How Streaming Services Are Luring In Big Names To Make Hollywood Movies
Streaming services have been the biggest thing to happen to the entertainment industry since cable television. This year, Netflix has 54 Emmy nominations, behind only HBO and FX. Amazon racked up 12 noms and Hulu broke into the scene with 2. And the potential for SVOD is UNLIMITED.
There are no prime time restrictions of hourly programming. And new releases can occur on a weekly - or even daily - basis, with viewing consumption based on how the viewer wants to watch. And seeing such success with series has led the streaming services to look even bigger - to feature length films with A-list casting and directors. In this blog, Hollywood Branded looks at the rise of feature films released by streaming services and product placement opportunities for your brand.
Netflix - The Ever-Innovating Streaming Giant
When Beasts Of No Nation was released last October, it became Netflix's first feature film. And while the streaming service doesn't release viewership numbers or stats, it is safe to say the film was a success. It was received incredible well and sparked awards buzz with Golden Globe nominations and a Screen Actors Guild award for Idris Elba.
Since then, Netflix has gone on to release more critically-acclaimed films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny and The Fundamentals Of Caring starring Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez.
Netflix has some new big releases coming up as well. Films from both members of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie dynamic duo are set to be released; Pitt's War Machine will be a comedy war film based on a novel, and Jolie will helm First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers.
More and more films are being produced by the digital streaming giant... which means more and more product placement opportunities for your brand.
Amazon - Looking To The Masses
Amazon hasn't wasted any time jumping into the original movie game... and they've gotten some serious big name actors involved. Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon starred in Elvis & Nixon, a film released both theatrically and digitally to positive reviews. Kate Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny starred in Love & Friendship based on a Jane Austen comedy. In fact, they even made the controversial Spike Lee film Chi-Raq which garnered tons of media attention.
Yet another thing that Amazon does that is interesting is their "Amazon Studios" project. Anyone from accomplished screenwriters to film students can submit scripts, collaborate on film ideas, and review other submissions. Amazon knows that by looking to its audience, they have a shot at finding a really great idea.
Amazon's more grassroots approach inevitably leaves tons of product placement opportunities for your brand in everything from indie flicks to big budget originals. In fact, if you go to https://studios.amazon.com/movies, you can check out their slate of original movies in the works right now.
Hulu - Making Their Way In
Hulu has expressed interest in becoming involved with original series. So far, they haven't announced any original films, however they teamed up with Lionsgate to purchase the rights to Thomas Middleditch's dark Sundance comedy Joshy.
While Hulu may not have any originals in production, if past trends stay true, they most certainly will in the near future. Brands should keep an eye out for Hulu to make movies soon and the inevitable product placement opportunities that will come with it.
The Rise Of Original Movies From SVOD Services Is Great News For Brands
Are you interested in integrating product placement into your entertainment marketing mix, but simply don’t know where to start? There is so much more to product placement than you may think, and it is important to be educated about the key tactics to best fit your brand. Download our Product Placement 101 Infographic today to start learning more!
And check out our list of upcoming TV product placement opportunities here.
