Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Cars Breakdown Part 1 of (many)
Let's breakdown the inside jokes in this masterpiece, one at a time. Upcoming articles will showcase the cars and their backgrounds, as well as side by side comparisons to their real life counterparts/inspirations, but today we're going to start small.
Keep in mind, I have no sympathy for you if you haven't seen the flick yet. There will be spoilers for sure, so go buy it now and watch it. I'll wait . . . . . . . . . . . Pretty good, eh? Some crazy good talent was used on this film.
Yet, I digress. So we find Lightning McQueen on his way to California for the big race around the 17:44 mark in the film. Pause it. If you timed it right you should be looking at this:
If you are a Pixar fan and you have seen with their animated shorts, this will look familiar.
These are the same pompous birds from the Academy Award winning short, For the Birds, part of which you can watch here.
Pixar does this a LOT, and we're going to track down as many as we can. They drop references to their past work in their current work, and it makes the films that much more fun to watch, over and over again.
Stay tuned. I'll be back with more detailed illustrations of the secrets of Pixar's Cars soon.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Nielsen's Top 20 Most-Watched Shows
(AP) – Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Nov. 6-12. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.
1. (2) "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 22.27 million viewers.
2. (4) "Dancing with the Stars," ABC, 21.98 million viewers.
3. (3) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 20.83 million viewers.
4. (5) "Dancing with the Stars Results," ABC, 20.69 million viewers.
5. (1) "Grey's Anatomy," ABC, 20.65 million viewers.
6. (7) "NBC Sunday Night Football: Chicago vs. N.Y. Giants," NBC, 19.39 million viewers.
7. (X) "Dancing with the Stars Recap," ABC, 18.16 million viewers.
8. (8) "Criminal Minds," CBS, 17.57 million viewers.
9. (10) "Lost," ABC, 17.15 million viewers.
10. (6) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 16.8 million viewers.
11. (8) "CSI: NY," CBS, 16.78 million viewers.
12. (13) "60 Minutes," CBS, 16.23 million viewers.
13. (X) "House," (Election Night special), Fox, 16.11 million viewers.
14. (X) "CMA Awards," ABC, 15.96 million viewers.
15. (X) "NCIS" (Election Night Special), CBS, 15.44 million viewers.
16. (12) "Without a Trace," CBS, 15.22 million viewers.
17. (25) "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," ABC, 15.10 million viewers.
18. (17) "Cold Case," CBS, 14.77 million viewers.
19. (15) "Deal or No Deal" (Monday), NBC, 14.67 million viewers.
20. (21) "E.R.," NBC, 14.56 million viewers.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
And the warnings will continue...
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WESH) – A man was airlifted to a local hospital after he fell off a tram in a Walt Disney World parking lot on Monday morning. Officials said the tram was approaching the ticketing area of the Magic Kingdom when the 49-year-old man fell. A stroller fell off the tram, and the man was attempting to retrieve the stroller when he jumped off the tram and fell. He hit his head on the pavement. The Reedy Creek Fire Department got a call about the incident at about 9:30 a.m. Rescuers said they found the man on the ground. They treated him before he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. They said that step was taken as a precaution. The man was conscious and alert when rescue personnel treated him. At last check, the man was in stable condition, Disney officials said.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Too Many Spoonfuls of Sugar?
Thomas Schumacher, producer of Disney Theatrical, isn't concerned. "You can make a stronger case that these shows hold each other up," he says. "If they can't get into 'Lion King' or 'Mary Poppins,' then we can offer them 'Tarzan,' " Schrader says. "That could help 'Tarzan.' It definitely helped 'Aida.' " That Disney tuner logged a four-year-plus Broadway run that ended in 2004; it did respectable biz but was never a breakout success. "Beauty and the Beast," which has been running since 1994, could also benefit. But that show recently has been surpassing expectations anyway, thanks in part to the replacement casting of Donny Osmond. In any event, Schumacher thinks it's better to be competing with yourself than another producer. "If we're not in that theater, someone else would be," he says.
As for the B.O. prospects for "Poppins" in New York, the producers can look to the reception in London for a hint of things to come. The show earned favorable reviews and was a strong seller, but has slowed a bit since it opened in December 2004. "Poppins" seems a quintessentially British property, and thus likely to do better in London than in Gotham. But the producers contend that "Poppins" isn't as British as it seems. The character originated in a series of books, the first of which was published in 1934, by P.L. Travers, an Australian author living in England. Most people, however, got their first taste of Mary and the Banks family through the pic, which starred Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and featured Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman's hummable tunes. The movie is so iconic that Mackintosh, who had the rights to the books while Disney retained rights to the film, wouldn't do a stage incarnation without the movie material. "They're inextricably linked," Mackintosh says. "I think the only way the public wants a new 'Poppins' is to pull the best of both the movie and the books." The stage version of "Poppins" has a darker tone than the pic, with scribe Julian Fellowes working in material from the books as well as from a screenplay Travers wrote for an unproduced movie sequel, with new plotlines including the return of a diabolical nanny who raised Mr. Banks. Many speculators assumed that a creepy number called "Temper Temper" – in which the children's toys come to life to put the kids on trial for losing their temper – would get cut in the trans-Atlantic move. It didn't, and doesn't look likely to go. The major changes to the Rialto show are the reconceived staging of the songs "Jolly Holiday" and "Anything Can Happen" (one of the new tunes from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe that supplement the original Sherman brothers songs). Officially, the show is recommended for children 6 and older. Whether the decision to keep "Temper Temper" will earn the show a rep as being too scary for very young auds remains to be seen, although Scott Mallilieu, prexy of Group Sales Box Office (where "Poppins" is a formidable seller), isn't worried. "There are scary moments that might frighten a child in most family shows, and in all Disney shows," he says. "I don't really think it's going to affect anyone."
Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Disney Squeezes Rivals
· Rental-car companies that cater to budget-conscious leisure travelers report downsizing their fleets and staffs to stay out of the red. They say the service gives Disney and its bus operator, Mears Transportation Group, a monopoly on lucrative trips to the resort.
· Feeling even more pressure are rental-car companies at the airport. Only one – Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc., which operates as Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental – showed a revenue increase for the summer months of May, June and July compared with the same period last year.The other four experienced flat or decreased revenues despite a 3.6 percent increase in incoming passengers for the three-month period.
· In addition, Beeline Ground Transportation, the bus and shuttle-van company that competes with Mears, is also suffering. Beeline has laid off 50 employees since Magical Express started 16 months ago and is now operating with a skeleton crew, owner Dr. Owen Fraser said. "We're not getting any walk-up business at the airport," Fraser said. "Magical Express is taking away all of that business. We're doing maybe 100 passengers or 200 passengers a day. Very, very little."
In a way, that business should go away. why shouldn't Disney get to pick up their own guests. The Beeline (Beachline 528 now) isn't complaining about the times I pick up my family at the airport. If Disney is serious about their claim to treat all guests as "cherished friends", picking them up at the airport is the least they can do.
Disney Senior Vice President Jerry Montgomery said the shuttle is a boon to the region and that there are no plans to begin charging passengers directly for the service. "After only a year of operation, Disney's Magical Express has set new travel-industry service standards, created more than 600 new jobs in Central Florida, reduced crowding and wait times throughout Orlando International Airport, and cut down on area roadway congestion," he said in a statement. "Overall, we've received very positive feedback about Disney's Magical Express." The financial data also for the first time shed light on just how many people who fly into Orlando visit Disney. Because Disney does not publicly release attendance figures, the passenger numbers for Magical Express offer a rare glimpse into the ebb and flow of crowds at the resort. According to the data, it's not uncommon for Disney to transport more than 7,000 people in a single day from the airport to its resort. The number reached a high at 10,439 people Oct. 1, 2005.
Disney's Not a Small World, After All
• For example, at one end of the street are bronze statues of Roy Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse and at the other end of Walt Disney standing with Mickey Mouse.
• Also, there is a second-floor sign indicating the location of Walt's old office above his favorite food source: The ice cream stand.
• Some of the company names you see in the windows are the front corporations used to buy up ranch land at $80 an acre. The day after Disney announced the theme park location, land in the area began selling at $80,000 an acre. This forced me to contemplate the sorrow of those poor farmers who sold to Disney without knowing it. I also thought about the joy of their former neighbors.
• Did you know the flags around the park resemble American flags? These flags stay up during all kinds of weather and at night. Disney has changed the flags in subtle ways to keep from desecrating our nation's symbol. Heartwarming, in a public relations kind of way.
Interesting...
About this time, a few costumed characters walked by. They can't talk to visitors, but I devised a way to see whether they were cranky. I walked up and asked, "Where does your costume chafe the most right now?" I could almost always provoke a groan. It was a fun day learning Disney secrets and seeing its fa-mous underground. I still would like to work for Disney and learn more. Does anyone know the name of a good tattoo remover?
'Pirates of Caribbean' a Zionist Plot
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Food and Wine Time
See the World, One Disney Park at a Time
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
This one time, at CEO compensation camp...
EX-10.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-10.1
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
July 20, 2006
Matthew A. Ouimet PO Box 3232 Anaheim, California 92803
Dear Matt,
I am delighted to confirm our invitation for you to join Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. We recognize that a successful company is the reflection of a talented workforce and high performing organization and we look forward to your leadership at Starwood. The Board and I have great confidence that you are more than up to the challenge of leading the Starwood Hotel Group despite the size and complexity of the task at hand. Personally, I look forward to a strong and enjoyable business partnership. I firmly believe that you have the professional experience, leadership and values to help realize the enormous potential inherent in Starwood’s brands, people and competitive position.
Please review the attached documents specifically outlining our offer of employment to and let me know if you have any questions concerning the terms. We are all enormously enthusiastic about you joining the company’s senior leadership team.
Matt, I hope you are as excited as we all are about joining Starwood. Please acknowledge your acceptance of this offer by signing and returning all of the attached documents to me.
Sincerely,
Steven J. Heyer
1
REVISED
July 20, 2006
Matthew A. Ouimet PO Box 3232 Anaheim, California 92803
Dear Matt,
The specifics of your offer of employment with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (“Starwood” or the “Company”) are outlined below:
Start Date: Subject to the terms of this letter, your employment with Starwood will begin on or about August 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”)
Position: Your position will be President, Hotel Group, based in White Plains, NY, and you shall perform such duties and services as are assigned to you by the Company as requested. You acknowledge that your prospective employment will be subject to all policies and practices of the Company as may currently exist or as may be curtailed, modified or implemented from time to time. Further, you shall devote your full time and attention to the affairs of the Company and to your duties as President, Hotel Group. You will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and be a core member of the senior leadership team of the Company which also includes the President, Global Development, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel. Our regional division presidents (North America, EMEA, AP and LAD) will report directly to you.
Base Salary: Your base salary will be $700,000 annually, paid in semi-monthly intervals of $29,166.66
$29, 166.66 every 2 weeks. He'll have my annual salary by Halloween.
and subject to applicable withholdings for FICA, state and federal taxes. The Starwood salary program provides performance-based salary reviews for future salary progression.
