Unprecedented marketing campaign responds to a nationwide crisis ... the
illiteracy of The Ten Commandments, through CGI Animation film, The Ten
Commandments, set to release nationwide through Promenade Pictures, October
19, 2007
Grassroots feature film campaign focuses on developing unique methods of
teaching children and families The Ten Commandments and the deeper meaning
of the story
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- How many of the Ten
Commandments can you name? That was the question posed in a recent survey
of 1,000 Americans, which revealed that respondents were more familiar with
the ingredients of a McDonald's(R) hamburger than they were with the
historical basis for our nation's legal and moral code.
Done in conjunction with the upcoming nationwide theatrical release
from Promenade Pictures of the animated feature film The Ten Commandments
on Oct. 19, the study was commissioned by the Ten Commandments Commission
and conducted by Kelton Research.
"Knowing and living the Ten Commandments empowers people and feeds
their souls, while knowing the contents of a famous hamburger, at most,
only feeds the stomach," said Dr. Ron Wexler, president of the Ten
Commandments Commission. "How empowered we would be as individuals and as a
culture if we knew and lived by, the very foundation of our moral and
ethical codes."
Dr. Ted Baehr, president of the Christian Film and Television
Commission and publisher of http://www.movieguide.org, adds that this is not just
about knowledge. "We see the negative impact in culture today as people
more and more consider these rules only 'Ten Suggestions,'" Dr. Baehr said.
"Crime is more rampant than ever, teenage pregnancies are on the rise,
dishonesty in business continues to make headlines. We are seeing the
results when society disregards these words from God."
The random survey showed that respondents could recall both the Big
Mac(R) ingredients and the members of the fictional TV series Brady Bunch
family more easily than they could name the Ten Commandments. Consider:
* 80 percent surveyed know "two all beef patties" of the Big Mac(R).
* "Thou shalt not kill," was known to fewer than six in ten respondents.
* 62 percent know that pickles are an ingredient of a McDonald's(R) Big
Mac(R) hamburger.
* Less than half (45 %) can recall the commandment to "Honor thy father
and mother."
* The vast majority of those surveyed could easily name the primary
ingredients in a Big Mac(R): two all beef patties (80%), lettuce (76%),
sesame seed bun (75%), special sauce (66%) pickles (62%), and cheese
(60%).
* Seven of the Ten Commandments are familiar to less than half of the
individuals polled, including the more commonly recited, "Honor thy
father and thy mother," and "Remember the Sabbath."
* Bobby and Peter, the least-recalled names from the Brady Bunch (43%),
were more familiar to respondents than the least-recalled commandments,
"Remember the Sabbath" (34 %) and "Do not make any false idols" (29 %).
* Even those who attend a place of worship at least once a week had a bit
of trouble naming all ten. "Thou shalt not kill" (70%) and "Thou shalt
not steal" (69%) are still less top-of-mind with this group than the
top two ingredients in a Big Mac(R) -- two all beef patties (79%) and
lettuce (76%).
Another dynamic of the studies done in connection with the film
includes an online video of "man on the street" interviews that also tested
the limited knowledge by individuals of the Ten Commandments against their
ability to easily recite many trivial cultural facts. Respondents had no
trouble recalling the four members of the classic rock group "The Beatles,"
but many times couldn't name even one commandment.
Promenade Pictures sees this as a critical time to release the feature
film, The Ten Commandments, starring the voice talent of Ben Kingsley as
narrator, Christian Slater (Moses), Alfred Molina (Ramses) and Elliott
Gould (voice of God).
"We selected The Ten Commandments as our first film in the 'Epic
Stories of the Bible' series because it is a pivotal story in the history
of the Bible and one that the three major religions on earth respect," said
Cindy Bond, president and COO of Promenade Pictures, producer and
distributor of the film. "We are delighted to work with Motive
Entertainment to use our film as a basis for the 'Ten Commandments
Challenge,' to help increase everyone's familiarity with this important
story."
The Ten Commandments Commission has teamed up with Promenade Pictures
and Motive Entertainment, to encourage public participation in the "Ten
Commandments Challenge" in conjunction with the theatrical release. The
extensive grass roots campaign for The Ten Commandments film release,
spearheaded by Motive Entertainment, will include nationwide screenings,
endorsements from key leaders, promotional materials, publicity, radio
promotions and Internet. Individuals and groups can visit
http://www.10commandmentschallenge.org to see how they measure up against the
national average and to download materials for their uses.
As a part of the "Ten Commandments Challenge" marketing campaign, an
unprecedented opportunity will be available to the media as well as to
leaders in the faith-based market, through a world-wide conference
call/press junket held via phone on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2. The call will be
moderated by Motive Entertainment and participants will be able to listen
in on interviews and submit e-mail questions to the film's key talent. The
call will also be taped for future uses and available as a podcast for a
period of time following the call. Talent available for interviews on the
call will include: Academy Award nominee, Elliott Gould ('God' in The Ten
Commandments film), Cindy Bond (president, COO, Promenade Pictures), Ed
Naha (Honey I Shrunk The Kids, The Ten Commandments film screenwriter),
Jeremy Camp (Christian artist, GMA 2005 Best Male Artist of the Year, wrote
and performed song "I Am Willing" for The Ten Commandments film) and Dr.
Roni Wexler (president, CEO of The Ten Commandments Commission), who will
conduct the interviews.
TO RSVP TO JOIN THE LEADER/PRESS JUNKET CALL, receive the call-in
number and all necessary info, please click on the following link:
http://register.gothamconference.com/rsvp/reg.aspx?eventid=100220072201711
Promenade Pictures is releasing "The Ten Commandments" in theaters
nationwide Oct. 19, as the first in its "Epic Stories of the Bible" 12-film
series. See http://www.10commandmentsmovie.com for more information.
Promenade Pictures was founded and is led by studio pioneer and
entertainment industry legend Frank Yablans, who serves as CEO. Cindy Bond,
who serves as President and COO of the company, oversees a team of veteran
media industry executives including Ron Booth, Charlie Gay and John
McAdams. Promenade Pictures has established itself as a full-service
production, distribution and marketing company specializing in the
distribution of theatrical motion pictures appropriate for the entire
family. The company has leveraged the expertise and relationships of its
principals and senior executive team to build a highly successful operation
that in just a few short years has emerged as one of the leading privately
held independent film and television companies focusing on the family
market.
Promenade continues to maintain its independence and aggressively
explore opportunities that will build upon the company's business mandate.
Further branding itself in the family arena, Promenade has already entered
into contracts and associations with many of the most recognized
moral-valued authors, filmmakers and brands. For more information, please
visit http://www.promenadepictures.com
Los Angeles based Motive Entertainment, which directed the grass roots
marketing campaigns for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, the Tom
Hanks/Robert Zemeckis film, The Polar Express and the record breaking
Walden Media/Disney epic series, The Chronicles of Narnia, will develop and
maintain extensive marketing for the film.
The Ten Commandments Commission is a coalition of churches, synagogues,
civic and community organizations dedicated to keeping America One Nation,
Under God. It was founded in 2005 by Dr. Ron Wexler, an Israeli-born
Orthodox Jew and Dr. Myles Monroe of Bahamas Faith Ministries
International. Their mission is to repair the damage caused by the landmark
Supreme Court decision in McCreary County, KY v. ACLU of Kentucky and other
similar legal cases that have removed the Word of God from our national
conscience.
Note to Editors: To attend a media screening of the film in a major US
city prior to Oct. 19, 2007, or for interview opportunities, please
contact:
Motive Entertainment
publicity dept.
Lesley Burbridge-Bates
615.321.6400
lesley@motivemarketing.biz
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