“Wild Things” Hit the Streets of New York City
New York City this week is running its largest film partnership to date with Warner Brothers Pictures around the launch of the film “Where the Wild Things Are.”
NYC & Company, the city’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is staging a slew of activities around the Big Apple, including entertainment events, exhibits, celebrity appearances and what it calls “wild” festivities.
Yesterday two streets in Greenwich Village were proclaimed “Wild Things Way” and “Maurice Sendak Way.” The streets are close to the location where the author of “Where the Wild Things Are,” Brooklynite Maurice Sendak, penned the book. Also yesterday, HBO aired a new documentary about Sendak. An exhibit of rarely seen artwork by Sendak will be held at the Morgan Library and Museum and attended by Sendak.
Kodak set up a photo booth at the New York Public Library and the Official New York Information Center, where kids can have their pictures superimposed with Wild Things characters.
The film, which opens nationwide Oct. 16, tells the tale of Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper who creates his own world—a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
Some of the film’s cast members will make an appearance at the library to read from the book, including Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener and the film’s star Max Records (who plays Max).
A retrospective of and lecture by Wild Things director Spike Jonze is taking place at the Museum of Modern Art.
Restaurants, hotels and retailers who are NYC & Company members will offer themed packages and activity booklets for kids. Promotions driven by Warner Brothers, include Urban Outfitters special movie-themed apparel, Ugg Wild Thing footwear, and promotions by Ben & Jerry’s and Borders Books.
Social elements, including twitter and Facebook, as well as the NYC & Co. Web site are supporting all the activities as are posters hung around the city.
NYC & Company has conducted other promotions around highly anticipated films, including work with Sony Pictures in the run up to “Spiderman 3.”
