AWN Headline News

MR Kinowelt Merchandising has nabbed the German-language merchandising rights to the highly anticipated fantasy trilogy THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The financial stats on the deal with New Line Cinema were not released. MR Kinowelt is made up of a joint venture between German indie distributor Kinowelt and MR Merchandising & Retail. The deal marks the first RINGS merchandising deal outside the States. The first film in the trilogy is scheduled to arrive in movie houses December 2001. Kinowelt is handling the release of all three pictures in Germany.

* October 2000. World Wide Web.

Entry Deadline: September 30, 2000.

Diecks Group created the 15-second teaser for the Showtime television series, SOUL FOOD, based off the 1997 feature film by the same name. The challenge for creative director Brian Diecks and art director Michael Waldron was to form a smooth and effective teaser from stills because the series had not yet begun production.

Humongous Entertainment, a division of Infogrames, Inc., has named Andy Hieke as general manager and senior vice president. Hieke will oversee all aspects of the company's operations, which include maintaining their current franchises, such as PUTT-PUTT, FREDDI FISH, PAJAMA SAM and SPY FOX as well as introducing new products onto new platforms and into new markets. Just prior to joining Humongous, Hieke served as the senior vice president of product development for Nintendo Software Technology Corporation.

Tape House Toons, a New York-based full-service animation studio, has appointed award-winning storyboard artist and illustrator Richard Codor as design director. Codor will head and art direct for the growing animation department on all projects, as well as continue storyboarding duties. Codor started his work with Tape House when he supervised the layout work for a series of short animated inserts for THE REAL LIZZIE MCGUIRE, a Disney Channel television pilot.

Executive producers Michael Miller and Rick Wagonheim have joined Rhinoceros Visual Effects and Design, New York, as part of the partnership and management team. The duo will be responsible for expanding and redirecting the fledgling digital studio owned by Multi-Video Group, Ltd. Previously, Miller and Wagonheim worked at R/Greenberg Associates, where they produced many award-winning commercials from 1996-2000. Wagonheim said, "Rhinoceros had done work on one of our R/GA spots and we started talking to (CEO, Multi-Video Group, Ltd.) David Binstock.

Sega of America has appointed Joseph Culley as vice president of marketing. Culley will help steer marketing, advertising and promotional campaigns for Sega Dreamcast and SegaNet. A brand-building veteran with most recently Levi Strauss & Co, Culley has 14 years experience in consumer marketing, business development and brand positioning. As vice president of marketing, Culley will oversee Sega's brand strategy and marketing programs, including positioning, advertising, corporate identity and channel marketing.

Pulse Entertainment announced the appointment of three key industry executives to its senior staff. Sally Driver was named senior vice president of marketing; Abe Mammen, vice president of engineering; and Brian Becker, vice president of brand development and research. Driver will lead the development and execution of all aspects of Pulse's marketing strategy, including brand development, marketing communications and corporate communications.

On July 20, 2000, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences released its primetime Emmy nominations with FAMILY GUY receiving two nods, more than any other animated series. Edgy humor has long hampered GUY. Yet, the Academy looked past all the turmoil and gave the series nominations for outstanding animated program for one hour or less for the "Road to Rhode Island" episode and an outstanding music and lyrics nomination for the song "We Only Live To Kiss Your Ass" from composer Ron Jones and lyricist Chris Sheridan.

Composer and sound designer Andy Bloch tuned in the newest KeyCorp commercial for JSM. The 30-second spot, "Airplane," features special effects by Digital Domain and highlights KeyCorps retirement planning services. The airy tune follows the flight of a paper airplane on its journey from a New York office building to a sunny beach, where a man unfolds the plane and reads the message, "Im on my way!" Andy Bloch said of the project, "The picture demanded a lyrical approach, a feeling of lightness since we are following the flight of a paper airplane.

Alex Zamm has been brought on to help William Robertson rewrite the direct-to-video sequel to Disneys INSPECTOR GADGET. Most likely Zamm will helm the $10 million redux with Disney-based Fountain Prods. Charles Hirschhorn and Peter Green developing the project. Disney senior VP Gregg Hoffman is overseeing the film for the studio. Casting has not begun, but with such a slim budget the likeliness that the stars of the original like Matthew Broderick will not return.

Walt Disney will be releasing a sing along version of Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning classic MARY POPPINS. At Disneys El Capitan in Hollywood, a restored 35mm Dolby Stereo print of the classic 1964 film will feature on-screen lyrics of all the songs so that audiences can join in. Like a family-friendly ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW screening, moviegoers are encouraged to dress as their favorite character from the film. Prizes for best costume will be awarded at each show.