Annual Incentive (Bonus): You will be eligible to participate in the Starwood Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) or, at the election of the board’s compensation committee, the Annual Incentive Plan for Certain Executives (AIPCE). In either case, your target incentive is 100% of base salary. Your actual incentive payout will be based upon company performance, the performance of our owned and managed hotels worldwide, and your achieving specified performance criteria to be established and approved by the Chief Executive Officer. In the event that changes are made to any of the incentive plans, the changes will apply to you as they do other employees of the Company. Please note that the AIP and AIPCE provides that a portion of your annual bonus will be deferred and payable in Starwood stock or stock units. The current deferral portion of the bonus is 25% and is payable in Starwood stock having a value on the date of deferral equal to 133% of the amount deferred.
Starwood's going to pay 25% of his bonus in stock worth 33% more than everyone else's shares.
Payment of your 2006 bonus will be delivered according to the regular annual incentive plan payout schedule and your bonus will assume you were employed with Starwood for the full year. An annual bonus shall not be deemed earned by you until the Company has determined your entitlement to such bonus and only if you are employed by the Company at the time such bonus is payable in accordance with the AIP, AIPCE and Company practices. Subject to the provisions described under “Severance” below, the Company does not pay pro-rata bonuses upon departure.
Long Term Incentive: You will be eligible to participate in the Starwood Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (“LTIP”). This plan currently provides for the award of stock options and/or restricted shares at the Company’s discretion to high performing executives. For calendar year 2006, on or about the starting date of your employment with Starwood, you will receive equity awards having a value of $2,500,000
Matt may be eligible to play in the high performing executive bonus plan. In fact, he'll get $2.5 million just for showing up on his first day. That is a seriously high performance arrival. I'm expecting parachuting Elvis's here.
(which amount will be pro rated based on the remaining number of months in the calendar year), payable 50% in restricted stock and 50% in options, with the value of options determined in accordance with the Black Scholes model (with variables determined by the Company). Options will be exercisable at Fair Market Value (as defined in the LTIP) on the date of grant For calendar year 2007, on or about the same time as annual option and restricted stock grants are made to other senior executives (currently February of each year), you will receive equity awards having a value of $2,500,000
Oh yeah, same for next year. Again, that is a seriously high performance signature he has, if he gets all this just for joining up.
, payable in the same proportions of restricted stock and options as other senior executives of the Company with the value of options determined by the method then used by the Company for determining grants to such other senior executives. The award agreements governing the terms of your equity grants will be on the same terms and conditions as other senior executives of the Company. For subsequent years, the value of awards, if any, will be based upon your performance and the metrics used for other senior executives of the Company.
D'oh! 2 years from now, he'll have to earn his multi-million dollar bonuses, just like everyone else.
Sign-on Equity: Effective on or about the starting date of your employment with Starwood, pursuant to the terms of the LTIP you will be granted that number of shares of restricted stock having a value equal to $705,000
Is this the bonus we saw above or a new 100% salary increase sign-on bonus?
, based on the Fair Market Value (as defined in the LTIP) on the date of grant. The restricted shares will vest in accordance with the LTIP and will otherwise be governed by the provisions of the LTIP, provided that such shares will vest if your employment is terminated by the Company for any reason or if you terminate your employment for “good reason” (as defined below). For purposes of this paragraph only, “good reason” shall also include a material reduction below 50% of the percentage of value of equity awards granted to you under the LTIP in future years that consists of restricted stock.
If he quits, they're taking 1/2 the value of his options. Or something like that.
Further details will be provided in the award notification to be delivered to you following the start of your employment.
Benefits: Starwood offers “StarShare”, a comprehensive array of employee benefit programs, to provide peace of mind on various personal concerns. New employees are eligible for the StarShare health and welfare benefit programs and the 401(k) plan on the first day of the month following 90 days of employment. You and your eligible dependents will be covered by these benefits as per your coverage elections.
Information on these plans and other benefit programs such as the HOT Rates (the employee discount room rates program), short-term disability, long-term disability, employee life insurance, and vacation programs will be provided to you after you begin your employment with us.
In the event that changes are made to any of the benefit plans, the changes will apply to you as they do other employees of the Company.
COBRA Payments: We realize that there may be a transitional benefits cost to you because of the waiting period before you become eligible for the Starwood health plans. Therefore, during your benefits waiting period, Starwood agrees to reimburse you for any COBRA payments until the date you become eligible for Starwood health benefits.
Starwood will cover all his insurance needs while he's in between jobs. This may be standard stuff, but hey, why should the millionaires need to spend any of their own money. That's not spendin' money, that's for keepin'!
Starwood will reimburse you the difference between the applicable normal contribution rate with Starwood and your COBRA amount.
Other Benefits: While your office will be in White Plains, we realize that you currently reside in California. We understand that you plan to commute from California to White Plains until some time after the conclusion of the 2006/2007 school year. You agree to relocate to the New York/Connecticut area no later than December 31, 2007. In order to make it as convenient and un-burdensome as possible to perform your duties in White Plains and other parts of the world as your job requires until your relocation to the New York/Connecticut area, the Company will (i) reimburse up to $1,500,000 of your air travel expenses during the first twelve months of your employment which may include commercial air or chartered flights (regular commercial flights on Company business (including spousal or family travel required as part of Company business) will not be counted in determining the $1,500,000 cap) and (ii) provide you with suitable temporary housing in the New York/Connecticut area. You agree that you will use good faith efforts in planning your travel to minimize such air travel expenses consistent with your duties and responsibilities as President Hotel Group.
This is the "Don't be a prick and fly all your friends to Vegas" clause.
Arrangements for non-commercial flights will be done in coordination with a company specializing in private aircraft services (such as Citation Shares or Net Jets) and will be done in a way to permit as much flexibility as is reasonably possible. The Company will indemnify you for any income tax liability for the air travel expense reimbursement, temporary housing and other relocation benefits provided pursuant to this letter and the Relocation Program discussed below.
The Company will reimburse you for up to $10,000 for review of your employment contract with us.
