“La La Land” gets an EclairColor re-release, Barco and VMM form One Network Alliance, NEC launches a laser projector, Ellon Cinema wins the lottery, demonitisation effects profits at PVR Cinemas and UFO Moviez in India, Ann Summers runs sexy ad campaign in UK cinemas

Germany (Berlin) – Ymagis is expanding its EclairColor footprint into Germany with installations at Nuremberg’s Cinecitta’ Multiplexkino and Eiszeit-Kino.  The first film being screened is the EclairColor re-release of  “La La Land” which began playing 3 February.  This colorful Oscar-nominated musical would seem the perfect film to show in EclairColor, which is designed to provide better contrast and greater image fidelity. Press Release – 3 February 2017

US (CA) – Barco is bolstering its Digital Lobby Experience offering by teaming up with Vision Media Management (VMM) to create the One Network Alliance, a platform designed to simplify in-theatre marketing campaigns.  Barco brings the technology and software expertise, whereas VMM is a leading in marketing and fulfillment services firm. Press Release – 30 January 2017

USA (Chicago) – NEC Display Solutions of America is getting into the laser projector trend in a serious way with the announcement of the NC1700L, a new digital cinema projector.  The company says the dual-laser projector will offer brighter images (14,000 lumens to be exact), richer colors (thanks to a new laser system featuring red and blue lasers paired with green phosphor) and reduced cost of ownership.  Naturally, the NC1700L supports both 2D and 3D playback. BusinessWire – 6 February 2017

UK (Ellon) – Thanks to a £4,350 (USD $5441) contribution from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All program, the Ellon Cinema will be able to continue showing films on a regular basis.  The cinema, which holds screenings at the town’s Victoria Hall, is run solely by volunteers who over the past several years have raised funds from a number of sources to purchase and install the latest digital cinema technology, including surround sound. Ellon Times – 2 February 2017

Earnings Reports

India – Profit at PVR, the country’s largest cinema operator (559 screens), fell 21.7% year-over-year during the third quarter which ended 31 December 2016.  Even though revenue rose 7.4% to Rs 537 crore (USD $80.6 million) net profit dropped to Rs 23.5 crore (USD $3.52 million).  Attendance also dipped from 18.5 million in the quarter ending September 2016 to 17.9 million due in part to demonetisation which lead to a country-wide cash crunch.  The crisis even caused ticket buying patterns to shift from a cash basis of 45% to what is now 25%.  Underperforming films during the quarter didn’t help PVR’s bottom line either. International Business Times – 7 Feburary 2017

India – Demonetisation is also being faulted by UFO Moviez for the 2.7% decline in year-over-year earnings it suffered in the most recent quarter ending 31 December 2016.  The company, which provides cinema advertising and operates a digital cinema distribution network, reported Rs 42.7 crore (USD $6.34 million) in advertising revenue, a 5.2% year-over-year increase.  Despite growing income, expenses related in part to the recent demonetisation caused an overall drop in profits. Indian Television – 2 February 2017

People

India (Bangalore) – Harkness Screens continues its expansion into Asia, specifically growing its support of the Indian cinema market by giving SVP Sales & Marketing (Asia) Preetham Daniel a few more responsibilities.  Daniel has already been overseeing the company’s growth within the region and now he will take on the challenge of handling accounts for global customers and partners. Press Release – 2 February 2017

Law & Order

Germany – A midnight robbery attempt at the Cineplex cinema in Berlin’s Spandau district. When the cinema staff member started shouting at the two masked men they took flight and fled empty handed. Nobody was injured. Der TagesSpiegel (DE) – 2 January 2017

India (Mumbai) – The owner of the Prakash Cinema and his son have both been arrested by the (ominous sounding) Mumbai Cyber Police.  They are charged with producing a camcorder version of “Force 2” and uploading it to the internet.   The film was originally released on November 18th of last year, the same day a pirated version appeared online.  The cinema is located in Gwalior. DNA – 7 February 2017

Seating

Cayman Islands – What are cinema chains doing with the old seats that they rip out to replace with comfy new leather recliners? Turns out some of them are being given away. For free! 150 theatre seats are available from Regal Camana Bay Bay Stadium 6 in Cayman islands (possibly the southernmost deployment of Regal Entertainment) for the first takers. Cayman Compass – 29 January 2017

Finally

UK – When “Fifty Shades Darker” opens in Cinemas on 10 February, it will be joined by a new advertisement from, appropriately enough, Ann Summers, the sexy lingerie retailer.  This is the first cinema advertisement run by the retailer, which operates 134 stores throughout the UK.  Ann Summers is implementing the ad as part of a campaign entitled “Love, Lust and Everything In Between”. RetailWeek – 6 February 2017