MOVIEGOERS 2010

MOVIEGOERS 2010
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The following research study, titled “Moviegoers: 2010,” is intended to provide film marketers
with actionable insights into how to best reach movie consumers over the next decade.
Nearly 4,000 moviegoers across all age groups participated, shedding light on the behaviors
and habits that drive moviegoer awareness and decision-making.
HOW IT WAS DONE: The project was led by Gordon Paddison, principal of Stradella Road.
Marketing strategy consultant and former studio executive Linda S. Middleton worked with
Stradella Road to design and execute the study. Nielsen NRG managed the research fieldwork.
Questions were formed in part from thirty hours of interviews conducted with key executives in
movie marketing, media and research. In-theater surveys were conducted with 1,547 moderate
to heavy moviegoers over eight days between July 9 and July 26, with an additional 2,305
moderate to heavy moviegoers surveyed by phone or online during the month of July.
This research was made possible by our Consortium partners: AOL, Facebook, Fandango,
Google, Microsoft, MovieTickets.com and Yahoo!
PRESENTATION NOTES
Let’s start with a GOODBYE…
In 1983, 106 million people, some 60% of all households in the US, tuned in at the same time
to watch the last episode of M*A*S*H—a peak moment for mass market TV.
The world, of course, has changed since then. We can all agree on that, right?
And yet, when it comes to movie marketing, while we’ve made some incremental changes here
and there… the truth is, we’re still largely following a mass-market approach…
Too often, our marketing plan for our next picture is what we did for our last picture.
Changes in media consumption and technology
usage have reached an inflection point.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Why is this? Smart people at studios pore over research, tracking, post mortems.
And, contrary to conventional wisdom, there are people who take risks and try new things.
So why does our tracking and research so often surprise and disappoint us? The answer
marketers gave us in conversations was this: We still don’t know our customers/audience
as well as we should.
Where do moviegoers really spend their time? What are the social dynamics of the decisionmaking process? How do we synthesize the sea changes taking place in order to reach the
right audience with the right message at the right time in the right place?
“We really don’t know the decision-making process of moviegoers as
well as we should; how far in advance do they make a decision and what
influences them on making that decision?” –Studio Marketing Exec
PRESENTATION NOTES
Before we dig into the data, a few words about what we did and where the information you are
about to see came from…
In our development, we spent time with studio colleagues who are heads of marketing, media
and research. From over 30 hours of interviews, we synthesized questions to address the
purchase funnel and how to best market to the consumer of the next decade.
We took the questions from marketers and went out and spoke to moviegoers. A lot of
moviegoers.
We talked to them in theaters, we called them over the telephone, and we found them
online. And what we discovered was change…
THE MOVIEGOERS 2010 PROJECT
We talked to moviegoers: We talked to them in theaters, we called
them over the telephone, and we talked to them online.
In-theater Qualitative Interviews
In-theater Intercept Survey
1547 interviews with moderate to heavy moviegoers, completed
nationwide over 8 days between July 9th and July 26th
Phone/Online Quantitative
2305 interviews of moderate to heavy moviegoers, completed
throughout July
PRESENTATION NOTES
To be honest, it feels like some of us are still in denial about the changes at hand. Or maybe
moving from denial stage of the grief cycle into anger or depression.
We acknowledge that something is going on with media consumption habits, but stop short of
dealing with the magnitude of those changes.
Make no mistake about it: For moviegoers, digital technologies have gone mainstream, with
significant repercussions for our marketing efforts.
Let’s look at some of the top line findings…
Fact: Digital technologies have gone mainstream.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Mobile penetration has reached a near saturation level across moviegoers of all ages. The
landline finding was a surprise, with 44% of 18-29s reporting they no longer use a landline.
One 20-something we spoke to in a movie theater told us “What’s the point of getting a land
line? You can’t take it out of the house with you.”
Mobile phone penetration has reached 90%.
32% of moviegoers no longer use a landline.
PRESENTATION NOTES
There’s a lot of talk about when DVRs will become a real issue. For moviegoers, that time is
now.
52% of moviegoers have DVRs and use them exactly as you would expect — to time shift
programs and fast forward through commercials, making our consumers more elusive to reach
than ever.
Are moviegoers seeing your spot? Well, maybe not… The research indicates that 71% of
moviegoers regularly use their DVR to fast forward and 55% almost always fast forward
through commercials.