They'll pay for a lawyer to look over the contract. So, on what exactly do millionaires spend their money?
Relocation: Starwood has selected Cendant Mobility Services to administer our Relocation Program. Starwood will pay the reasonable, out-of-pocket costs of relocating your family and household furnishings to New York/Connecticut and to a new location in California in accordance with the provisions of Starwood’s Relocation Program. This Program includes reimbursement of a set number of personal, spousal and family trips for house hunting purposes (additional trips may be funded in your discretion by your $1,500,000 air travel allowance). To be eligible for reimbursement of certain benefits, you are required to utilize the services of an agent in the Cendant Mobility Preferred Network on both departure and destination. You will be eligible to participate in this program until December 31, 2007.
A home buy-out option will be afforded you as you make this transition. Cendant will arrange for two appraisals of your home to be conducted as soon as practicable after your acceptance of our offer. If those appraisals are more than 5% apart, a third appraisal will be ordered. The appraisals will then be averaged and you will be offered (the “Initial Offer”) that amount for your home. Once the offer is made, you will have 60 days to (i) accept it or (ii) defer the sale of your home until any time prior to September 30, 2007 (the “Deferral Period”). At the conclusion of the Deferral Period, Cendant will again arrange for the appraisal of your home and 60 day purchase offer in accordance with the foregoing provisions. We will guarantee the purchase price of your home. You will not be required to market your home in advance of initiating this buyout option. In addition if the purchase price offered to you at the conclusion of the Deferral Period is less than the Initial Offer, the Company will reimburse you for up to $100,000 of such deficiency.
Starwood will buy his house at fair market value, with no need to put it on the market. They'll even throw in $100,000 if the value goes down over the year you wait to sell it.
To initiate the moving process, please contact the White Plains Human Resources office. You will be assigned to a Client Services Consultant at Cendant Mobility who will provide you with relocation assistance and the names of the Preferred Network agents. In an effort to fully utilize our relocation benefit and avoid additional tax liability, we ask that you do not begin your relocation process before being contacted by your assigned Cendant Client Services Consultant. Please do not sign a Listing Agreement or begin searching for a new home until you have spoken with your Consultant. For questions regarding policy benefits or to register a real estate agent with Cendant, please call 1-800-423-8624.
In the event that you accept this offer of employment and relocation expenses are paid to you or on your behalf, you agree that if you voluntarily terminate your employment within one year after you relocate, you will repay all such relocation expenses, reduced by 1/12 for each full calendar month actually worked.
If he quits, he's got to pay back the relocation money. Hey, Starwood doesn't move people around for free.
In addition, eligibility for reimbursement of any and all relocation expenses will cease on the last day of employment and any relocation expenses incurred after that date will not be reimbursed by Starwood and will be your responsibility.
Exclusive Dispute Resolution Procedure: Any and all disputes relating to this offer letter, your employment with Starwood or the termination of that employment will be resolved solely and exclusively through binding arbitration pursuant to the employment rules of the American Arbitration Association. Accordingly, you acknowledge and agree that this offer of employment and the benefits provided herein are contingent upon your execution of the Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate provided to you herewith (Attachment A) and incorporated herein by reference.
Employment Term: Unless sooner terminated or extended pursuant to other provisions hereof, the term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on the March 1 2010; provided that the term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically for an additional year as of the end of the initial term and each additional one year term, unless no later than six months prior to any such renewal date either the Company, or Executive gives written notice to the other that the term of this Agreement shall not be so extended.
Severance: For the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending with the two year anniversary of the Effective Date, in the event you are teminated without cause or resign for good reason, you will be entitled to salary, target bonus and benefit coverage for the balance of the initial term of employment less seven (7) months. After the initial two year period you will revert to the severance benefits described below. In no circumstance would your severance be less than the severance described below if you are terminated without cause or resign for good reason.
In the event that Starwood terminates your employment for any reason other than “cause” or you resign for “good reason”, Starwood will pay to you (i) 12 months of your then current base salary, (ii) your target bonus for the year of termination and (iii) 50% of your target bonus for the year of termination pro rated based on the portion of the year elapsed on the date of termination, all in a lump sum less all applicable withholdings and will provide benefit coverage for a one year period from the date of termination (the “Termination Payments”). You will not be entitled to any Termination Payments if you resign your employment with the Company without good reason. As a condition for, and prior to, your entitlement to and receipt of any Termination Payments, you must enter into a written waiver and release of any and all claims against Starwood arising out of or relating to your employment with Starwood, in such form that Starwood may reasonably require. In the event you allege a breach of “good reason” the company will have 30 days to cure the alleged breach.
The Golden Parachute.
For purposes of this letter, “cause,” shall mean (i) any material breach by you of any of the duties, responsibilities or obligations of your employment, or any of the written policies of Starwood; (ii) any willful failure or refusal by you to properly perform (as determined by Starwood in its reasonable discretion and judgment) the duties, responsibilities or obligations of your employment, or to properly perform or follow (as determined by Starwood in its reasonable discretion and judgment) any lawful order or direction by Starwood; (iii) any acts or omissions by you that constitute (as determined by Starwood in its reasonable discretion and judgment) fraud, dishonesty, breach of your duty of loyalty, gross negligence, civil or criminal illegality, or any other material misconduct in your employment or which could tend to bring Starwood into disrepute, could create civil or criminal liability for Starwood or could adversely affect Starwood’s business or interests. “Good reason” shall mean a significant reduction in your responsibilities or authority as President Hotel Group, a change in your reporting relationship to a person who is not the senior most executive officer of the Company or a reduction in base compensation.
Other Conditions and Obligations: You acknowledge that you are not subject to any currently effective employment contract, or any other contractual or other binding obligations pursuant to which your employment or employment activities with or on behalf of the Company may be subject to any restrictions. Restrictions include limitation, any agreements or other obligations or documents relating to non-competition, confidentiality, trade secrets, proprietary information or works for hire.
