David Prosser's June Blog

Hello Exhibitors,

It's the first week of June and summer seems to have finally started at the weekend after a month of May that felt like winter.

It's a shame the film product wasn't quite as strong as expected in April as the weather was definitely with us.

There are still a lot of digital installations taking place and it feels all the more pleasing for those Exhibitors who have fought tooth and nail to raise the necessary funds to invest in digital projection. In the last month we saw Scarborough McCarthy go digital, as did Burleigh Ibbot at The Luxe Wisbech. We were also really pleased to hear about the installation at Ely Cinema taking place in July, a full seven months ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Raj Jayasingham at Alton Palace has just installed his second digital screen providing patrons with an all-digital site.

Massive applause for Martina O’Connor at Frome Westway who, following all her fundraising efforts, will go digital in the middle of June. Well done Martina! I also spoke with Penny Bicknell, at The Lymington Centre, who is now very optimistic about going digital this summer. And not to be outshone, Mark Barnes at Chesham Elgiva has informed me that they will be going digital by mid-August. At the time of writing too is news from the Guildhall at Gloucester which has received quotations and will be converting in the summer.

The digital revolution has allowed us Media Execs to offer real competition against all other media. It means we can retain all of our incredible intrinsic advantages as a medium, but now with the added advantage of immediacy and flexibility. Now all we need is the beloved economy to pick up and the marketing personnel to be sparked with optimism and begin spending against their brands and services. Let’s look for those green shoots!!

April admissions were disappointing at 11.8m but thank heaven for the massive January result which has allowed us to keep in touch with last year’s results. This means we are only just 3.3% down on the year so far with a total of 53.8m admissions.

Iron Man 3 and The Croods, backed up by Oblivion, provided the backbone for April.  However the success last year of the Avengers Assemble and Titanic 3D during the Easter hols assisted April 2012 to a figure of just above 15m admissions which we couldn't live up to this year.

I enjoyed Star Trek Into Darkness, which was nothing like I expected.  My favourite genre, Science Fiction, seems to be in vogue at the moment with the trailers I have viewed just recently looking very good. Let’s hope that this product converts into really strong admissions.

Sorry to end on a gloomy note but I have just heard of the very sad news on the passing of Gerry Parkes after a long fight against illness. I was so pleased he managed to receive his MBE before the end as this was such a wonderful tribute to Gerry for all his hard work and enthusiasm throughout his career.

He was a great man and character and will be sorely missed by everyone. We at DCM send our sincere condolences to Denise and Gerry's family. Be assured his legacy will never be forgotten.

My best wishes Exhibitors and here's hoping for some good business in the month to come.

David