In fact, Focus Features "Babies,"  is making every attempt to crawl into the social networking sites such as Facebook, and Twitter.

Tweets from the official Focus Features site are filled with all things Babies.

“Create a custom slideshow of your baby with music from #BABIES! Grab the widget on the official BABIES site & share,” according to the site.

Focus Features and Babies are taking charge of this opportunity to promote the film, just in time for Mother’s Day. A sweepstakes event is featured on Facebook. It is sponsored by Kodak  and is encouraging people to enter the contest. The site has more than 14,000 fans.

“In celebration we invite you to enter for a chance to have your baby featured on the DVD,” according to the site.

Focus Features has also teamed up with another successful business, Apple.

The site’s tweet reads,“Download the free #BABIES Day In A Life #iPhone App to capture pics/vids in our photo journal & share w fam &friends!”

Tweeting the announcement was timely in addition to adding a human interest element. This is a fantastic way to get parents, as well as fans of the film involved and excited for the Babies release. Focus Features is using the latest and fastest way to communicate messages to billions of people all at once.