As a further condition of this offer and your right to receive any of the benefits detailed herein, you agree to execute and be bound by the Non-compete, Non-solicitation, Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement attached hereto (Attachment B) and incorporated herein by reference.
Integrated Agreement: This offer letter represents the sole and complete understanding between you and the Company relating to your employment and there are no other written or oral agreements, understandings or representations relating to this offer of employment. The terms of your employment, including the at-will nature of the employment, may be amended only through a written instrument signed by you and Starwood’s Chief Administrative Officer.
You should not resign from your current employment until you have received notification from the Company of the completion of all pre-employment investigation, testing and verification.
By signing and returning this letter, you confirm that this letter accurately sets forth the current understanding between you and Starwood and that you accept and agree to the terms as outlined.
Very truly yours,
Kenneth S. Siegel Chief Administrative Officer
cc:
Personnel File
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
Matthew A. Ouimet
Date
Monday, July 17, 2006
'Pirates' Becomes Year’s Top-Grossing Film
52,000 Participate in Volvo Treasure Hunt
Thursday, July 13, 2006
La Nouba By Cirque Du Soleil Celebrates Its 5 Millionth Guest at Walt Disney World Resort Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006
First, from July 20 to Sept. 30, Florida residents can enjoy the daring acts, live music and dazzling choreography of La Nouba for 20 percent off the regular price on select seats.
Second, to celebrate its 5-million-guest milestone, the cast and crew of La Nouba will select one of the Florida residents attending the 6 p.m. performance on Thursday, Aug. 10, to be its honorary 5 millionth guest. This person will enjoy an amazing and one-of-a-kind experience, which includes a personal on-stage recognition by the cast, interaction with select La Nouba characters during the show, unique La Nouba memorabilia gifts, and an exclusive backstage meet-and-greet with the artists.
La Nouba continues to perform twice nightly at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the Cirque du Soleil theater, by calling 407/939-7600, or on http://www.cirquedusoleil.com . For more information on the 20 percent-off promotion, Florida residents can call 407/WDW-SEAT.
Fun Facts:
* La Nouba celebrated its 3500th performance on Saturday, May 13, 2006.
* There are 1730 audio cables running through the theatre. Placed end to end, they reach a total length of 865,000 feet or approximately 164 miles!
* When La Nouba first opened to the public, it did not feature the Cycles act, which is now an intricate part of the show.
* The average age of the cast of La Nouba is 31 1/2. Ages range from 10 to 50 years old.
* The wardrobe department handles over 300 costumes and headpieces every day. Most of the 67 artists performing in La Nouba wear three different costumes per show.
* Over 1200 lighting fixtures are used for each performance of La Nouba.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, please visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com .
SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
EarthCam joins POTC2 cast...kind of
NEW YORK, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthCam (http://www.earthcam.net/),
the leader in providing webcam software and technology, is pleased to announce that it provided the producers of Walt Disney Pictures' record breaking blockbuster summer movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (in theaters now), with technology to monitor and document the filming.
Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley reunite in this sequel to the 2003 blockbuster, distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski.
"EarthCam's webcam technology was an invaluable tool for me and my production team to remotely monitor the set," said Jerry Bruckheimer, Executive Producer of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. "In addition, the cameras created an HD time-lapse movie of the construction progress which could make for an exciting DVD extra."
"We are ecstatic to be working with Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Walt Disney Pictures," said Brian Cury, CEO and Founder of EarthCam, Inc. "Developing opportunities to record significant events for the entertainment industry that feature our unique technology is important to our company's growth." EarthCam's professional-duty MegapixelCam system provided high definition, megapixel color images with digital Pan/Tilt/Zoom, enabling examination of the smallest picture details. The HD images were archived around the clock, providing the producers with instant access to the highest quality digital photographs and time-lapse videos. To view a sample video, visit http://www.earthcam.net/pirates.
A second camera, an EarthCam ConstructionCam system, offered producers critical real-time monitoring of the set building process including construction of the largest open-water tank in the western hemisphere. The tank holds 60 million gallons of water, is 30ft deep and accommodates multiple ships. The professional duty camera includes a cooling system and wiper that kept it working through the Caribbean summer and a fierce hurricane.
EarthCam is the recognized leader in providing webcam technology and managed services to businesses since 1996. EarthCam provides complete infrastructure services to manage, host and maintain live streaming video camera systems for its corporate clients. Clients include Ford, Sprint, Toyota, Panasonic, Yahoo!, This Old House, Coca-Cola, Discover Card, Turner Construction, Bechtel Corp, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, numerous government agencies, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Visit EarthCam at: http://www.earthcam.net/.
SOURCE EarthCam
Related links:
Disneyland Resort Debuts First-Ever Video Podcast; Introduces Newest Episode of Its Popular Audio Podcast
Behind-the-Scenes Story of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Film Premiere
and Attraction Re-Opening
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the groundbreaking
precedent of its popular monthly audio podcasts the Disneyland Resort in
Southern California today introduces a new monthly series of video podcasts
that will bring all the magic and fun of "The Happiest Place on Earth" to
fans around the world via their desktop computer or video iPod. As one of
the first organizations to successfully venture into audio podcasting
(launching its first podcast in May 2005), Disneyland Resort now debuts the
first episode of its all-new Disneyland Resort Video Podcast series.
In the premiere video episode, available now on the Internet, viewers
will witness the creation of one of the most spectacular movie premieres in
Hollywood history and certainly one of the most elaborate events ever
staged at Disneyland -- the official world premiere of the new Disney film
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and the re-opening of the
classic attraction Pirates of the Caribbean, which has recently been
extensively enhanced. All the excitement of getting ready for this amazing
event is captured in this fun and entertaining mini-documentary.
