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| Wireless Courtesy: Now Starring at a Theatre Near You |
Cingular Wireless and Loews Cineplex Partner to Promote Sensible and Courteous
Use of Wireless Devices in Movie Theatres
ATLANTA and NEW YORK, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Lights, camera, silence.
Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless carrier, and Loews
Cineplex Entertainment, one of the largest theatre exhibition companies in the
country, today announced a partnership to educate movie-goers about courteous
ways to use wireless devices in theatres.
For the first time in theaters, movie-goers will have the opportunity to
learn more about wireless courtesy as Cingular brings its nationwide courtesy
and safety campaign, Be Sensible, into more than 160 Loews theatres across the
country. To encourage wireless courtesy in the theatres, Cingular has
produced a 15-second on-screen movie trailer that will run before each feature
presentation on 1,500 screens. In addition, Cingular Wireless "Courtesy
Zones" have been placed in the lobbies of 100 participating Loews Cineplex
Theatres, providing patrons with a designated area to take and place calls
while at the theatre. The awareness program also includes Be Sensible
messaging on ticket stubs, an on-screen slide for the pre-movie slide rotation
and Be Sensible box office window clings reminding customers to turn their
wireless devices to silent or vibrate once inside the theatre.
"Cingular is excited to partner with Loews Cineplex to spread the Be
Sensible wireless courtesy message to movie-goers nationwide," said Cingular
Chief Marketing Officer Virginia Vann. "This program is a natural extension
of individuals' rights to express themselves, without interrupting or being
interrupted by the person next to them. That's why Cingular is reminding all
wireless users and theatre patrons to take the time to Be Sensible."
In a nationwide survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC),
movie theatres were the second most annoying public place to hear a ringing
wireless phone, second only to houses of worship.
"We are thrilled to partner with Cingular, as we are committed to
providing our customers with the greatest comfort and convenience," said
Michael P. Norris, Executive Vice President for Loews Cineplex Entertainment.
"Loews has always been passionate about providing the world's best movie-going
experience through state-of-the-art technology, promotions, customer service
and amenities. We feel that courtesy zones and friendly reminders will
reinforce theatre etiquette, as well as provide theatre-goers with another
reason to choose Loews."
Also passionate about wireless courtesy in theatres, Leonard Maltin,
resident film critic for Entertainment Tonight and co-host of the new
syndicated movie-review show, Hot Ticket, will be the program's ambassador.
"This program addresses one of my pet peeves as a movie-goer," said
Maltin. "I'm happy that Cingular is asking people to Be Sensible, so all of
us who love going to the movies can enjoy the experience without being
distracted by voices in the dark."
In addition to Loews Cineplex Theatres, the year-long agreement includes
Magic Johnson Theatres and Star Theatres.
Just in time for the holiday movie season, the movie trailer and
supporting materials will be in theatres beginning on Friday, November 16.
Enjoy the show!
ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless is the second largest wireless carrier in the U.S., and
is dedicated to self-expression and customer-friendly service. As a leader in
mobile voice and data communications, Cingular, a joint venture between SBC
Communications and BellSouth, currently serves more than 21.3 million
customers nationwide. Cingular offers customers advanced technologies in
simple, cost-effective ways that permit them to tap the creative potential of
wireless through their own self-expression. Details of the company are
available at http://www.cingular.com .
ABOUT LOEWS
Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation is one of the world's largest
theatre exhibition companies in terms of revenues and operating cash flow,
with 2,475 screens in 277 locations primarily in major cities throughout the
United States, Canada and Europe. Loews Cineplex divisions include Loews
Cineplex United States, Cineplex Odeon Canada and Loews Cineplex
International. Loews Cineplex operates theatres under the Loews and Cineplex
Odeon names. In addition, the Company is a partner in Magic Johnson Theatres,
Star Theatres, Yelmo Cineplex de Espana and Megabox. Tickets and show times
for shows at the majority of Loews Cineplex theatres in the US are available
in advance online at http://www.fandango.com .
SOURCE Cingular Wireless
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CONTACT:
Peter Nilsson of Cingular Wireless,
+1-404-236-6310, or peter.nilsson@cingular.com , or D.L. Blackman
& Co. for Loews Cineplex, +1-212-989-3646, or dlblackman@aol.com
