Bumble Ward Takes Top Film Publicity Publish at Fox

Bumble Ward continues to be named executive v . p . of publicity at twentieth century Fox, and arrives about the studio lot August. 30. She'll report straight to Fox leader of domestic theatrical marketing and chief marketing officer Oren Aviv and leader of domestic theatrical marketing and chief creative officer Tony Sella. Ward will result in every aspect of publicity campaigns for Fox films in The United States. She formerly went her very own pr, marketing and communications firm, Bumble Ward & Affiliates. The business's client roster incorporated Quentin Tarantino, Tim Burton, Sofia Coppola, Tony Scott, Paul Thomas Anderson, DNA Galleries, Freemantle Media and USC School of Cinema and tv. Ward closed her firm in 2005 to pursue her longtime interests on paper and social networking marketing. She also released your blog (MissWhistle.com), a mixture of film, politics, art, books, photography and private memoir. "Bumble has lengthy been among the industry's respected publicity professionals and in the last many years she has turned into a top social networking marketing specialist," Aviv and Sella stated. Her insightful experience of both traditional and leading edge approaches brings a thrilling new dynamic to the publicity team, once we still innovate and evolve to increase the possibilities presented through the quickly-altering media landscape," they ongoing. Just before starting Bumble Ward & Affiliates, Ward was a professional at boutique PR firms, Clein + Whitened Pr and Marketing, Dennis Davidson & Affiliates, Andrea Jaffe & Affiliates, and Clein + Feldman. Fox includes a busy fall and winter calendar, such as the Large Year on March 14., Over Time on March. 28, Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked on 12 ,. 16 and Cameron Crowe's We Purchased a Zoo on 12 ,. 23. Related Subjects Oren Aviv Hirings-firings twentieth century Fox Film Tony Sella We Purchased a Zoo

AEG bows Axs ticketing venture

AEG formally steps in to the ticketing fray now using the initial rollout of Axs.com, a ducat service where the venue and concert promotion giant is joined with Outbox Technologies. So-known as "whitened label," venue-based, online-driven sales strategy will aim to have a bite from competitor Ticketmaster's centralized approach. The partnership with Outbox "provides technology that provides us versatility to market, market and package in several various ways,Inch stated AEG senior Vice president of digital Todd Sim cards. "We are searching at creating digital and mobile platforms that leverage our assets." Proprietary online sales will start at Axs.com with several forthcoming shows at two AEG venues, Denver's Ogden Theater and Bluebird Theater. Dates goes on purchase this Saturday. Tickets is going to be offered under both Axs and venue brands. "The customer can transact having a venue brand, feel and look," Sim cards stated. "There's lots of brand loyalty with particular venues." Service is going to be introduced at San Francisco's Warfield and Regency Ballroom later this season and can expand with other U.S. and worldwide marketplaces and purchasers at bigger venues, and AEG sports franchises, through 2012. Particularly addressing frequently voiced consumer gripes about Ticketmaster's service, Axs can have the entire ticket cost and avoid home-printing costs. Availabilities is going to be up-to-date instantly about the Axs website. Customers will have the ability to go for mail, will-call or eticket delivery. Fans may also share ticketing info with buddies on Facebook. AEG will establish Axs-top quality mobile ticketing services this season along with a video content service due the coming year. Earlier this year, AEG hired Bryan Perez, formerly topper at Live Nation's digital division, as leader of digital, ticketing and media. This past year, an antitrust settlement using the Justice Dept. that setup approval from the Ticketmaster-Live Nation Entertainment merger contained a proviso just for this kind of competitive venture (Daily Variety, Jan. 26, 2010). Settlement-mandated certification of Ticketmaster's ticketing software to AEG is made moot using the establishment of Axs. Sim cards stated the transition in the Ticketmaster platform to Axs is going to be completed on the market-by-market and venue-by-venue basis within the next 18 several weeks. AEG was Ticketmaster's No. 1 client this year, comprising $55 million operating costs, based on the Wall Street Journal. Montreal-based Outbox, headed by former Ticketmaster Boss Fred Rosen, introduced its intends to launch a ticketing service with AEG this past year (Daily Variety, March. 10). AEG's venues include L.A.'s Staples Center, Nokia Theater and Club Nokia, New York's Best To Buy Theater and London's O2 Arena. Company's Goldenvoice division mounts the annual Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

It Is All About Katie: ABC Names Couric's New Talk Show

Katie Couric Are you able to you know what Katie Couric's new ABC talk show is known as? Couric's syndicated talker only will be known as Katie, TVNewser reviews. Disney/ABC can also be apparently vetting the web site world wide web.TalkToKatie.com like a hub for social networking and viewer interaction. When are you able to next catch Katie Couric on television, online or when needed? Add her for your Watchlist and you will know without a doubt In May, Couric introduced that whenever working 5 years behind the desk of CBS Evening News, she was departing. Couric then signed a multiyear cope with Disney/ABC to host and convey her very own syndicated talk show, that will reunite her with Shaun Zucker, who offered as executive producer on Today when she co-moored the show. Katie is slated to premiere within the 3 p.m. slot about the eight ABC-possessed affiliate marketers in September 2012.