Viewers will walk the red carpet with the film's stars Johnny Depp,
Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, plus meet many of the die-hard "Pirates"
fans who made the premiere an unforgettable event. It's a fast-paced look
(6 mins. 4 secs.) behind-the-magic at one of the most incredible nights in
Disneyland history.
Like the Official Disneyland Resort Audio Podcast, the new video
podcast is a free monthly Internet-based show accessible to a global
audience via a "Disneyland" search on the iTunes Podcast Directory.
Listeners can also subscribe to both podcast versions (audio and video)
through the iTunes Podcast Directory to receive new episodes automatically
each month.
The monthly video podcast takes viewers behind-the-scenes of what's new
and exciting at the resort plus showcases stories from the resort's 50-year
legacy of creating magical moments for guests from around the world.
Similar to its initial entree into audio podcasting, the Disneyland Resort
enters the emerging world of video podcasting in its infancy -- there are
currently only 150 free video podcasts available on the iTunes Podcast
Directory but interest in, and use of, the medium is rapidly increasing.
Additionally, the newest episode of the Official Disneyland Resort
Audio Podcast is now available online and takes listeners to all the
excitement of the world premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's
Chest," which had its official bow at Disneyland on June 24. Recorded live
on the world's longest red-carpet (2,000 feet from the beginning of Main
Street, U.S.A. to the riverfront in New Orleans Square) this podcast (38
mins. 50 secs.) features an array of segments, including:
* Interviews on the red carpet with "Pirates" film producer Jerry
Bruckheimer, actor Bill Nighy (Davy Jones in "Pirates of the Caribbean:
Dead Man's Chest") and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
* Actor Johnny Depp encounters the newly added Captain Jack Sparrow for
the first time inside the recently enhanced Pirates of the Caribbean
attraction.
* Walt Disney himself in a very rare clip from a 1965 press conference at
WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) where he describes his
vision for Pirates of the Caribbean, the use of models in the creation
of the attraction and his description of Imagineering.
* A new interview with Jason Surrell, Disney Imagineer and author of the
book "Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies."
* An encounter with one of the fans of the Official Disneyland Resort
Podcast.
* A meeting with two diehard "Pirates" fans who traveled all the way from
Atlanta, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama, to visit Disneyland and
participate in the premiere.
* Meet a Disneyland Cast Member who was so enthralled with the film
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" that she has
become a bona fide Pirate historian.
* A five-year old Pirate fan gives the newly enhanced attraction a
"Thumbs-Up!"
* Premiere recap and attraction overview from author and Disney historian
Tim O'Day.
Achieving a rating of four-and-a half stars out of a possible perfect
five on the iTunes Podcast Directory, the Official Disneyland Resort Audio
Podcast continues to be a hit with listeners. Each episode features an
engaging mix of original programming recorded live throughout the resort
including locations in Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure Park, the
Downtown Disney District and the resort's three landmark hotels -- Disney's
Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
-- creating a "you are there" audio experience.
More information about the continuing Disneyland 50th anniversary
celebration and vacations at the Disneyland Resort is available at
http://www.disneyland.com, by calling (877) 700-DISNEY, or by visiting local
travel agents.
SOURCE Disneyland Resort
Monday, July 10, 2006
You tell me...
Dad!
Son!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Pirates Breaks Record as Fandango's Top Day-Before-Opening Ticket-Seller
• Thursday, July 6 was Fandango's biggest ticket-sales day of the year, surpassing opening days for The Da Vinci Code, X-Men: The Last Stand and Superman Returns.
• For several hours on Thursday, Pirates was selling an average of seven tickets per second.
• On Thursday, Pirates broke Fandango's hourly sales record for the day before a film's opening.
• Hundreds of late night Thursday shows sold out in advance across the country.
• On Thursday, Pirates represented 91 percent of all ticket sales on Fandango.
"Pirates' advance ticket sales have been truly extraordinary," says Chuck Davis, Chairman of Fandango, "and we expect to break even more records on Friday. You don't usually see this kind of enthusiasm until the final installment of a franchise, so this bodes well for the series' future."
Pirate Ghost Ship Sighted at Disney's Castaway Cay
ABC absent from the top 20?
(AP) – Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for June 26-July 2. Top 20 listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.
1. (33) "America's Got Talent," NBC, 11.0 million viewers.
2. (6) "Without a Trace," CBS, 10.9 million viewers.
3. (8) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 10.8 million viewers.
4. (3) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 10.6 million viewers.
5. (11) "House," Fox, 9.9 million viewers.
6. (18) "CSI: NY," CBS, 9.2 million viewers.
7. (16) "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 8.9 million viewers.
8. (56) "So You Think You Can Dance," (Wednesday), Fox, 8.8 million viewers.
9. (56) "So You Think You Can Dance," (Thursday), Fox, 8.5 million viewers.
10. (50) "CBS Sunday Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," CBS, 8.4 million viewers.
11. (35) "Law & Order," NBC, 8.4 million viewers.
12. (15) "NCIS," CBS, 8.3 million viewers.
13. (X) "Fox NASCAR Nextel Cup," Fox, 8.2 million viewers.
14. (23) "60 Minutes," CBS, 8.2 million viewers.
15. (28) "Criminal Minds," CBS, 8.1 million viewers.
16. (97) "Hell's Kitchen," Fox, 8.0 million viewers.
17. (19) "Cold Case," CBS, 7.8 million viewers.
18. (33) "New Adventures of Old Christine," CBS, 7.6 million viewers.
19. (X) "48 Hours Mystery," CBS, 7.5 million viewers.