DVRs have changed how moviegoers watch TV:
52% of moviegoers have DVRs (peaking at 61% of 30s) 1
80% watch programs according to their own schedule 2
71% fast forward and skip past commercials 2
Only 17% primarily watch live TV
Source: Phone/Online Survey
1 Base:
Moviegoers who watch TV (95%)
2 Base:
2
Moviegoers who have a DVR
PRESENTATION NOTES
We asked our telephone respondents: Do you regularly access the Internet using either a
computer or mobile device?
We found that virtually all moviegoers are now online. Furthermore they are heavy Internet
users.
This is true ACROSS demographic segments, including 90% of moviegoers aged 40+.
86% of moviegoers go online via a computer or mobile
device at least once a day.
This is true ACROSS demo segments, including 40+, 50+.
Moviegoers spend more time online than watching TV.
19.8 hours weekly online vs. 14.3 hours watching TV
54% of moviegoers indicate, “I spend more time doing things on the Internet
than I do watching TV.”
PRESENTATION NOTES
For the record, being online means more than just emailing. For moviegoers, the Internet is a
source of information, entertainment, and socialization.
Moviegoers go online to gather knowledge. 78% use the Internet to check news and sports
information.
Social activities are also dominant, as moviegoers connect via chat, instant messaging, online
forums, or social networks. 73% of the moviegoers have created their own social networking
profile and 46% indicate they spend a lot of time socializing with friends over the Internet.
Being online also means watching video content: 69% watch videos created by other people,
66% watch movie trailers, 57% watch news-related clips and 55% watch movie clips.
Being online means more than just emailing.
Moviegoer Online Activities:
Use Email
94%
Info Gathering
95%
75%
Social Activities
72%
Video Activity
Blogging
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who access Internet
54%
PRESENTATION NOTES
As a result of the mainstreaming of digital technologies, we’re more distracted than ever—and
your best customer, the heavy moviegoer, is the most distracted.
Besides household chores, they are using the Internet, texting and social networking.
Moviegoers are heavy multi-taskers.
Activities Often Done Watching TV:
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Using the Internet for general use
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Household chores
School work, paper work, or job-related work
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Social networking on the Internet
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Texting
Total Moviegoers
Reading
Heavy Moviegoers
Exercising
Playing video games on another device
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who watch TV (95%)
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The road to box office dollars has
evolved along with these changes.
First
Awareness
Build
Knowledge &
Engagement
Close the
Deal
PRESENTATION NOTES
TV and in-theater are still where most moviegoers first hear about a new movie, though Internet
and WOM are now at 44% and 46% respectively, ahead of billboards and newspaper ads.
Consistently, throughout this project we heard from moviegoers how important the trailer is to
building awareness and interest. 74% of moviegoers told us that trailers are a key source that
influences their decision process. In-theater we found that 3 out of 4 moviegoers had previously
seen a trailer for the movie they were attending.
TV spots and in-theater trailers frequently drive first awareness.
Word of mouth and the Internet also play a role.
Often the First Place To Hear About a New Movie:
73%
TV commercials
70%
The in-theater movie trailer
46%
From friends or family
44%
Somewhere on the Internet
27%
Movie posters and billboards
Newspaper ads
Source: Phone/Online Survey
16%
Moviegoers see trailers in theaters and online.
Before seeing a movie, 83% viewed a trailer for it in a
theater and 45% viewed it online.
Source: In-theater Intercept Survey
Building knowledge and engagement
now requires an integrated approach.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Moviegoers seek to understand a film’s key assets and to evaluate what they are seeing. They
want to know what is unique about the movie. They want to know if it is any good and if it
is worth seeing.
This chart shows what information moviegoers often look for when deciding to see a film. The
details of the movie, the scenes, the stars… all provide insights into a films quality and
entertainment value.
Once they hear about a movie, moviegoers seek more
information to decide if they want to see it.
37%
Details of what the movie is about
Scenes / clips from the movie
34%
The genre
32%
The stars
38%
33%
26%
Family and friends' opinions about the movie
14%
The movie’s rating
13%
Source: Phone/Online Survey
37%
24%
Whether a movie is child friendly
Other moviegoers' opinions about the movie
41%
9%
27%
30%
18%
20%
Very Often
Often
PRESENTATION NOTES
So where do moviegoers learn about their key decision factor, the story in the movie? They turn
equally to the Internet and TV.