Weinsteins Eye Their Own Broadway Productions

NEW YORK - Harvey and Bob Weinstein are looking to line up financing partners for a slate of original Broadway productions based on their past movies, a source confirmed Monday. The movie moguls are eyeing eight to 10 productions for now, with Chocolat and Cinema Paradiso among the likely films that will get the Broadway treatment. Mark Patricof's Mesa Global, a boutique investment advisory firm, is spearheading the Weinsteins' effort to line up money and structure partnerships. The news was first reported by the New York Post. The Weinsteins have in the past at times invested in others' stage shows, but now they plan to do their own productions. "It's an expansion of the existing Weinstein Live Entertainment," Weinstein Co. COO David Glasser, who is working on the project with David Hutkin, executive vp of strategic initiatives, investments and the banking group, told the Post. "Instead of investing in other shows, it's about original shows out of our shop." The Weinsteins are already in production on the musical Finding Neverland, based on the Miramax movie about Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, according to the Post. A planned tryout in California was recently cancelled because the company felt the stage production isn't ready yet, it said. Related Topics Harvey Weinstein Bob Weinstein The Weinstein Company

'Star Wars' Blu-Ray Trailer: Six Movies, One Collection

A very long time ago inside a universe far, far, it appeared such as the complete "The Exorcist" collection would not reach Blu-Ray. Fortunately that point has since passed, so we are adorned having a sweet new trailer for that Blu-Ray collection. Are you currently craving a proper dose of "The Exorcist"? Then you are fortunate, since the Blu-Ray is jam-full of over 40 hrs of special features which includes a lot of items you haven't seen before. George Lucas may have made his fans wait way too lengthy with this collection, but a minimum of he's delivering the products now. But despite how thrilled I'm about all of the special features within this set, I am more searching toward seeing how great the "The Exorcist" movies try looking in hd. A clip mostly teases the special content instead of the films themselves, however it does not make a difference. It is the films which have maintained the recognition in the last 40 years and they are what we should fans are having to pay the a lot of money to possess within our video collections (again). If you're a sucker for those that behind-the-moments material, though, a clip implies that there's likely to be considerable time spent searching at the way the "The Exorcist" movies were made. The CGI both in the initial and also the new trilogies play a large role within the films, so it will likely be interesting to obtain a more in-depth see that content. And, obviously, you need to get excited for that commitment of "never-before-seen footage." Have you been thinking about obtaining the "The Exorcist" Blu-Ray collection if this hits stores September 12? Tell us within the comments section below or on Twitter!

'Brother,' 'Dance' top Thursday

CBS' ''Big Brother'' and also the finale of Fox's ''So You Believe You Are Able To Dance'' were the very best demo draws on Thursday, a evening which preliminary amounts, most particularly on CBS and ABC, might be inflated because of pre-emptions for National football league preseason games in local marketplaces.The Attention internet, which seems to possess won for that evening in grown ups 18-49 in addition to total audiences, opened up with repeats of ''The Large Bang Theory'' (2.2 rating/8 be part of grown ups 18-49, 7.8 million audiences overall) and ''Rules of Engagement'' (2.1/7 in 18-49, 7.two million audiences overall) before surging at 9 o'clock with ''Big Brother'' (3.2/9 in 18-49, 8.six million audiences overall), which hit a season high called the night's top-ranked program. While Thursday's episode of ''Brother'' contained the reveal of the key twist in the overall game, its amounts are required in the future lower within the excellent because of football. Also above average was the ten o'clock repeat of ''The Mentalist'' (1.6/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million audiences overall).CBS had a few significant National football league pre-emptions/delays, in Dallas for that Cowboys as well as in Boston for that Patriots.At Fox, both-hour finale of ''So You Believe You Are Able To Dance'' averaged an initial 2.1/7 in 18-49 and 6.3 million audiences overall from eight to ten p.m., up nicely from last week's hourlong results show. When excellent are released this mid-day, Fox could finish because the night's No. 1 network in grown ups 18-49, which may extend its winning streak to four now.Mastening numbers was on componen at 8 o'clock with ''Wipeout'' (1.9/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million audiences overall) after which up a little from 9 to 11 p.m. with ''Expedition Impossible'' (1.6/4 in 18-49, 5.two million audiences overall) and ''Rookie Blue'' (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.a million audiences overall).The Alphabet's Philadelphia station preempted its entertainment series in primetime for that Eagles' preseason opener.And NBC continued to be a non-factor with encores of ''Community'' (.7/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million audiences overall), ''Parks and Recreation'' (.9/3 in 18-49, 2.7 million audiences overall), ''The Office'' (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.a million audiences overall), ''30 Rock'' (1./3 in 18-49, 2.7 million audiences overall) and ''Law and Order: SVU'' (1./3 in 18-49, 3.7 million audiences overall).Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: CBS, 2.3/7 Fox, 2.1/7 ABC, 1.6/5 Univision, 1.3/4 NBC, 1./3 CW, .4/1.As a whole audiences: CBS, 7.7 million Fox, 6.3 million ABC, 5.six million NBC, 3.a million Univision, 3. million CW, 1.a million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

