Brian Glazen’s Post

This years ICSC convention in Las Vegas brought me no less than 100 questions about the survival of the movie theatre business. My answer is always the same. The strife on Exhibitors has been horrendous. There has not been any kind of sustainable film product to show in quality or quantity since the beginning of the pandemic and the ensuing Hollywood strikes last year. But never the less, I see the business coming back as film production is ramping up again. There have been many theatre closures (needed) and another 20% will be coming soon; but also needed because of the over-screened theatre market developed over the past robust years. Thus, the movie theatre industry will be smaller, higher quality locations and concepts (because the good ones are sustainable), and film production will come back to a level (albeit a new normal) to match the remaining screen coverage across the country. Rents have either been reset through bankruptcies or negotiations and will continue to get reset through normal lease expirations and extensions. Quality will be a must on both exhibition and production. But I'm a movie theatre real estate guy! Let's hear what a movie studio icon says that's been in the business for the last 40 + years (same as me). https://lnkd.in/ebkMkkHm

Our research brought one of the most powerful attention studies on moviegoers to date. Facial expression maps, over 500 data points, and a completely natural environment meant Screenvision could determine precisely how much attention was spent on-screen during the preshow. Among 18–34-year-olds, 26 seconds of a 30 second ad was viewed in theaters where just 9 seconds of attention would be given to CTV. It's simple, the most elusive demo in media often only puts their phones down at the movies, including during the preshow. To #AlwaysBuyCinema is to maximize attention on the spots you need people to see. Read more from MediaVillage.org about this industry leading work from SVM's research team here: https://lnkd.in/e9f3xhuF #cinema #attentionstudy #cinemaadvertising #moviemagic #genz #millenials #attention #advertising

Theatrical needs more movies and more competition. Why? Moviegoing begets moviegoing. When we have more movies in theaters we have higher attendance (shocking!). When we have more movies in theaters we continue the moviegoing habit. But "more movies" has to mean more movies that people want to see in ways they want to see them. This leads me to competition. Movies are not truly competing with one another for audiences on any given weekend or weekday. First, we don't have enough wide releases to really force any kind of competition. Second, our industry is so homogenized in the way distribution deals are set and the way success is defined, that individual films are not truly able to experiment. We have seen attendance shoot up for indie films and family films when there are price incentives like #NationalCinemaDay or MoviePass or exhibitor programs in place. So why is there no widespread adoption of variable pricing? Why does a movie cost the same on week 10 as it did on week one despite that title likely being offered by the studio at home at a deeply discounted price? Why is attendance not as relevant as box office especially for films that do not benefit from PLF pricing? This industry has more data than ever before and more ways to connect directly to audiences, but we are selling them mixed messages. Pay attention to the ads on your streaming channels. How often are you seeing ads for theatrical titles to watch in theaters vs theatrical titles now available in the home? If you were a filmmaker who made your movie with theatrical in mind, what would be your metrics for success? Are those currently in line with our industry's practices? We can do better. For our art and for our audiences. For our culture and our consumers. My team is working on one solution but I know that there are so many other amazing ideas out there that just need traction. Let's collaborate and shift our focus back to the part of our entertainment ecosystem that truly makes money and impact for creators. See you at the movies!

My guest column in Variety: "Major studios have too high a market share, giving them too much power over exhibition – 73% in 2023, though down from the peak. That lower share is due somewhat to the lower number of wide releases from the majors, forcing exhibitors to look to other sources – something they should have been doing in their own interests years ago, before they became utterly dependent on Hollywood to drive their own success. "The results in the domestic market are exorbitant film terms, limited flexibility on screen programming – distributors demand every showtime on booked screens whether or not another film might play better at certain times throughout the week, no flexibility on pricing due to regional per caps that set a de facto floor on what exhibitors can charge, and excessive minimum runs that exhaust potential audiences in smaller markets and obliterate profits by week three. With their market share and reduced supply, studios no longer truly compete with one another on any given weekend or overall, leading to homogenization of booking terms, pricing, marketing expectations and more." https://lnkd.in/gGnHfjzZ

The new VAB Report - Reeling Attention: 10 Acts of Attention Along the Moviegoer’s Journey has just been released! Are you interested in reaching highly engaged, desirable audiences in brand safe, premium video environments? Learn how cinema drives ad attentiveness and creates meaningful business results for cinema advertisers. Check it out ⬇ 🎞 #cinema #advertising #VAB

Strategy. Audience. Delivery. Results.