The degree of influence varies somewhat by age. Young adults rely more on the Internet for
story insights, while the scale tips slightly toward TV for the 50+ moviegoer. Newspaper and
magazines only register with the oldest moviegoers.
Moviegoers learn details about a movie’s story from the
Internet and TV equally.
Where do you typically find, see, or hear…
“Details of what the movie is about?"
On the Internet
52%
On TV
50%
In-theater trailer/poster
34%
From friends/family
32%
Newspaper/magazine
Some other place
Source: Phone/Online Survey
21%
5%
Base: Moviegoers who indicated knowing “Details of what movie is about” helps them decide to see movie (95%)
PRESENTATION NOTES
Moviegoers evaluate the key assets of a film and form an opinion based on those facts. The
Internet is now a key to discovery and building engagement.
The Internet is now the primary source for additional
information about a movie.
Where do you typically find, see, or hear…
What other
moviegoers think
about the movie
On the Internet
What movie
critics think about
the movie
45%
Background and
behind-the-scenes
information
53%
56%
On TV
21%
36%
Newspaper/magazine
16%
33%
18%
In-theater trailer/poster
9%
11%
20%
Some other place
8%
6%
6%
12%
14%
From friends/family
51%
43%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who indicated knowing respective information helps them decide to see movie (62%, 42%, 45%)
PRESENTATION NOTES
To drive moviegoers down the funnel from awareness to intent to purchase now requires a
more connected, integrated approach. Nothing lives, or works, in isolation.
Exposure to marketing messages, wherever they occur, can drive curiosity and a desire to learn
more.
Exposures that trigger online search include: Seeing a trailer (71%), seeing a TV spot (60%),
someone telling you about a movie (58%)…
Moviegoers hear about movies from multiple
sources; to learn more, they turn to search.
93% use Internet search to find information about movies.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Moviegoers search online to find information that ultimately will impacts their desire to see a
movie.
They are looking for more than just showtimes and locations—they search for a AV assets, as
well as story and cast information.
Ultimately, they want to know what a movie is about and to determine if it is meant for them.
They search for more than where the movie is playing.
What Moviegoers Search For Online:
65%
The trailer
62%
Showtimes
54%
Theater locations
51%
Information about a particular movie’s story
49%
Video clips from a movie or viral videos
Information about the cast of a particular move
36%
Photos from the movie
33%
What people are saying about the movie
33%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who use search for movie information
PRESENTATION NOTES
The influence of the local market reviewer, as well as the impact of the Sunday review ad, have
been in decline for some time, but these numbers show that we’ve reached another tipping
point.
The Internet is now the dominant source for movie reviews for all age groups, with the
exception of the 50+ moviegoer. They are the only demo that still also seeks out reviews in
newspapers.
Moviegoers mostly get review information online.
Where Moviegoers Typically Get Review Information:
62%
On the Internet
51%
From friends and family
49%
On TV
29%
In a newspaper
In a magazine
21%
On the radio
19%
Some place else
6%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who read reviews before seeing movies in-theater
PRESENTATION NOTES
Many of the moviegoers we talked to felt that the critics are not in sync with their own personal
opinions. They would rather have feedback from their own peer group.
In social networks, face-to-face discussions, and by texting, moviegoers share their thoughts
and opinions about movies. They seek insights and validations from others. In many cases,
they become the marketing voice for the movie. Teens and younger adults are especially
influenced by this consumer chatter.
“I trust what my friends think about a movie more than I trust a critic.” 75%
“I like to share my thoughts and opinions about movies with others.” 74%
Source: Phone/Online Survey
PRESENTATION NOTES
Rather than relying on a singular critical voice, moviegoers look to their social networks and a
variety of review aggregation sites for review feedback. 45% of heavy moviegoers have looked
at aggregation sites, which has become their modern version of the Sunday review ad.
Moviegoers find as much value in seeing an aggregated average score as they do in reading a
full review. They are looking for the simple thumbs up or thumbs down.
Most moviegoers place more value in friends’ opinions and
consumer reviews than they do in professional critics.
Review Information That Helps Moviegoers
Decide If They Will Like a Movie:
72%
Comments from friends and family
29%
Comments posted on websites
Comments posted on social networks
26%
41%
Online reviews written by consumers or moviegoers
36%
Average score / grade combining moviegoer opinions
32%
Reviews written by professional movie critics
Average score / grade combining professional reviews
28%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who read reviews before seeing movies in-theater
PRESENTATION NOTES
So when your movie gets mostly positive reviews, what impact does that have on your boxoffice?
