DISNEY PLANS `DALMATIANS' VIDEO BLITZ : TOP TITLES.Byline: Dave McNary Daily News Staff Writer Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney Co. announced Monday a massive promotional campaign for the home video release of its live-action version of ``101 Dalmatians,'' set to go on sale April 15 for $26.99. Disney, the longtime leader in the home-video business due to its focus on animated titles geared toward families with small children, said the campaign is the largest ever for a live-action video. Lynn Duncan, vice president of video with the Wherehouse chain, said she believes ``101 Dalmatians'' could sell about 16 million copies, which would make it among the top five live-action videos of all time and the top-selling release for the first half of 1997. Industry trackers estimate that 20th Century Fox's ``Independence Day'' is the top live-action video with 18 million copies, while the all-time leader is ``The Lion King'' with 30 million. Disney made the announcement on NBC's ``Today'' show and at the Toy Fair in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , along with promotional partners Nestle, Alamo Alamo Eighteenth-century mission in San Antonio, Texas, site of a historic siege of a small group of Texans by a Mexican army (1836) during the Texas war for independence from Mexico. Car Rental and Alpo dog food. It also will sell a ``101 Dalmatians'' CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). game and offer a $10 rebate on the purchase of the video with any Disney Interactive CD-ROM. ``When you see announcements like this, it indicates that Disney believes the video is going to be very big,'' Duncan said. The movie, released two months ago, became the biggest domestic grosser since 20th Century Fox's ``Independence Day'' with $132.7 million. It is still playing in 624 theaters. Additionally, the movie's merchandising involved 142 licensees with 17,000 different items. Disney predicted sales will top the estimated 10 million sales mark set two years ago by ``The Santa Clause.'' ``Our research has shown enormous purchase intent for this movie,'' said Dennis Rice Dennis Rice is a Manitoba activist and politician. He was elected leader of the Libertarian Party of Manitoba in the 1990s, and resigned the position in 2003. Rice works as a commercial strawberry salesman in rural Manitoba. , senior vice president of marketing for Buena Vista Home Video. ``With our extensive companywide synergistic and promotional partnerships, as well as the continued strength of licensed merchandise at retail, the `101 Dalmatians' video release will be a huge hit.'' Disney's release of its animated version of ``101 Dalmatians'' topped 15 million, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. industry estimates. Nestle's campaign, which offers a $5 rebate with purchase of specific products, will be designed to reach 50 million households and include national television advertising. The Alpo promotion will offer savings of up to $8 while the Alamo campaign will feature a $20 discount on a car rental with purchase of the video. The biggest rival to ``101 Dalmatians'' is likely to be Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) .' ``Space Jam,'' due out March 11, and Paramount's ``First Wives Club'' on March 18. Best-selling best·sell·er also best seller n. A product, such as a book, that is among those sold in the largest numbers. best home-video titles 1. The Lion King, 30 million 2. Snow White, 25 million 3. Aladdin, 24 million 4. Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast is a traditional fairy tale (type 425C -- search for a lost husband -- in the Aarne-Thompson classification). The first published version of the fairy tale was a meandering rendition by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in , 22 million 5. Cinderella, 21 million CAPTION(S): Photo, Box Photo: (Color) No caption (Dalmatians) Box: TOP TITLES (See text) |
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