🎟️🎥 Alamo Drafthouse Cinema x Sony Pictures Entertainment 👉 #Sony’s Acquisition of #AlamoDrafthouse: The Imperative for Experiential Movie-Going The acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse by Sony marks a significant shift in the movie theater industry. To appreciate this move, we need to look at Alamo Drafthouse’s unique history and approach. Founded in 1997 by Tim and Karrie League in Austin, Texas, Alamo Drafthouse quickly gained a reputation for its unique combination of dining and cinema. Known for its strict no-talking policy and themed events, the theater chain became a haven for film enthusiasts seeking an immersive movie-going experience. Alamo Drafthouse’s emphasis on luxury seating, gourmet food, and high-quality audiovisuals set it apart, creating an experience that streaming services can’t replicate. This focus on experience has become increasingly crucial as theaters compete to attract audiences in a digital age. Sony’s acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse highlights the industry’s shift towards enhancing the cinema experience. By integrating Alamo’s innovative approach with Sony’s resources, we can expect more exclusive screenings and themed events, drawing more consumers back to theaters. In this new era, the key to success lies in making movie-going an unforgettable event, a strategy that Alamo Drafthouse has mastered. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Sony

The average medium or large movie theater auditorium seats between 200–230 people. In the US, the average number of seats per screen is around 150. These figures highlight the varying capacities across different movie theaters. Reflecting on the power of social media, it's astounding to see the impact a simple selfie can have. My best post of the year garnered close to 50,000 views, emphasizing the reach and engagement potential of online content. As we consider the value of such interactions, it prompts us to ponder the significance of our digital presence and the business connections we forge in the virtual realm. What intrinsic worth do these interactions hold for us personally and professionally? #SocialMedia #Engagement #DigitalPresence

🎬 The Hottest Ticket in Town for Brands This Summer? CINEMA! 🎬 #SummerCinemaSurge Lights, camera, action! 🌟 This summer, the real blockbuster is the opportunity for brands to captivate their audiences on the big screen. Grab your popcorn and let's explore why CINEMA is a must-have for your marketing strategy: ✨ We're serving up a sizzling lineup of hit movies that have been packing theaters all season long. From high-octane adventures to heartfelt dramas, we've got something for everyone – including your brand! 📊 The Numbers Speak for Themselves: - 47% of our audience is the coveted A18-34 crowd  - 60% are part of diverse and inclusive communities - Our moviegoers have 2X the spending power 💸💸💸 🚫 No More Ad-Skipping Woes! Our unskippable ads ensure your message takes center stage, captivating millions of engaged viewers every week. 🛡️ Brand Safety? We've got you covered! CINEMA provides a trusted, brand-safe environment for your campaigns to shine. So, let's embrace the #SummerCinemaSurge and make your brand the star of the show! 🎥✨ #CinemaAdvertising #NCM #BlockbusterSummer #AudienceEngagement #MarketingMagic #BrandSafe #UnskippableAds #AttentionMetrics #PremiumVideoBuying #PremiumVideoPlanning #VideoUpfronts

Step into the action with Real Impact – where every moment is electrifying. From the field to your screen, Real Impact is set to deliver an immersive sports experience like no other. Wondering what’s next? The suspense is real! Drop your guesses in the comments section below and let’s spark some excitement! We’re brewing up something special—stay tuned! #sportsbroadcasting #livesports #play #sportstech #dynamics #fanengagement #sportsentertainment #production #sportscontent #sportsmedia #broadcasting #sportsanalysis #explore #realimpact #productionperfection