Obviously, it helps, but more importantly, positive feedback from consumer reviews will have
a greater influence on movie attendance than the critic's voice.
The impact of positive reviews…
From
Professional
Critics
Made me MUCH more likely
29%
Made me SLIGHTLY more likely
38%
From
Other
Moviegoers
41%
39%
Had NO effect on seeing film
33%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who read reviews before seeing movies in-theater
20%
PRESENTATION NOTES
While positive reviews may be motivating, a negative review may have less damage. 84% of
moviegoers told us that when they make up their mind to see a movie, it doesn’t matter what
the critics say about it. If they have bought into the idea of the movie, they plan on attending.
Negative feedback from consumers, however, has greater potential for keeping them out of the
theater.
The impact of negative reviews…
From
Professional
Critics
Decided NOT to see
28%
SLIGHTLY more hesitant but still went
34%
Had NO effect on seeing film
38%
From
Other
Moviegoers
40%
35%
Source: Phone/Online Survey Base: Moviegoers who read reviews before seeing movies in-theater
25%
PRESENTATION NOTES
What we found in our in-theater interviews was that moviegoers generally have a short list of
films they want to see.
Sometimes they don’t see their first choice film. We found a good deal of negotiation and
switching as moviegoers finalized their movie choice.
Building a strong intensity and desire to see your film prior to arrival in the theater drives
interest conversion.
“People often make their final decision about what movie they’re
going to see three hours before they go… but you’ve got to be on
the consideration list well before that.” – Studio Marketing Exec
PRESENTATION NOTES
Wanting to see a movie and choosing to see that movie in a theater are two separate decisions.
The left side of the following chart focuses on building moviegoer’s commitment to see a
particular movie. For some consumers this occurs further out and for others it happens opening
week. As moviegoers are exposed to marketing materials they gain perspective and hopefully
develop definite interest.
The second decision is when they decide to take action and go to the movies. Converting
interest to box-office typically occurs within several days of going to the theater.
There are multiple decision points in the purchase funnel.
Decided they want to see a
particular movie…
Today
8%
Decided to go to the
theater…
Today
36%
36%
Last two days
10%
Last two days
Within the last week
11%
Within the past week
20%
Within the last week
20%
Within the past month
More than a month ago
Source: In-theater Intercept Survey
23%
29%
More than a week ago
8%
PRESENTATION NOTES
Moviegoing is an escape from day to day life, an entertainment you share with others, a social
event.
Typically, the decision to go to the movies is not made alone: It is made with friends, with dates,
with parents, and with kids. It is made in groups. 46% of moviegoers we found in theaters
were attending in groups of 3+.
Key Finding: Moviegoers are highly influenced
by group decision making.
PRESENTATION NOTES
In fact, having someone else want to see a movie was as motivating of a factor as the
story in the movie itself.
Group think is critical to the movie decision process.
In choosing a movie, the fact that someone else wanted to see it was
equally important to the story.
Factors that were VERY IMPORTANT
in wanting to see movie:
57%
The story in the movie
55%
Someone else wanted to see it
The type or genre of movie
44%
The cast in the movie
43%
The advertising, trailers and promotions
Heard good comments
That it's a sequel
Movie's rating
Source: In-theater Intercept Survey
32%
26%
23%
19%
PRESENTATION NOTES
The moviegoing social group changes with age and lifestage.
Teens, 13 to 17, graduate from going only with their family to going with a social group. The
moviegoing trip becomes a major social outlet and teens like to go with a big group of friends.
As moviegoers hit adulthood, they split their trips between friends and dates. Then as they
move into their 30’s, if there are no children in the household, they go to the movies mostly as
couples.
Children change the mix and movie trips for parents become either family oriented or date
nights. 60% of parents almost never attend movies with friends.
When families go together, the child is frequently the initiator and the movie is typically a joint
child/parent decision.
Teens go in groups.
56% in 3+ groups; 33% in 4+ groups (INT)
Adults without children living at
home go in pairs.
Most likely to be in pairs: 50% vs 37% parents
Family trips dominate for parents.
