Sci Fi channel signs up SFX for season sponsorship

by Sarah Woods Brand Republic 04-May-06, 11:00

LONDON - The Sci-Fi Channel has brokered a five-figure sponsorship deal with Future's sci-fi magazine SFX to promote a season of viewer-chosen movies, which will be shown on the first Friday of every month.

The First Friday movie season starts this Friday and viewers of the channel and readers of SFX, which this month features 'X-Men: The Last Stand' on its cover, will be able to vote online for a 10pm movie from titles such as 'Brazil', 'Weird Science', 'Evil Dead 2', 'The Exorcist' and 'Stargate'.

The sponsorship deal, which will run for one year, was negotiated by Melanie Hunt, Sci Fi marketing consultant, and Philippa Montgomery, group marketing manager at SFX publisher Future.

It will include branded intros, break bumps and all season promotions. All production has been done in-house at Sci Fi.

Elizabeth Sheard, head of brand solutions at Sci Fi, said: "SFX's sponsorship of Sci Fi's First Friday movie season is a unique way of owning and influencing the channel schedule on a set night every month and gives a little something back to both sets of loyal viewers and readers."

Montgomery said: "Viewers of the Sci Fi channel and readers of SFX are incredibly passionate about their love for sci-fi and fantasy, so this is the ultimate chance to choose their favourite movies in a truly interactive and innovative fashion."

The website for viewer voting is www.scififirstfriday.com, which will have dual branding.

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