Month: January 2010

Spartacus Marketing

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

Since up in Canada here we don’t get the new Spartacus until Monday (on TMN), I was looking to see if it was on iTunes … while waiting for the predicted iTunes update to install (why do folks tolerate these constant wholesale updates? If that were a Windows thing there’d be no end of complaints), I came across this … what’s potentially interesting is the Spartacus Workout app! (besides the show itself of course):

Starz is mixing digital and traditional marketing strategies to drive tune-ins to the Jan. 22 debut of scripted drama series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the premium network’s second scripted drama after Crash, but one it renewed for a second season before the first one begun.Starz is trying to reach young viewers through show-specific, gaming applications for Apple’s iPhone and iTouch devices, according to Marc DeBevoise senior vice president, digital media, business development and strategy for Starz Media.The mobile game can be accessed via iTunes and has a Wi-Fi connection feature that lets players amongst each other, he said.It also is distributing a four-part comic series based on the show. Each episode of the digital comic book series can be purchased at a suggested retail price of $1.99 on Amazon.com, iTunes, Sony’s Playstation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox videogame consoles.Starz has teamed with male-targeted Men’s Health magazine to create a digital workout around the series. The official Spartacus workout/exercise routine is available as a free iTunes app.More young people are using their iPhone and iPods for entertainment purposes, so DeBevoise believes the digital offerings will help build momentum.Otherwise, Starz has teamed with several cable operators to offer free on-demand previews of the series’ first and second episodes. Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, Insight Communications and Mediacom Communications will air episode 1 on Jan. 20 one and episode 2 on Jan. 27 on demand on Jan. 27, Nancy McGee, executive vice president of marketing, said.DirecTV also will offer a preview of the first two episodes on Jan 21 via its 101 channel.Apple’s iTunes and Netflix will offer Spartacus episodes day and date with their debuts on Starz, said the network.

via Starz Launches ‘Spartacus’ Assault | Multichannel News.

Clash of Titans in 3D decision coming soon | Reuters

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

Haven’t been keeping up with all the Clash of the Titans gossip of late … this incipit from Reuters is very interesting:

Warner Bros. will decide in the next 10 days whether to release Louis Leterrier’s remake of action fantasy “Clash of the Titans” in 3D.FilmThe studio has ordered a 3D test of the film — set for release on March 26 — and will screen the converted scenes next week before deciding whether to make the move. Studios across Hollywood are looking into possible 3D conversions in the aftermath of the big box office bonanza called “Avatar.”

More: Clash of Titans in 3D decision coming soon.

CFP: Classics Ireland

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

Seen on Classics (please send any responses to the folks mentioned in the quoted text, not to rogueclassicism!):

Classics Ireland is the journal of the Classical Association of Ireland whose members consist of those with a general interest in the Classical World including students, teachers and academics. It is published on an annual basis and contributions are welcome on all aspects of Classical Antiquity, especially if there is an Irish dimension, whether in the history of Classical scholarship or the reception of Classical values in Ireland. Contributions must be scholarly, but not technical and should appeal both to a wide readership and to the specialist. All Greek and Latin must be translated. Articles should not normally exceed 5,000 words and will be independently refereed before formal acceptance for publication. In addition, articles will be published on-line following the paper publication, at http://www.classicsireland.com/.

Expressions of interest and all manuscripts should be addressed to the editor:

Brian Sheridan,
Department of Ancient Classics,
National University of Ireland,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare,
IRELAND

brian.sheridan@ AT nuim.ie

CALLING MUSICAL CLASSICISTS

~ David Meadows ~ rogueclassicist ~ Leave a comment

Seen on Classics (please send any responses to the folks mentioned in the quoted text, not to rogueclassicism!):

The APA Division of Outreach and the APA Committee on Ancient and Modern Performance are creating a list of classicists with backgrounds in musical performance and the history of music.

We are especially eager to identify colleagues who would be willing to share their knowledge of both music and classical antiquity with individuals writing or performing works that are set in the ancient Greco-Roman world, draw on ancient Greek and Latin literary texts, or feature classical figures and themes.

If you would be willing to lend your expertise to this project, particularly by responding to queries from denizens of the musical world, please send a brief (200-300 word) biography describing your "credentials" and interests in both classics and music to Judith P. Hallett, jeph AT umd.edu. The deadline for inclusion in the initial list is February 28, but it will be updated regularly.