MediaMonks fast-tracks growth in Asia-Pacific with three major hires, accounting for more than 35 years of experience combined. Former W+K head of production Sanne Drogtrop joins MediaMonks in the same capacity, overseeing production for all of China. In turn, MediaMonks adds Tobias Wilson, former APD Singapore CEO, as VP of growth APAC, and business director Erick Alonso in Singapore. MediaMonks’ integrated model is proving successful with local and global clients; recently signed on clients include P&G SK-II, Shiseido, Mead Johnson Nutrition RB (Reckitt Benckiser), Marriott and Resorts World Sentosa. MediaMonks, as part of S4Capital, aims to solve brands’ business challenges by integrating data, media and creative content production to deliver digital campaigns faster, better and for less money than brands are used to from traditional partners…..
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” Tops Weekend Box Office
In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures' "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" sped past the Walt Disney Co.'s "Mufasa: The Lion King" to take the top spot at the box office ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters.
"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates. With strong reviews (86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and a high score from audiences (an "A" on CinemaScore), "Sonic 3" is well positioned to be the top choice in cinemas during the busiest moviegoing period of the year.
It was telling of some wider trends that "Sonic 3" — made for $122 million — bested one of Disney's top properties. Videogame adaptations, once among the most derided movie genres, have emerged as one of the most dependable box office forces in recent years. The two previous "Sonic" movies together grossed more $700 million worldwide and the third installment appears likely to do better than both of them. A fourth "Sonic" movie is already in development.
"Mufasa," however, was humbled in its opening weekend, with its $35 million in domestic ticket sales coming in notably shy of expectations . The photorealistic "Lion King" prequel even opened wider than "Sonic 3," launching on 4,100 theaters and gobbling up most IMAX screens, compared with 3,761 locations for "Sonic 3."
Though "Mufasa's" reviews were poor (56% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences gave it an "A-" CinemaScore.
"Sonic 3" nearly doubled the haul for "Mufasa," which cost more than $200 million to make. Disney could look to $87.2 million in international sales to help make up the difference. The third "Sonic" will rollout in most overseas markets in the coming weeks.
In director Jeff... Read More