61% of parents were attending in family groups
No longer attend movies with friends
Even kids have a voice…
(Or there is no such thing as “nag vs drag”)
91% of parents with children 12 or younger see
movies the child asked to see or child/parent
equally wanted to see.
PRESENTATION NOTES
In many cases, moviegoers have a favorite theater or specific time window to see a movie. Not
having the right location or time can cause moviegoers to select a different movie.
Theater selection and showtimes also impact choice.
Moviegoers will frequently have a short list of films and then choose
based on theater and time.
Thinking about your decision to come to the movies today, which of the
following did your group decide on first?
58%
The specific MOVIE you wanted to see
32%
The particular THEATER you wanted to go to
The TIME that you wanted to see the movie
Source: In-theater Intercept Survey
10%
PRESENTATION NOTES
Overwhelmingly moviegoers turn to the Internet for showtimes. Typically, this may be the last
piece of marketing information they see before heading to the theater.
Moviegoers often find showtimes by…
71%
Looking online using your computer
Looking in a newspaper
Looking at the theater's marquee or sign
27%
22%
Calling the theater directly
20%
Looking online using your cell phone
18%
Calling a movie showtime service like Moviefone or
your cell provider's 411 Information line
12%
Source: Phone/Online Survey
PRESENTATION NOTES
If media consumption and technology usage patterns have evolved, so has the journey from
awareness to ticket purchase. So, where does this leave our marketing?
We all know that audiences have fragmented. And yet, when it comes to movie marketing,
we’re still largely following a mass-market approach.
The time has come to expand our targeting from the typical Four Quad or 18-34 approach to a
more sophisticated segmentation taking into consideration both age and stage of life. Because
as moviegoers move through their lives, from high school to college to parenthood and beyond,
their moviegoing habits change.
Teens to college students, entering single life and the workforce, parenthood (of kids, of teens),
empty nesting… Their interest in seeing movies stays the same but their time and priorities
change.
Given what we know, is there a more effective
and/or efficient way to segment moviegoers?
PRESENTATION NOTES
Teen life is focused around customization of their entertainment and maximizing socialization.
Teens share everything, from their anticipation about movies and what they think after
attending.
The primary form of communication is text messaging, followed by social networking and
instant messaging. Teens text & IM—they don’t talk on the phone, they text on the phone.
They are more likely than total moviegoers to use Internet for social networking while watching
TV, A/V materials (on & off-line) and friend’s opinions greatly influence their movie choice, and
they typically go to the movies in groups.
Moviegoers ages 13-17
Teen life is focused around customization of their entertainment and
maximizing socialization.
Defining characteristics:
Short attention span
Multi-processing!(watch TV, text, socialize online) all while doing homework
More likely to text than have telephone conversations
Social networking is a critical communication tool
Moviegoing is a major social event; typically attend in groups
Key attitudes:
“I spend a lot of time socializing with my friends over the Internet” (67%) +21
“I hate it when my friends see a movie before I do and then spoil parts of it by telling
me about the movie.” (71%) +9
“I like to see movies right away when they first open, so I can talk about them with my
friends.” (57%) +9
PRESENTATION NOTES
Marketers asked us:
– What is the decision-making process for teens?
ANSWER: Group Think
– How do we break through that and reach them since they’re watching TV, IMing, texting, and
on the computer?
ANSWER: BE WHERE THEY ARE and in the areas that they spend time.
– Are they going to a movie because of the movie, or just need something to do on Friday
night?
ANSWER: Either way, you have to be in their consideration set.
How to reach Teens…
Leverage the power of social networks
online to control and participate in Group
Think.
Movie choice is influenced by A/V materials
on/off-line and friends opinions.
Create evangelists among groups (viral
strategy).
Factor in Parents, who can still influence
the decision (trip segmentation includes
family as well as friends).
PRESENTATION NOTES
Moviegoers 18-29 are Digital Natives that have grown up with technology, have free time and
non-traditional media consumption habits.
As a group they have broader and more formalized socialization than teens and they are
enthusiastic and savvy in engaging with online content, especially video. They are more likely
than all other moviegoers to go online for info about movies they are interested in and share
what they thought about a movie via social networks.
They use the Internet for every type of information and find Internet ads influential in their
purchase decision.
Moviegoers ages 18-29
Digital Natives have grown up with technology and have free time and
non-traditional media consumption.
