MarVista Inks Retail Deal for 16 Wishes

LOS ANGELES: MarVista Entertainment is teaming up with Borders to launch an exclusive line of consumer products that support the world premiere of 16 Wishes, which debuts on Disney Channel on June 25.

Borders is to serve as the exclusive retailer for all 16 Wishes merchandise, available in store starting June 25. A variety of products will be available in all Borders and Waldenbooks retail locations and online at Borders.com. Borders will dedicate featured space to merchandise the 13-item collection. Furthermore, some 200 stores will feature video monitors running the movie trailer and music video through the end of July.

MarVista and its agent, Art & Science, have signed a number of agreements for the launch of merchandise. Products include the 16 Wishes soundtrack, which will also be available on iTunes and is distributed under the MarVista Entertainment label by Brody Distribution Group. Other products include T-Shirts from Now & Zen Productions; calendars from Harry N. Abrams; necklaces and keychains from Gloria Duchin; bookmarks, journals and a 100-page junior novelization from Ink Media; posters from Aquarius; and bracelets from Jac Vanek, with a portion of the proceeds going to the hunger-relief organization RockCANRoll.

Border’s 16 Wishes initiative will kick off with an in-store appearance by Debby Ryan and Jean-Luc Bilodeau, stars of the movie, on June 19 in Los Angeles.

Additionally, MarVista signed a strategic in-store and online promotional partnership with Rita’s Italian Ice to promote the movie. Starting June 15, 16 Wishes movie flyers will be posted in all stores and the company will further support the launch with an email campaign as well as a Facebook and Twitter campaign.

“We are excited to have cemented our retail partnership with Borders Group, working together with gifted marketer Jodi Jackson to introduce the magic of 16 Wishes to teens and tweens across the country,” commented Michael D. Jacobs, the president of MarVista Entertainment. “This relationship, together with our extensive promotional partnership with Rita’s Italian Ice and combined marketing efforts, furthers our goals to ensure an enthusiastic following for 16 Wishes and the talented cast, including Debby Ryan and Jean-Luc Bilodeau.”

“We’re pleased to be the exclusive retailer for the 16 Wishes merchandise,” said Gary Bale, the senior VP of non-book for Borders. “Teens and tweens look to Borders to provide a variety of entertainment products, whether books, music, movies and other merchandise that speaks to their interests. The 16 Wishes merchandise, which only we offer, fits within our mission to be a place for entertainment and inspiration.”