Paramount Around the World (1927)

Australia, New Zealand, Slam, S* S*, F*M[*S*, D«E*1* This is the cover of the first issue of “Paramount Service,” a new monthly publication issued by Famous Lasky Film Service Limited, the Paramount organization of Australia, New Zealand and territories in the Far East. It is published on the 15th of every month, and as the cover says, it is dedicated to Production News, Theatre Information, Exploitation, Advertising and Live Publicity. Its editor is Otto G. Doepel, who is also publicity manager. The publication runs to 8 pages, and there is a Paramount Pictorial insert of 2 pages. From cover to cover it is packed very completely and practically with everything proclaimed in its purpose. The inaugural issue contained messages from Messrs. Zukor, Lasky, Kent and Shauer, as well as a statement and an editorial expression of policy from Mr. Hicks. THE SIGN SHINES BRIGHT IN THE DARK BALKAN NIGHT This photograph is amply and inspiringly explained in the following letter which Mr. Shauer has received from Dr. N. Palugyay, Paramount representative in Roumania: “I :im jittaehing a photograph of the illuiiiiiiatiMl Paramount Trade Mark in front of the otKce of the Iniperator Film in Cluj, Roumania.. “Outside this oftiee the electric sign burns all night and announces in the dark Balkan night.s— ‘Paramount Around the World,’ while inside the ofiice the work is going on to make the Roumanian territory a one hundred per cent. Paramount. “Believe me please, as strong is my conviction in the magnifieenee of our pictures and about the greatness of our organization, as strong is my determination to stand and work at my post as a real and true Paramount Legionnaire, keeping your words and advice always in nilnil: and 1 pledge that this Trade Mark, just as the olil Romans pledged, shall be my ‘In hoc signo Vinces’.” PERSONALITIE OF THE BLUE RIBBON BUNCH Exploitation Manager Mel G. Lawton in Sydney put over a great campaign for “The Legion of the Condemned," which opened a long run at the Crystal Palace on November 3. Features of the campaign were: a newspaper contest, a huge balloon over the theatre, an enormous lot of Ad Sales and plenty of window displays. Exploitation Representative Reg H. Kelly in New Zeaiand spent five weeks in the South Island exploiting “Chang" at Invercargiil, and “Wings” Road Show No. 2 with Sound Effects in other centres. Harry Curry is one of Paramount’s new salesmen working out of Wellington, N. Z. He has had wide sales and executive experience in the film business in England. Ad Sales Manager L. B. Wilke in Adelaide, So. Australia, has been ill for several weeks, but we sincerely trust that he has completely recovered by now. Salesmen Jack Macaulay and George Nacked in New South Wales, are spending severai weeks on a fast tour of the country seliing “Wings.” Miss Elsie Craig, secretary to J. A. Sismith, Secretary-Treaurer, in the Sydney Head Office, was married on September 8 to Harry Cox, Editor of the Sunday Sun in Sydney. Miss Craig was one of the most popular Paramount girls in Australia. New systems of Head Ofiice Stock Control, daily despatch cards, standing order cards, branch stock cards and hired Ad Sales cards have been introduced into the Ad Sales Department of every liranch in Australia and New Zealand. William Blood of the Sydney branch, has been transferred from the Ad Sales Department to assistant to Booker Charles Hale, Murray Milholland has succeeded him as Sydney Ad Sales Matiager. District Manager C. E. Henderson of Melbourne spent six weeks in New Zeaiand on business recently. He is now in action on plans for the Greatest Year Contest for next year. John W. Hicks, Jnr., Managing Director of Paramount in Australia, New Zealand and the Par East, is also president of The American Society of Sydney. John E. Kennebeck. Paramount’s Sales Promotion Manager, is Secretary of the society. Two of the four complete “Wings” road show units and Sound Effects used in Australia and New Zealand have been shipped to the Par East for use in Singapore and Java when “Wings” is released there. Len Peuleve, assistant to Publicity Manager Otto G. Doepel in Sydney, has serialized several Paramount pictures for the metropolitan papers. He was promoted to his present position from the Ad Sales Department. Head Booker Smith in the Brisbane exchange has been promoted Excellent Effective Exemplary Exploitation IN BRISBANE The capital of Queensland, Australia, gave vimful and vigorous acclaim to “Wings.” Paramount s epic of the air had a marvelous exploitation campaign, one feature of which was this parading of an actual biplane through the mam streets. The picture drew magnificent business during its presentation at the Wintergarden and Valley theatres, and has since continued this success throughout the state. Exploiteer C. Pond was in charge of the unit as Paramount representative. OUT SINGAPORE WAY Singapore fell in line with the remainder of the world in acclaiming Paramount’s "Chang.” Here’s the Pavilion Theatre in the chief city of the Straits Settlements, with a striking outdoor display for the jungle — “Chang the Mighty.” It also carried two Paramount Trade Marks, each four feet high. AUSTRALIAN AD SALES PLAYING BIG PART The following extract from a letter written by John E. Kennebeck, sales promotion manager of the Australian organization, proves what a major part Ad Sales are playing in the Blue Ribbon Bunch’s progress in this “Greatest Year!” Contest : “Our Loyalty Drive is finishing up in great shape. We are paying close attention to Ad Sales in the final weeks in an effort to run the total up over (XX, XXX) an absolute record for the year. Our systems of interstate shipments. Head Office stock control, and the hiring of Ad Sales is having most effective results. For five straight weeks practically every branch has gone over quota.... We are now selling more Ad Sales and are minimizing our obsolete stocks.” to the sales force In Queensland .A.d Sales Manager Sapsford in Brisbane has .succeeded Mr. Smith. Roger Logan, former accountant in the Brisbane Branch, has Iteen promoted to Head Office Accountant to succeed B. O. Smith, resigned. PARAMOUNTEERS THREE. Mr. Hicks (in centre) with John A. Groves, general manager for the British and Dutch Far East (left); and Andre Olsen. special Paramount representative in Java. MR. HICKS IN JAVA. The names of the Paramounteers in this group, taken outside the Batavia office of Paramount are as follows: Back Row: A. E. Olsen, John A. Groves, H. N. Beer, Mikrat, Mahmoed. Middle Row: Dormani, Ikat, Moestari, Mr. Hicks, N. Y. Choong, Lim Tian, Snr. ; H. K. Hoen, Moestapah, Schandi, Amdja. Front Row: Jasin, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. L. Haccou, Mrs. J. A. Groves, J. Scholte. (The name of the man second from the end is missing.)