my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Ground Level   » Marketing New Concession

Author Topic: Marketing New Concession Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-31-2004 11:22 AM                     Hello, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Gary Davidson and I work for a company in Los Angeles that is developing a new (top secret) concession idea for theaters across the country, and around the world. I have a general marketing question: Through research I’ve discovered that the theatrical exhibition business is very fragmented. For example, over half of the 6000 or so theaters in the U.S. are run by companies with 10 sites or less, many of them with only one. So in marketing our new product what is the best way to reach all these potential buyers? ShoWest? Sell regionally with a sales force? Advertising? Thanks! Gary Davidson  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 01-31-2004 03:53 PM                     Almost everyone reads Boxoffice Magazine. I don't know how many of the corporate big boys attend ShoWest and similar venues but that would also be a good idea. You might try direct contact with the biggies. There aren't that many of them and they seem to be becoming fewer as one gobbles up another. As far as the single screen and small circuit operators go that's a toughie. Many don't belong but you might try National Theatre Owners Association and United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association. They both have websites.  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-31-2004 04:06 PM                     Thanks, Bob. I will follow up on your advice. Gary davidson  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-31-2004 04:19 PM                        If this product isn't specific to theatres, check out the National Association of Concessionaires. I don't know much about them, but they have an annual trade show that is covered in Boxoffice. For what it's worth, I would worry about selling to the big exhibitors before I spent much time with independents. The single-screen independent houses which I have been involved with all sell relatively limited concession products (mostly popcorn, soda, candy, bottled watter, coffee, maybe a few other items) and probably aren't as interested/able to expand their menu as the gigaplexes with their $100k concession stands.  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-31-2004 07:20 PM                     Thanks, Scott. Gary Davidson  |  IP: Logged Jason Black Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1723 From: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 01-31-2004 07:26 PM                        Gary, It would help for you to not have your email account blocked. I would have offered to send you our Concession VP's contact infomation. Seeing that your email address is blocked, I won't.  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-31-2004 07:38 PM                     Jason, My bad. I was so anxious to sign onto this forum I neglected to click a few of the right buttons. I've gone back and corrected my profile.  |  IP: Logged Adam Fraser Master Film Handler Posts: 499 From: Houghton Lake, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2001 posted 01-31-2004 10:17 PM                        Most independents deal with local and regional concession suppliers (warehouses) it may be a good idea to get to know a few of them. Also direct mailing to individual theatres may work, just keep it so it doesn't look like junk mail.  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 02-01-2004 12:36 AM                     Thanks, Adam. Good suggestion.  |  IP: Logged Lance C. McFetridge Expert Film Handler Posts: 135 From: Penn Yan, New York Registered: Jul 99 posted 02-01-2004 06:30 AM                     Gary, Is this "new (top secret) concession idea for theaters across the country" a consumable product? That may influence which direction you are led. lance  |  IP: Logged Gary Davidson Expert Film Handler Posts: 101 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 02-01-2004 07:24 PM                     Lance, good point. Actually, no, it is not a consumable product. It sits in the lobby, but is not a consumable.  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 02-01-2004 10:03 PM                    Is it Ian? I think he sits in the lobby but I'm not sure he's consumable.  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 02-03-2004 08:02 PM                        Nah, Ian sits in the office and plays on the internet, sometimes even gracing us with his presence in the Film-Tech chat room.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.