11/4/2025 - Notes from "We're So Dead" Marketing Meeting...
Elise Riley
Hello team,
Thank you for another wonderful and productive marketing meeting — as always! There were some excellent ideas and insights shared during our discussion, so I’ve included the transcript below, along with a summary of action items at the end.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or additional input.
Also, the award ceremony for the films at RIFF will take place on Sunday morning, around 10:00 am.
Transcript:
Elise highlighted the importance of maximizing viewership during the Thanksgiving week and confirmed the streaming date as the 21st. Christine stated that pre-sales would start on the 7th and inquired about a link for ticket purchases. Ken noted that the streaming date could potentially be earlier, and the group discussed marketing strategies, including a small budget for promotional posts and engaging festival attendees through social media contests.
Ken MacLaughlin highlighted the importance of solidifying the coupon marketing strategy before contacting potential influencers. Michael Sokol proposed engaging restaurant groups on social media platforms to encourage viewers to become ambassadors for the film. Elise Riley added that film festivals could serve as a valuable opportunity to connect with influencers and boost audience engagement.
Elise Riley asked about the use of a screening link to garner more reviews for the film, and Michael Sokol confirmed it was still appropriate. The team discussed their content efforts at festivals, with Ken MacLaughlin mentioning recorded Q&A sessions and Christine working on editing soundbites. Elise also requested a comprehensive list of awards for the film "We're So Dead" to enhance their press materials.
Elise Riley is preparing to send information about the streaming event for "We're So Dead" to 20 reviewers and asked for promotional materials. Michael Sokol explained that the website will resemble major streaming services, providing an intuitive user experience for renting the movie. Ken MacLaughlin added that the site will feature engaging visuals to attract viewers.
Elise proposed a Thanksgiving promotion with a pricing structure starting at $9.99 for the first week, followed by a potential Black Friday discount of $7.99. Ken and Christine discussed the importance of marketing during this period, with Ken questioning the relevance of Cyber Monday in light of Black Friday's online dominance. Elise agreed, noting that many companies now promote Black Friday deals throughout the weekend.
The team discussed the potential for a partnership with the Giving Kitchen for Giving Tuesday, with Alex proposing a donation of $2.13 from rentals. Elise noted that Giving Tuesday is on December 2nd and highlighted the benefits of leveraging the Giving Kitchen's email newsletters for promotion. Ken expressed concerns about the financial implications of the partnership, suggesting they need to evaluate the benefits against the donation amount.
Michael Sokol discussed a coupon code initiative for influencers to promote fundraising, with Ken MacLaughlin agreeing on the importance of targeting Giving Tuesday. Alex Parkinson suggested creating a broader affiliate marketing campaign that would allow any influencer to sign up for a code, thus enabling organizations like Giving Kitchen to act as influencers. Ken noted that micro-influencers could be particularly effective, as discussed with Ersan.
Marketing Strategies and Engagement Ideas
Elise Riley discussed strategies for engaging audiences, including the idea of ambassadorships and soliciting reviews on social media. Elise Riley suggested a newsletter to promote streaming content, while Chris proposed adjusting the current contest to offer free movie rentals instead of t-shirts. Elise Riley contributed ideas for interactive watch parties and cocktail recipes to enhance viewer engagement. Ken suggested Bingo Cards.
Ken MacLaughlin shared thoughts on how to encapsulate the film's essence through messaging that reflects the humor and dynamics of working in a service station. Michael Sokol and Elise agreed on the need to convey that feeling in promotional content. Elise Riley highlighted the significance of keeping the audience engaged after watching the film, suggesting automated follow-up emails to encourage sharing, asking for reviews, and merchandise purchases.
Chris emphasized the importance of finalizing the newsletter content before the weekend, aiming for a Monday morning release. Michael confirmed that the pre-sale announcement would be included, and Elise asked if the timeline was realistic. Ken offered to assist with the email list for the newsletter.
Action items:
- Christine will post the pre-sale announcement today and direct people to the website for ticket purchases.
- Michael and Ken will discuss the creation of a different URL for the film's website.
- Christine will implement a budget of $50 for boosting social media posts related to the film's promotion.
- Christine will create a cocktail recipe carousel for the film's watch party and encourage social media tagging.
- Elise will send out a national press release for the film, emphasizing awards.
- Ken and Michael will follow up with Ersan regarding the coupon marketing strategy and finalize details.
- Ken will check with Ersan about the possibility of adding an opt-in box for the newsletter on the film's website when people purchase the film.
- Ken and Michael will draft a newsletter to discuss the streaming date and other promotional activities.
- Chris will finalize the list for the contest winner and ensure it is updated for the newsletter.