IAR Bits and Bytes

AOL to Promote "Red Dragon" with "First View"

AOL Time Warner said it plans to release exclusive clips online from Universal's upcoming feature film, "Red Dragon," in the initial trial of its "First View" section.

The first clip will be showcased this week at AOL Keyword: First View and Moviefone.com; the second will follow in two weeks.

The effort aims for the two, never-before-seen clips to boost interest in the new Universal Pictures film, due for release Oct. 4, while also showcasing America Online's new "First View" area, which is targeted toward broadband users. The area also will be available on AOL's Netscape and CompuServe Web properties.

The design of "First View" is modeled on the success of AOL's Music areas and properties, which serve as a hub for marketing album releases -- such as the new Elvis releases -- and televised music specials.

Starting this week, additional movie features will be added to AOL Keyword: Red Dragon, including the trailer, photos, message boards, polls, links to the official movie site and the chance to submit a question for actor Anthony Hopkins and other cast members of "Red Dragon."


McDonalds, ABC.com in Promo Deal

McDonalds Corp. will continue its longstanding advertising relationship with Disney and its ABC Television unit, through a new marketing promotion that will tout the network's evening "Happy Hour" primetime.

A sweepstakes promoting the network's primetime shows will be highlighted in on-air ads and at McDonalds restaurants. To enter the sweepstakes, consumers must answer a quiz at ABC.com or in stores. Prizes include signature items seen on "Happy Hour" shows, such as "The Drew Carey Show" and "According to Jim."

The promotion will run through Oct. 7. Spending was not disclosed.


Brilliant Digital: One Billion Served

Los Angeles-based rich media ad firm Brilliant Digital said it's served more than a billion rich media ads to date.

The seven-year-old company also unveiled the new version of its rich media player, the b3d Projector. The new version, b3d Projector 3200, includes new browser and full-screen desktop animation overlay modes, transparency and anti-aliasing. It also includes new automatic scalability features that allows animations to scale to match PCs' capabilities.