The Birds (Universal Pictures) (1963)

“THE BIRDS” KITE CONTEST Kites in the forms of birds are available from novelty manufacturers in New York and Los Angeles. Such an accessory has not been included in this press book because IT IS MUCH MORE PRACTICAL FOR KIDS THEMSELVES TO MAKE SUCH KITES THAN IT IS FOR THE EXHIBITOR TO UNDERWRITE THE BOTHER AND EXPENSE OF PROVIDING THEM. On this suggested basis . . contest with prizes for best BIRD KITES. Rule for the competition is that ALL KITES MUST BEAR THE TITLE "THE BIRDS" in large lettering. Kites might be launched from a public park. Group shots with a sky filled with kites bearing your title is top flight promotion, especially if . launch a sky-high you can get a news photog to cover the event. BIRD CAGES Along Your Street This one requires a contact with the Police Department or City Hall. If you can get permission to hang bird cages (with live birds, of course) along Main Street or the street on which your theatre is located, you will have a real solid stunt. Placards hang from each cage announcing "THE BIRDS is here . . . from ALFRED HITCHOCK . . . STRAND theatre!" This is a warm weather stunt, naturally. In cooler months and climes hang the birds in store windows . . . as many as possible. Merchants along your street should be receptive to your "'street of birds" since anything like this attracts the public eye and causes comment. BIRDS IN YOUR CASHIER'S HAIR! Your cashier herself can make it. Tell her to take some strands of woven straw or woven ribbon and sew on a row of 2 inch birds. (SEE ""COTTONSTUFFED BIRDS" at $1 per doz.) The garland of birdies is tied about her head. It's a gay and atmospheric touch for a special playdate . . . Order ushers badges from National Flag and Display Co., and attach one of the small birds to the top of each badge. These cute badges are for ADVANCE as well as current. HOW MANY BIRDS IN DRAWING! This mat can be used for a contest as a one shot deal in a newspaper or on herald or throwaways distributed, for example, at super-markets. Offer free ducats to the first limited group of customers bringing in correct solution. (There are |7 birds in the sketch). Order 2 col. EX. MAT NO. | from EXPLOITATION DEPT., UNIVERSAL PICTURES CO., 445 PARK AVE., NEW YORK 22, N.Y. mi —— ak ae \ The birds is coming! LUCKY BIRDS FROM THE SKY! On a given date the Lucky Birds drop from the sky. It's a direct and meaningful tie-in with your title and its been tried and proven with great success in the past. The approach is simple. All you do is attach small cutout paper or cardboard birds to gas balloons. Each bird is printed with a different serial number. The stunt is built up in advance with newspaper stories, an extra line at the bottom of your ads, a special copy trailer and a lobby announcement inviting everybody to participate. The balloons are released at intervals in front of your theatre or, in front of the newspaper if you tie in with the latter. They will stay in the sky until enough gas escapes and then they come down... all over the city. Those who recover them bring the birds back to newspaper or your lobby, where a list of lucky bird numbers is posted. Winners get merchandise prizes (perhaps from department store tied in with the stunt). If you can't get a newspaper tie-up go for cooperation from a supermarket or grocery chain. Stores give out throwaways announcing the stunt and lucky numbers are posted inside the stores. In this particular instance, investigate possibilities of including one or more supermarkets and a group of pet shops with tickets, groceries and birds as the prizes. The same cutout cardboard birds you use for this stunt can be strung around your front and lobby. HITCHCOCK CARTOON CONTEST Alfred Hitchcock has been caricatured by newspaper and magazine artists all over the world. From the familiar trade mark profile on TV to cartoons on drama pages of the press, the Hitchcock likeness has became a symbol of show business . . . the perfect symbol for a CARTOON CONTEST. Bear in mind, as you go along, that this drawing contest can be made a part of many promotions suggested in this press book. In any tie-in with a market chain, for example, you can liven up that tie-up by making this contest for amateur artists a part of it. Or you can launch it separately in your newspaper. The big idea of course, is PRIZES FOR THE BEST CARTOONS OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK, producer of "THE BIRDS". Illustrated herewith is a 3 column mat of typical Hitchcock cartoons. This art will dress up the opening story of your contest. Subsequent stories should include reproductions of local cartoons submitted. ORDER HITCHCOCK CARTOON MAT EX No. 2 FROM EXPLOITATION DEPT., UNIVERSAL PICTURES COMPANY, 445 PARK AVE., NEW YORK 22, N.Y. FOR THEATRES HAVING LARGE LOBBY SPACE OR MEZZANINE A BIRD SHOW ... on the mezzanine! You can make this a part of any cooperative tie-up with pet shops. The bird sellers will like it because it merchandises the product they sell. Do it right. Make it beautiful. Get florist cooperation and exhibit pots and tubs of flora as a setting in which to hang the bird cages. Get all participating shops to come in on a coop page ad. The sound of occasional chirping will pervade your theatre . .. a nice touch for this playdate! Final touch is the award of a door prize (announced at termination of your showing) of several pairs of love birds. Bear in mind the love birds as prizes in other contests as well, Page 34