PolyGram Video is currently promoting the home video releases of Elizabeth, Very Bad Things and Orgazmo using a contest that will award more than $70,000 in prizes, many of which are consumer electronics products.
Polygram is explaining the program and promoting each of the films with a specially prepared CD-ROM. The disc offers contest details and trailers for each of the titles.
Polygram says that its Outrageous Contest marks the first time home video releases and a dealer-directed promotion have been advertised using the CD-ROM format.
Prizes include: 25 Philips DVD players valued at $499; 50 Pioneer 12-disc CD car changers valued at $350; 75 Philips TV/VCR combos valued at $300; 100 Philips CD changer valued at $125; and 50 Philips cassette boomboxes valued at $25.
Dealers are instructed to send entries to Polygram via regular mail or e-mail (outrageous@polygramvideo.com) by May 3.
The contest focuses on three priced-for-rental VHS videos, two of which have DVD release dates.
Elizabeth, which stars Academy Award nominee Cate Blanchett, with Geoffry Rush and Joseph Fiennes will street on April 27 in VHS. A special edition with added information on the making of the film will be issued in DVD format May 25 at a $34.95 suggested retail price.
Very Bad Things, the black comedy featuring Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz, will street as a priced-for-rental VHS title on April 27 and as a sell-through DVD on May 18. The DVD will carry a $29.95 suggested retail.
Orgazmo is a new comedy from Trey Parker, the co-creator of the cable-TV cartoon hit South Park. The priced-for-rental VHS tape will appear April 27. Plans for the DVD release have not been issued.