20. (44) "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," NBC, 7.2 million viewers.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Disney Changes "Game Plan" After the Rock's Injury
By Alan Fein
(AXcess News) Hollywood - Walt Disney Corp. (NYSE: DIS) was forced to change its script after Dwayne Johnson, better known to wrestling fans as "The Rock", injured his leg while practicing football for Disney's new family film, "The Game Plan".
Dwayne Johnson, seen here with his trade mark cocked right eyebrow, says to tell fans "nothing can stop The Rock."
While at a football practice Monday for his new Disney film, "The Game Plan", The Rock injured his Achilles tendon. Johnson was practicing for his upcoming role as a professional quarterback in the movie, which was previously known as "Daddy's Girl."
Johnson is to undergo surgery Friday in Miami to repair the torn tendon. Until The Rock can resume filming, Disney's studio is putting production on the shelf. The film's shoot will have to wait for Johnson to undergo therapy as well following his operation. Doctors nor Disney have said how long "The Game Plan" will be kept in limbo waiting for The Rock to recover.
Disney was ready to begin shooting the film in Boston next week Monday.
Walt Disney Motion Picture Group president Nina Jacobson was quoted as saying, "While this is a setback for our production schedule, we completely support him as he recuperates and look forward to resuming production when Dwayne is fully recovered."
"The Rock" said to reporters, "I anticipate that with some TLC, pizza and a lot of donuts, I will be making a speedy recovery and will be able to get myself, and everyone who has been working so hard on this production, back to the business of doing what we love most, making movies."
Johnson has appeared in the films, "The Rundown", filmed in 2003; "The Scorpion King", filmed in 2002; and is best known for seeing his film career take off for "The Rock's" role in "The Mummy Returns", filmed in 2001.
Disney Shows Muscle with Boys Properties
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today announced that 2006 will bethe best year ever for boys. Driven by the tremendous success ofDisney*Pixar's "Cars," the establishment of "Pirates of the Caribbean"as a long-term franchise and the ongoing popularity of "PowerRangers," Disney is reaching boys with everything from die-cast,action figures and bikes to MP3 players, video games and books.
"With the strength of our entertainment, we knew 2006 would be theyear we became a power house boys player," said Andy Mooney, chairmanof Disney Consumer Products. "Similar to DCP's girl's portfolio, whichis the best in the industry, our boy's portfolio offers everythingfrom the whimsical 'Cars' and 'Toy Story' characters to the heroicrite of passage that is 'Power Rangers' for younger boys, to thecooler, more aspirational 'Pirates of the Caribbean' brand for theolder boy."
"Power Rangers" - DCP's #1 Boys Brand
DCP kicked-off its year experiencing strong demand for "PowerRangers" action figures, its perennial boy's property, during theHoliday 05 season. In 2005, "Power Rangers" was ranked second in theaction figure category behind "Star Wars," according to The NPD Group.Next year's theme will be called "Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive.""Power Rangers" airs more than 65 times each week in over 40territories worldwide, and continues to expand worldwide withsuccessful launches in Italy, India and other countries this year.
Disney*Pixar's "Cars" - phenomenal success
The tremendous anticipation of "Cars" before the film was releasedcombined with the huge box office opening resulted in record-breakingretail sales for merchandise based on a Disney*Pixar theatrical film.The film's humor, story and character personalities were incorporatedinto its products, which featured many category firsts for aDisney*Pixar film, including the first power ride-on, kids electronicsline and bedroom suite. Currently, "Cars" is recording 10 to 1 moreretail volume than "Finding Nemo" at the same point in its release.DCP plans to expand and refresh product with new creative style guidesfor fall and beyond. Large retailers have already committed to "Cars"feature shops for the entire months of November and December tomaximize the DVD release.
"Pirates of the Caribbean" - evergreen boy's franchise
On July 7, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" willrelease to theaters and reignite a pirate frenzy that started in 2003."Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" recorded morethan $650m in global box office sales, and "Dead Man's Chest" is oneof the most highly-anticipated events of the summer. With ongoingentertainment support, DCP is positioning "Pirates of the Caribbean"as an evergreen boy's franchise, comparable in opportunity to its"Disney Princess" franchise for girls.
Since the audience for "Pirates of the Caribbean" is so broad, DCPlooked to create innovative product and edgy creative designs formultiple consumers. Toy licensee, Zizzle's Black Pearl playset wasalready chosen for Toy Wishes "Hot Summer Toys" list, a high-endapparel and jewelry line tied into the current Pirates fashion trendwill launch to specialty stores, and Disney Publishing developed thelargest live-action publishing series ever -- including the latestnovel, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (junior novel),currently on the New York Times children's best-seller list. "Piratesof the Caribbean" product will be featured in all key categoriesrepresented at major retailers worldwide.
"Toy Story" - 10 Years Strong
And let's not forget about Woody and Buzz. Ten years from itsinitial release, the "Toy Story" franchise continues to show growth atretailers like Target, which showed double-digit growth in "Toy Story"merchandise sales this year. Additionally, "Toy Story" is thebest-selling boy's property at Disney Store North America, with newBuzz Lightyear and friends product in all key categories featured inmore than 100 stores.
For more information, please visit: www.disneyconsumerproducts.com
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The WaltDisney Company (NYSE:DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandiseranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books to interactive games,food and beverages, stationery, electronics and animation art. This isaccomplished through the work of DCP's various lines of business:Disney Toys, Disney Softlines, Disney Home, Disney Food, Health &Beauty, Disney Stationery, Disney Publishing, Buena Vista Games, BabyEinstein, the Muppets Holding Company and Disney Shopping, Inc.'scatalog and disneyshopping.com. The Disney Store, which debuted in1987, also falls under DCP, through stores currently owned andoperated by unaffiliated third parties under licensing agreements inNorth America and Japan, and wholly owned stores in Europe.
