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[Tyler]

HOLLYWOOD (Variety)-- MGM Home Entertainment is partnering with one of the nation's biggest sellers of DVDs -- Best Buy -- for the reintroduction of the entire James Bond film series later this year.
The unprecedented long-term marketing campaign comes on the 40th anniversary of the release of "Dr. No," the first film in the series, and the campaign is timed to precede the release of the 20th official Bond installment in theaters this November.

As part of Best Buy's most comprehensive promotional campaign ever, the retailer will sponsor theatrical trailers for the upcoming Bond film, according to Jeff Maynard, Best Buy VP of marketing services.

MGM has partnered with Best Buy to create a sort of 007 store within its more than 1,800 Best Buy, Sam Goody, Suncoast, Media Play, On-Cue and Future Shop outlets. The James Bond sections, which will vary among chains, will include the three DVD box sets of the 007 movies that have been on moratorium for almost two years. They will also include soundtracks and all manner of electronics products and licensed merchandise from other, yet unnamed, promotional partners.

The promotion will launch this summer, with momentum building up to the theatrical release in November and continuing through to the DVD release of the newest movie expected in the spring of 2003.

Blake Thomas, MGM exec VP of marketing, said the Lion looked to partner with Best Buy because of its attractive customer demographic -- pop culture-focused young adults, heavy users of all media, DVD buyers and, most important, Bond fans.

Date in print: Fri., Feb. 1, 2002

[Tyler]

Thursday January 31, 8:59 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Best Buy Co., Inc.

MGM Home Entertainment and Best Buy Join Forces for Unprecedented 007 Alliance
In Celebration of the Release of the 20th Film in the James Bond Film Series, Companies Launch Marketing Effort Surrounding Biggest Franchise in Film History

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2002-- MGM Home Entertainment (NYSE:MGM - news) and Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY - news) today announced a long-term strategic alliance to promote the most successful franchise in film history, James Bond. Beginning in 2002, North America's leading electronics retailer, Best Buy, will team up with the ultimate technology gadget guru, James Bond, to celebrate the impending release of the 20th film in the series on November 22, 2002.

Best Buy Co., Inc. stores, including Best Buy, Sam Goody, Media Play, Suncoast, On-Cue and Future Shop, will create special Bond-themed environments within the stores to provide one-stop-shopping for consumers and establish the retailer as a premiere Bond retailer. Merchandise will include Bond DVD box sets, soundtracks, the James Bond interactive product line, as well as licensed product and related merchandise from promotional partners. Best Buy will support the effort with a multi-faceted marketing campaign including advertising circulars featuring James Bond that will be distributed to 50 million consumers, a Bond-themed sweepstakes and a Best Buy ``Fun Zone'' technology truck outfitted as a mobile Bond activity center. In addition, Best Buy stores will host the exclusive retail launch of the Bond 20 trailer.

``As the premier retailer of technology and entertainment products, Best Buy was our first choice for an alliance in support of our biggest film property,'' said Blake Thomas, executive vice president of marketing - MGM Home Entertainment. ``The Best Buy management team is known for its marketing prowess, and we are thrilled to be working with them on a campaign celebrating the imminent release of the 20th film in the Bond Franchise.''

``The high-tech gadgets and all-out action found throughout the James Bond series perfectly fits the interests of our customers, especially when delivered on DVD,'' said Jeff Maynard, vice president of marketing services for Best Buy. ``The enduring popularity of the James Bond franchise and the marketing savvy of MGM sets the stage for an exceptionally successful retail campaign.''

About EON Productions

Eon Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced nineteen James Bond films since 1962. The Bond films make up the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Eon Productions and Danjaq, LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About MGM Home Entertaiment

MGM Home Entertainment controls the home video and DVD rights to the largest modern library of filmed entertainment in the world. The Company manages worldwide home video and DVD distribution rights to United Artists and current Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer theatrical releases, as well as titles from Orion, Goldwyn, and PolyGram libraries, totaling more than 4,100 films. For more information about MGM Home Entertainment, its products, and services, access MGM online at http://www.mgmhomevideo.com.

MGM Home Entertainment is now offering access to publicity artwork through a new image database website located at http://www.mgmhe-art.com. After initial registration, users may log in at any time and have access to downloadable, high-resolution images including DVD and VHS box and key art, title treatments and a wide variety of publicity stills. Artwork is available for all MGM titles that are currently in the marketplace.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY - news) is North America's number one specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. The Company operates retail stores and commercial web sites under the names: Best Buy (BestBuy.com), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca); Magnolia Hi-Fi (MagnoliaHiFi.com), Media Play (MediaPlay.com), On Cue (OnCue.com), Sam Goody (SamGoody.com), and Suncoast (Suncoast.com). The Company reaches consumers through more than 1,800 retail stores in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

http://biz.yahoo.com...1/312172_1.html

[Blue Eyes]

All sounds very good to me! How are Best Buy as a company? Hopefully they ship internationally from their website. That will give Bond fans the biggest advantage.