INNOVATIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR SCI FI'S 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA' SERIES PREMIERE
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE NBC PROGRAMMING, TELEMUNDO PROMOTION, AOL PARTNERSHIP AND GRASSROOTS MARKETING EFFORTS
NEW YORK -- January 10, 2005 -- The January 14 (9 p.m. ET/PT) premiere of Battlestar Galactica, SCI FI's highly anticipated weekly one-hour original series, will be supported by a broadly innovative promotional campaign that includes an NBC programming event, Telemundo Network and Cable promotion, exclusive content on AOL and a grassroots marketing effort that uniquely engages devoted fans. A creative re-imagining of the television classic, Battlestar Galactica reunites SCI FI's original miniseries cast ? led by Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell - and picks up exactly where cable's most-watched miniseries of 2003 left off.
"As the standard bearer for high quality drama, special effects, action, and adventure in miniseries production, Battlestar Galactica has reinvented a television pop culture classic. The new Battlestar Galactica weekly series is the perfect complement to SCI FI's line-up of progressive science fiction and fantasy programming," states SCI FI General Manager, Dave Howe.
"The critical acclaim and ratings success of our 2003 miniseries suggests an extremely devoted fan base. The integrated marketing efforts surrounding the Battlestar Galactica series premiere reflects the show's remarkable popularity and engages its loyal following," comments Adam Stotsky, SVP, Marketing & Creative, SCI FI.
The January 14 Battlestar Galactica series premiere will be heralded by a special three-hour version of SCI FI's hit miniseries, which will air on NBC on Saturday, January 8th (8-11 p.m. ET/PT). The NBC programming event serves to enhance awareness and generate even greater excitement for the SCI FI series launch.
The series premiere will also receive a promotional push from Spanish-language sister networks Telemundo, and the youth-oriented mun2. Battlestar Galactica star Edward James Olmos has taped a series of interview segments for Telemundo shows including the network's flagship morning program, De Ma?anita, daytime entertainment series, Cotorreando, and daily news magazine show Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste. mun2 will also feature exclusive interview footage on programs Toma Uno and Fuzion. In addition, Spanish language on-air promos will be available for interstitial placements.
The promotional campaign is further distinguished by a unique initiative to engage Battlestar enthusiasts, which provides direct-to-consumer endorsement of the series. A special grassroots marketing effort enlisted Battlestar aficionados in the top SCI FI markets to join street teams, stationed at malls and other high traffic areas, to participate in a unique word of mouth fan-driven promotion. Show devotees visited SCIFI.COM (www.scifi.com/battlestar/updates/mall/) to sign up for a chance to serve as official ambassadors or Battlestar Preachers. Preachers, selected by SCIFI.COM for their series knowledge and fervor, are outfitted with official Battlestar gear and equipped with 500,000 special DVD sampler giveaways. The promotion blankets 240 movie theaters in the top 6 SCI FI markets.
A unique promotional partnership with AOL delivers exclusive Battlestar Galactica content to AOL subscribers. Weekly SCI FI on-air promos direct audiences to AOL where they may view a series of 2-4 minute vignettes featuring behind-the-scenes footage, in addition to episode commentary and interviews with executive producer and writer, Ronald Moore; executive producer, David Eick; Mary McDonnell and other cast and crewmembers. Airing over a five-week period, new vignettes debut on AOL immediately after each new episode of Battlestar and offer viewers the chance to go inside the production for deeper insight into the plot, characters, and the creative minds behind the series.
Additional Battlestar Galactica promotion includes media placement within popular morning, prime time and late night programs across NBC and NBC Universal Cable television properties. Media buys include spot TV and radio, print, out-of-home and online media outlets. Ongoing continuity radio promotion will continue well into the series flight.
Elements of the overall integrated marketing campaign include:
3-hour NBC programming event leading up to January 14 premiere on SCI FI
SCI FI on-air promotion
NBC and NBC Universal Cable properties cross promotion
Telemundo Network and Cable promotion
Spot television buys in the top 15 SCI FI markets, including placements specifically within local NFL playoffs
Spot cable and radio in top 15 SCI FI markets
Radio buys including Howard Stern and other national radio
Out of home buys in NY and LA
Strategic promotional partnership with AOL
Online promotion on www.IMDB.com, www.SCIFI.com, and other web sites
Strategic print buys in publications such as Entertainment Weekly and USA Today
Cable in the Classroom educational resources
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 84 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
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