Rooney Mara Totally Fine With Topless Dragon Tattoo Poster

Back in June, Sony released a controversial teaser poster for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo that featured a topless Rooney Mara and her exposed nipple ring. “I’ve already started to read posts about how hot Rooney [Mara] is with her nipple ring on full display. That’s enough to start my blood boiling,” wrote Women in Hollywood’s Melissa Silverstein in the wonderfully titled post The Pornification of Lisbeth Salander. “Lisbeth [Salander] is not supposed to be hot. That’s one of the reasons why we love her so much.” Responding to the general discontent for the first time, Mara doesn’t necessarily agree. “I was supportive of [the poster],” she told EW. “I understand why there was a lot of controversy. People have a hard time with strong females and with nudity. But I think had I been doing something incredibly violent on the poster, people wouldn’t have had a problem with it. That sort of says a lot about the world that we live in. It’s just a teaser poster. I think it did just that. It teased people.” Speaking of teasing, it seems that Mara had to go through quite a ringer to get David Fincher to cast her in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: two months of meetings and rehearsals, all which culminated in an ultimatum. “David sat me down and gave me this long speech about the part. Then he handed me his iPad, and it had the press release on it. He said, ‘I’m prepared to send this out. You have half an hour to let me know if you want the part.’” Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. Sent from my iPad. · ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ star Rooney Mara talks about the rape scene, the NSFW poster, and more [EW]

VIDEO: Law & Order: SVU's Diane Neal Says Season 13 Has a Nitty-Gritty Feel

Diane Neal, Law & Order: SVU When Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns, the show will hark back to earlier seasons, Diane Neal says. "It's back on track to what the original SVU was intended to be, which is about sex crimes and crimes against children," Neal says. "It's got more of a nitty-gritty feel." NBC boss: SVU's Hargitay will remain in "every episode" Neal, who plays ADA Casey Novak, left the series after Season 9, but returned for one episode last year and will be back for more in the upcoming Season 13. She says having her and Stephanie March (Alex Cabot) back provides a familiarity for viewers now that original cast member Chris Meloni is gone. "I think they should put us in the court room together!" she says about March. Law & Order alum Linus Roache to reprise role on SVU In the interview below, Neal talks about the on-set vibe with the new detectives played by Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish and why she hopes Novak will never change. The new season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premieres Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10/9c on NBC.

The Dark Knight Rises Production to Fill Pittsburgh with Gunshots

Citizens of Pittsburgh, your local authorities have a message for you: If you hear gunshots, carnage, or superhero antics in your streets this weekend, do not assume that it’s because The Dark Knight Rises is filming. According to a report, Pittsburgh police want the city’s residents to dial 911 any time a mysterious noise disturbs them — even if it’s clearly just Christian Bale hollering about craft services and commanding Anne Hathaway to step away from his finger sandwich. The authorities have Pittsburgh’s best interest in mind, but still — I hope they aren’t deluged with reports of a rowdy thug who keeps claiming to be through with batsuits professionally. [WTAE via Vulture]

