Cover Photo From Creative Commons
Written by Degan Schloemann in collaboration with AI tools.
This week, we will examine three famous movie public relations campaigns and discuss some of their strategies and impacts. We will examine, starting with the most recent, the 2023 Barbie movie starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie; then the 2010 film Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio; and, to consider a movie that stayed in theaters for nine months and topped box office sales, the classic 1997 Titanic starring DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
The entertainment industry spends a lot of time and money of film production, advertising, and public relations. Incorporating a campaign is something that near all films do through trailers and sneak peaks, events, themes, and suspense to engage and captivate viewers. When done well, these strategies can be a gateway to a movie classifies with “the classics.”
Barbie 2023
First, let’s look at Barbie (2023), for example. With its high-concept branding and saturation marketing strategy, Barbie Pink became a known color that was impossible to ignore. From real-life Dreamhouses on Airbnb to Google turning pink when users searched the film, Barbie wasn’t just a movie but something incorporated into media users’ lives. The Barbie film captivated audiences inspiring outfits, themes, and nonstop media attention.
Inception 2010
In contrast, Inception (2010) took the opposite approach, mystery. The trailers hinted at the films dream-sharing technology but revealed little about the actual plot. Combined with viral websites that delved deeper into the lore, the campaign fueled speculation and debate, which only heightened viewers interest. Rather than sell trailers and plotlines, Inception sold curiosity, and it worked in this case. The anticipation grew within viewers, curious of the complex story line. This movie is one of those movies you may have to watch multiple times to fully understand, growing the viewership and increasing the number of fans who return to watch.
Titanic 1997
Then there’s Titanic (1997), a film that combines emotional connection and tragedy. Titanic was a hit! It became the highest grossing film for about 12 years until Avatar came out in 2009. The film incorporated Celine Dion’s unforgettable track, “My Heart Will Go On,” which topped charts before the movie was even released. The director, James Cameron, leaned heavily into the media to promote the movie through making debuts on television shows to staying relevant in the most popular headlines!
While technically a disaster movie, its PR and storyline leaned into the romance, presenting Jack and Rose’s love story as the film’s heart. The film stayed in theaters for over nine months in some areas, which is nearly unheard of today. Titanic wasn’t just an incredible movie, it became a classic watched by most.
Final Thoughts
Though different in tone, genre, and era, all three films used PR to promote and immerse audiences. These campaigns show how public relations in the entertainment industry can turn marketing and strategy into a movie worth remembering.
Degan Schloemann 