Defining characteristics:
First adopters to new tech
Like teens, they are multi-processors (video gaming, socializing)
A group you will not easily find via traditional methods; 44% don’t own a land-line
Put a high value in online consumer reviews and review aggregation sites
Will not watch television on someone else’s schedule much longer; will never read a
newspaper
Key attitudes:
“I get most of my entertainment news from the Internet.” (66%) +12
“The Internet is the best place to find out the truth about whether or not a movie is any
good." (49%) +7
“I like to share my thoughts and opinions about movies with others.” (80%) +6
“If I see something that makes me curious about a movie, I will go online to learn
more.” (72%) +5
PRESENTATION NOTES
Marketers asked us:
– How much of the Internet is a place you go to get more information after your initial exposure,
whether it be a trailer or a TV spot?
ANSWER: The Internet is the primary place that young adult moviegoers go for
information about movies.
– The only question I ask about the other mediums is, "Do I have to do this?”
ANSWER: YES, to reach this audience, you have to be online.
Young Adults
Be in their world: The Internet dominates their journey from first awareness to
building knowledge and engagement to key influential sources.
Leverage engagement with content refreshing; these are heavy online content
consumers, especially video.
Word of mouth travels faster with this group than with older moviegoers, much of
it online—don’t think you can hide playability.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Thirty-something moviegoers are heavy-duty multi-processors with financial resources but also
limited time. Their weekdays are all about work and family, so this age group is your Weekend
Warriors… with moviegoing being primarily a weekend event.
This age group is technology enabled. Among all age groups, they have the highest incidence
of Internet usage, broadband access, DVR ownership, and cell phone penetration. They have
the highest number of hours spent online and use Internet for a wide variety of activities
including search, news, video, and social networking.
These 30-something moviegoers are also the most time constrained and have the highest
incidence of using DVR to time shift and ad skipping.
As the moviegoer moves from the 20s to the 30s, we see movie-going behaviors changing. We
see a decline in the social group movie occasion – that is going with friends. Parenthood is
hitting its peak and movie-going trips are now split between their family and their spouse, but
without their children.
Children are frequently pre-teen, requiring parents to attend with and orchestrate entertainment
information and choice. Movie-going choices shows a higher incidence of animation and family
movies (G + PG with limited PG-13).
Moviegoers ages 30-39
The Weekend Warrior: Time constrained; parenthood dominates.
Defining characteristics:
Highest number of hours spent online and highest use of all technology: Internet,
broadband, email, DVR (and ad skipping, at 63%), cell phone
These moviegoers are the most time constrained; they use online for search, news,
video and social networking
Movie-going trips are split between those seen with child and those with spouse
Key attitudes:
“If I see something that makes me curious about a movie, I go online to learn more
about that movie.” (71%)
“I would go to the movies more often if I had more time.” (68%)
PRESENTATION NOTES
Marketers asked: “How do I get somebody like me… who uses a lot of entertainment but may
not engage with the messaging?”
ANSWER: A highly integrated approach is necessary to drive awareness with this group.
What differentiates 30-somethings from younger moviegoers is the emergence of the family
influence. When targeting this group, attention must be paid not just to your target but also to
other members of the decision-making set in order to avoid rejection by co-attendees.
Thirty-somethings
Husband, wife and kids
negotiate movie-going
choices (a different type of
Group Think) —Create some
level of interest from
secondary decision makers.
Highest DVR penetration,
most recorded TV viewing
and highest incidence of
always fast-forward through
commercials (63% ) —Don’t
count on live TV.
Highest Internet penetration
as a group —Engage them
online with programs on
news, sports, information
and social networking sites.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Similar to the 30-somethings, moviegoers in their 40s and 50s show high Internet and email
usage. However, this group still embraces traditional media such as newspapers and
magazines. Television usage increases compared to that of younger moviegoers and peaks
with the 50-somethings. These older moviegoers skip ads because they think there are just too
many commercials on television.
As moviegoers and families age, their movie attendance is dominated by the family moviegoing occasion. A greater percentage of the trips are with the family than just with a spouse or
date. The children are older, often teens, and now strongly influence the decision process.
Matinees grow more common.
Moviegoers ages 40-59
Family Years are dominated by movie-going trips with teenagers.
Empty Nesters reconnect to their movie-going affinity.
