EXCLUSIVE Here’s a first: Matthew McConaughey‘s new movie, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” is being offered at $6 a ticket for opening weekend through Groupon. Yes, that’s right. To stimulate box office, Lions Gate–the same company that can’t seem to make a deal to bring “Mad Men” back to TV– is deep discounting a major release. This is done all the time in the record business–labels deep discount new releases to get them to Number 1 on the charts. It’s just not happened before with a major studio movie.
In a press release, Lions Gate is all excited about this: “We are always looking for ways to reach our consumers with targeted, cost-effective and innovative campaigns,” said Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns. “Groupon is one of the most dynamic young companies in the world today, and their emergence as a digital commerce pioneer made them the perfect online partner for Lionsgate and THE LINCOLN LAWYER. We believe this agreement is the shape of things to come as Hollywood studios discover a natural alliance with smart, entrepreneurial digital partners in bringing our content to consumers with cutting edge promotional campaigns that harness the unprecedented reach of the online world. We’re delighted that our LINCOLN LAWYER partner, Tom Rosenberg at Lakeshore, shared our vision in helping us create this historic first.”
Tickets are on sale through Groupon the rest of today and all of tomorrow. “The Lincoln Lawyer” opens Friday. It does mean that in many places, “TLL” will sell at half price. Will that make people see it? Wait til Saturday morning for the results.
PS It’s two to a customer!