Disney's Dinner Bell
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz
Motley Fool
Updated: 9:34 a.m. ET June 21, 2006
There will be more pixie than dust in Disney's (NYSE: DIS) latest marketing initiative. At the Licensing 2006 International Show in New York this week, Disney unveiled its plan to turn Tinker Bell and her friends into its next big stars.
Until now, Fairies has been little more than an unassuming book line hoping to hook young girls with whimsical story lines. That will change. Disney has tapped Brittany Murphy to voice Peter Pan's spunky sprite in a direct-to-video animated feature next summer. Dolls and toys will follow.
The family entertainment giant has already had a few successful years with its Disney Princesses line. Marketing the heroines of its animated classics has turned into a $3 billion a year franchise. Going from Belle to Bell won't be as easy, especially since audiences know little about Tinker Bell and even less about her fellow fairies, but Disney could be well-served by going in this direction.
The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Narnia have all whetted the appetites of fantasy fans. Even if the audience for Fairies overlaps with the Disney Princesses crowd, Disney would rather hit them from both sides than let toy companies like Mattel(NYSE: MAT) win them over with Barbies and American Girl. Meanwhile, MGA Entertainment's Bratz and Build-A-Bear Workshop's (NYSE: BBW) personalized bears and friends 2B made lines are also gunning for the same audience.
Disney's consumer products division can use the attention. With strength at its theme parks and the resurgence in its media networks, the last time that Disney's consumer products made headlines was when it was partly bowing out of retail by handing over its Disney Stores to Children's Place(Nasdaq: PLCE). Last year, consumer products accounted for just a 7% slice of the company's revenue pie. The top line there has slipped 1% through the first six months of fiscal 2006, despite a 9% improvement in operating profits.
Scoring a hit with Fairies will help. Other recent homegrown successes, like the unlikely hit High School Musical, are already helping. So Tinker Bell, often relegated to gliding high in the sky before a fireworks show, will hopefully take flight for Disney again.
Pixie dust? Who needs it when you have shrewd merchandising at play?
Disney is an active recommendation forStock Advisornewsletter service subscribers, while Mattel is anInside Valueselection. Whatever your investing style, the Fool has a newsletter for you.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz is still a kid at heart, smitten over the right kind of animation. He owns shares in Disney. The Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick is also part of theRule Breakersnewsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Researchers Try to Talk with Dolphins at Epcot
Official Pirates Site Launched
Disneyland Autopia Cars Race for Charity at the Indy 500
Deluge Hits "Cars" Outdoor Premiere
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Sarah Litzsinger Returns to Beauty and the Beast May 30
Sarah went to my high school in Carmel, IN.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Dubailand Rivals Disneyland
'Lost' Toys in the Works
Monday, May 22, 2006
Disney Characters Getting Raises in Hong Kong
Disney's Hong Kong Headache
The California-headquartered company knows what it is talking about; it welcomed its 2 billionth visitor last week. And it is no stranger to tempestuous beginnings at an international park. When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992, Disney famously banned wine from park restaurants, much to the dismay of European bons vivants. In Hong Kong, Disney went out of its way to tailor the park to local tastes. Ironically, Disney's most high-profile stumble resulted from being too local. When executives decided to serve shark-fin soup, a Hong Kong favorite, environmentalists howled and Disney ignominiously yanked it from the menu. Another embarrassment came over the Lunar New Year holiday beginning in January. Tourists with valid tickets got turned away at the front gates after the park quickly filled up; the jilted travelers screamed at park employees, while TV cameras filmed one family trying to pass a child over the fence. Disney has also strained its relationship with Chinese travel agencies, which play a crucial role in funneling tourists into the park. Victor Yu Limin, a general manager at China CYTS Outbound Travel Service in Beijing, complains that Disney originally demanded several weeks' notice when the agency wanted to reserve a guaranteed number of rooms, a nearly impossible deadline, he says, as Chinese travelers often don't finalize trips more than a few days in advance. "We're listening to everything they have to say and adjusting where we can," says Josh D'Amaro, Hong Kong Disneyland's vice president for sales and travel-trade marketing. But, Yu says, Disney is "still far from understanding the real market in China. They started off doing business the American way, so they have encountered problems."
Given the complexity of the Hong Kong operation, such "teething pains" are hardly surprising, says Rasulo. What may be tougher to solve, though, are the yawns the miniature park is generating among tourists. Rasulo says the park wasn't built on a grand scale because the Chinese didn't grow up with Disney and don't know the characters as well as Americans and Europeans do, which acts as a constraint on its potential audience. Ernest calls it a "great introductory park." They also point out that the company plans to keep adding new attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland, including an updated version of Disney's classic Autopia racing game, scheduled to open this summer. While Ernest concedes that attendance is "a little behind" expectations, Disney is sticking to its target of 5.6 million guests in its first year. To hit these numbers, Disney is running aggressive promotions. Last month, the park offered free tickets for 50,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers, says Susan Chan, Hong Kong Disneyland's director of publicity, so they "can experience the Disney magic themselves [and] better share it with their passengers." And even if attendance lags for a while, Disney says the park is already benefiting its other businesses in Asia. Andy Bird, president of Walt Disney International, says there's been "a noticeable lift in our brand and character awareness" in China since the park's opening – sales of Buzz Lightyear merchandise have jumped, in part because the character features in Disneyland's popular Astro Blasters ride. Indeed, Disney continues to bet that its long-range investment plans in China will pay off, regardless of the recent headaches in Hong Kong. The firm is still in talks with Chinese officials about opening a mainland theme park, possibly in Shanghai, says Rasulo. "Have we made some mistakes?" he asks. "Absolutely. We are in a brand-new market. We have to keep listening and keep learning."