Pathmark Runs 'October Fest'
mark Stores here has been running a monthlong "October Video Rental Fest," offering all new releases and video games for 99 cents per day, every day. Catalog videos were advertised for "Rent One for 99 cents, Get Two Free."
The promotion was advertised in the chain's Oct. 16 circular, with a box on an inside page, and a flag on the cover calling attention to it.
Warner Announces 'Reel' Promotion
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- During the East Coast Video Show here, Warner Home Video, Burbank, Calif., announced a major video rental promotion to support seven movies to be released between Dec. 16, 1997, and Jan. 6, 1998.
Called "Reel Rentals II," the promotion will back movies that earned a cumulative total of more than $220 million at the box office with consumer and retailer offers. The titles are: "Conspiracy Theory," "Contact," "Fire Down Below," "Hoodlum," "187," "Steel" and "Trojan War." All are Warner titles, except "Hoodlum," which is from MGM Home Entertainment, Santa Monica, Calif.
Consumers who rent three videos -- any two of the featured titles, plus any other video from the store -- can receive a free Warner Bros. Sportwatch via mail-in coupons that will be available in stores. Retailers can accumulate Reel Rental points for each video ordered that can be redeemed for various Warner Bros. Sport Gear.
The titles also will be supported by a national print advertising campaign, cross trailering and pay-per-view windows ranging from 45 to 90 days. Merchandising kits and multititle standees will be available, as well.
'Seinfeld' Actors In Two Movies
LOS ANGELES -- New Line Home Video here will release two movies in November starring actors from the "Seinfeld" television program.
"Trial and Error," starring Michael Roberts along with Jeff Daniels, will street Nov. 18, with an Oct. 28 prebook date. The movie made $15 million at the box office. "Love! Valour! Compassion!," starring Jason Alexander, will street on Nov. 19, also prebooking Oct. 28. Both will have 45-day pay-per-view windows.
Top 10 Supermarket Video Rental Titles
Title (Weeks Out) Studio Retail Last Week
1Liar Liar (2) Universal $22.98 1
2Volcano (2) Fox $103.9 2
3The Saint (3) Paramount $103.91 3
4The Devil's Own (8) Columbia $105.51 6
5Dante's Peak (7) Universal $103.91 5
6Father's Day (4) Warner $103.91 *
7Murder at 1600 (9) Warner $103.91 8
8Sleeping Beauty (3) Disney $26.99 10
9McHale's Navy (4) Universal $103.91 9
10 Jungle 2 Jungle (10) Disney $22.99 7
The chart on this page, tailored for the supermarket video market, is based on information taken from more than 1,000 supermarket rental locations serviced by Ingram Entertainment, La Vergne, Tenn.