Defining characteristics:
40-49yr olds are similar to 30’s moviegoers and spend a lot of time online
They have high technology use but also embrace traditional media habits (magazines
and newspapers)
Dominated by families and influenced by teens (Children are older and have a voice in
the process)
Choices come from the family group: More trips with family than with spouse
50-59yr olds
Matinees more common
Skip ads because they think there are too many commercials on television
Numbers pop for newspaper, magazine and traditional media; slightly lower penetration
of technology.
Key attitudes:
“Going to the movies is a good escape from everyday life.” (83%)
PRESENTATION NOTES
Traditional marketing methods, media, and professional critics may still influence them, but
these older moviegoers also show heavy Internet and technology usage. They appear to adopt
digital knowledge and acceptance from exposure from their children.
Additionally, as their children age and become independent, these older moviegoers have more
free time and resources. Older moviegoers begin to relate to movie-going like younger
consumers. We see more going in pairs and a slight increase the social group movie occasion.
There does appear to be a distinct opportunity to drive additional engagement with these
consumers who have the time and opportunity—consumers who can reconnect with their
movie-going affinity and, in many ways, mirror the affinity of consumers 30 years their junior.
Forty-somethings
Most likely to have teen children
Often in a transitional period for technology usage,
media consumption and moviegoing
Fifty-pluses
Become re-engaged with their movie-going habits
Go to films with a partner, friends, adult children
The heaviest TV-viewing demo
Still influenced by traditional critics/reviews
PRESENTATION NOTES
We have reached an inflection point in technology and consumer media consumption habits
have changed as a result. Increasing choice in media options and consumption means that
moviegoers control message timing and delivery.
As technology evolves and media patterns shift,
the intricate road to box office success grows
even more complex.
Moviegoers have fully adopted digital technologies; an Internet connection
is now a must-have for all demos.
Increasing choice in media options and consumption means that moviegoers
control message timing and, to a degree, delivery — via DVRs, Mobile
devices, always-on broadband internet.
There is no longer a single source or one-size-fits-all approach that works.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Marketing effectiveness requires integration of a media-connected campaign.
Sources of information and influence are always shifting and evolving. There are multiple
triggers.
To maximize your marketing effectiveness, the pieces must work together. Today, moviegoers
don’t have to wait for your message; search allows them to find the movie information (positive,
negative and everything in between) that they want, when they want it.
An effective campaign is an integrated, mediaconnected campaign.
Sources of information and influence are always shifting and evolving.
Whether they see your trailer or TV spot in-theaters, on a TV, on an iPhone,
or on a PC, there are multiple triggers to generate their interest, which
generally leads them online. The pieces must work together.
Moviegoers don’t have to wait for your message; search allows them to find
the movie information (positive, negative and everything in between) that
they want, when they want it.
PRESENTATION NOTES
Segmentation must evolve with consumers. Life Stage and Group Think drive beyond age and
can cross demographic segments, which can impact tracking.
Through integrated planning, this is an opportunity for studio marketers to be relevant in the
different channels of today’s moviegoers and build awareness, engagement and consideration.
Segmentation must evolve with consumers.
Life Stage may take consumers out of purely age-driven demographic
segments.
Moviegoers are highly influenced by group decision making and Group Think
can cross demographic segments and throw off tracking.
The roar of chatter can also cross neatly demarcated demos; pay heed to
moviegoers use of social networks and tools.
MOVIEGOERS 2010
This STRADELLA ROAD research initiative is supported by the following partners:
PARTNER CONTACT INFORMATION
AOL
Karin Mihkels
310-285-4061
[email protected]
FACEBOOK
Rob Lissner
415-902-7885
[email protected]
FANDANGO
Allison Mellon
310-954-0278 ext 199
[email protected]
GOOGLE
Adam Stewart
310-309-6853
[email protected]
MICROSOFT AD SOLUTIONS
Lora Keltner
310-449-7485
[email protected]
MOVIETICKETS
Beth Ledbetter(561)
322-3214
[email protected]
YAHOO!
Michael Laur
310-907-2912
[email protected]
About Stradella Road
Stradella Road is an independent marketing and consulting company that
focuses on integration between traditional and new media and on
pioneering unconventional media/message combinations for clients
including RealD, Intuit and filmmaker Peter Jackson.
Updates at: www.stradellaroad.com
Gordon Paddison
office: 424-832-3976
[email protected]
NOTE: Images used by Creative Commons license. Errors or omissions will gladly be corrected
if brought to our attention. e-mail: [email protected]