Kenneth Branagh Heads To Guernsey

And Thor 2 may have found a director.... Now that he's decided to skip the chance to direct the Thor follow-up, Kenneth Branagh is a man looking for a new helming assignment. Well, if Fox 2000 has its way, he'll take up the megaphone for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It sounds about as far away from the adventures of Asgard as you can get (we wonder if the rainbow bridge can reach Guernsey), but it sounds like a change of pace for Branagh after tackling a superhero saga. Dan Roos wrote the script, adapted from Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer's bestseller, which follows a blossoming letter relationship between a writer in London and a resident of the island who relates the tale of the titular society, one used as a cover to help its members undermine the German occupation during World War Two. But switching back to Branagh's previous gig for a moment... It looks like Marvel and Disney might have found someone to take over the reins for Thor and co, as Brian Kirk is now in early talks. Kirk's name might not exactly be well known in film circles, but he's carved out a solid reputation as a TV director on both sides of the pond. As well as episodes of shows such as Luther, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire and Funland, he's also been winning praise for being part of the Game of Thrones team. Oh, and he has the Beeb's Great Expectations next on his to-do list having just finished cranking out shows for Deadwood creator David Milch's new horse racing series Luck. You can see why working on Game of Thrones might leapfrog him to the top of the list... Wonder if they can find a role for Peter Dinklage in the sequel?With Chris Hemsworth and the gang set to return, the movie already has a release date of July 26, 2013...

Graham King, The Actor-brad Pitt enter 'Vault'

KingDeppGraham King and The Actor-brad Pitt are considering "The Vault," obtaining feature privileges to Image's three-part graphic novel by Mike Sarkar, author of "Quality." Reps for King's GK Films confirmed the offer Thursday. Image released the very first problem, highlighted by Garrie Gastonny, two days ago at Comic-Disadvantage. "The Vault" is really a sci-fi thriller in regards to a team of treasure predators from the coast of Nova Scotia who uncover a mysterious sarcophagus and release an evil they never understood been around. Producers are King and GK Films co-chief Tim Headington, Depp and Christi Dembrowski, leader of Depp's production shingle Infinitum Nihil. GK Films and Infinitum Nihil joined on "The Rum Diary," which stars Depp and it is going to be out in October. Four-year-old GK Films is developing "Spartacus" like a feature, with different pitch from "300" author Michael B. Gordon. It's in publish-production on "Hugo," directed by Martin Scorsese "Within The Land of Bloodstream and Honey," written and directed by Julia Roberts and it is developing the screen adaptation of "Jersey Boys," the untitled Freddie Mercury story, a reboot of "Tomb Raider" and "Dark Shadows" for Warners. Sarkar is repped by CAA and Nicole Romano in the Schiff Company. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

VIDEO: The Bachelorette's Ashley and J.P. Share a Moment From the Proposal Viewers Didn't See

Ashley Hebert and J.P. It may have looked like a perfect proposal on the finale of The Bachelorette, but the newly engaged couple admits that there's a moment viewers didn't see. "I went through this whole long speech and I thought it went really well and when it was her turn to speak ... I don't know what came out [of her mouth]. It made no sense," J.P. tells TVGuide.com. "It was really adorable." Ashley adds, "I'll be sure nobody ever sees that!" Bachelorette's Chris Harrison on Ashley's choice: It was J.P. all along Although Ashley and J.P. have kept their relationship a secret since they finished filming, they spent many weekends together in solitary confinement learning each other's quirks. "I now know she's completely ADD ... it's hard to keep up with, but it's what I love about her," J.P. says. "Her little idiosyncrasies are what make her special." See photos from The Bachelorette In the interviews below, Ashley and J.P. share what makes them a solid couple and what they can't wait to do now that they're out in the open. Plus: Ashley explains her obsession with butt-grabbing.

'Millionaire Matchmaker' Patti Stanger Inks Two Year Development Deal at Bravo

Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger is taking her relationship with Bravo to the next level.our editor recommends'Millionaire Matchmaker' calls off wedding The NBCUniversal-owned network announced Tuesday that it has inked a two-year development deal with the star and executive producer. Stanger will be tasked with finding new talent as well creating, developing and potentially starring in the new series for the female-skewing cable network. "With Patti's over-the-top personality and savvy business sense, Bravo could not have found a better development partner to execute our vision and who understands our audience," said Bravo's VP of Development for Bravo Eli Lehrer. Added Stanger, "My relationship with Bravo is a match made in heaven. The network's reputation for delivering high-quality, buzz-worthy programming made it an easy decision to extend our business together and include this creative deal. As I say to my clients, 'no sex before monogamy.' Now that Bravo and I are monogamous, I'm ready to hit the sheets." The news comes after the fourth season of The Millionaire Matchmaker garnered its highest ratings yet, averaging 1.9 million total viewers and 1.3 million in the coveted 18 to 49 demo. The season finale delivered a record 2.6 million, according to The Nielsen Co. Stanger's relationship series will return for a fifth season on August 15th. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Topics Bravo