NEW YORK, Dec. 16 -- Miramax Films and McDonald's are proud to announce a promotional partnership celebrating the December 25th release of Miramax Films new live- action family adventure, "Pinocchio," directed by two-time Academy Award(TM) winner Roberto Benigni ("Life is Beautiful"). The Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal promotion will include six different bendable characters that are based on characters in the film. The Pinocchio promotion, which will run from December 20th through January 9th, will also include significant television media support from McDonald's.
The McDonald's-Miramax "Pinocchio" promotion includes: Pinocchio Bendable Characters - The McDonald's Pinocchio Happy Meal® and Mighty Kids Meal(TM) toys will feature the characters from the film including Pinocchio, Gepetto, The Blue Fairy, The Cat, The Cricket, and Medoro. These bendable characters are available at participating McDonald's, while supplies last.
"After enjoying great success with McDonald's on our 'Spy Kids' promotion, we are thrilled to be working with them again on 'Pinocchio,'" said Lori Sale, Miramax svp of worldwide promotions. "Quite simply, nobody knows families and promotions better than McDonald's."
"The holidays are a magical time for our McDonald's customers and we are very excited to team up with the magic makers at Miramax to bring the story of Pinocchio to life in our Happy Meal," said Kent Voetberg, Director of Marketing, McDonald's USA. "To celebrate the event we'll offer six bendable Pinocchio figures that are fun to collect and offer our youngest customers a fun way to use their imaginations."
This holiday season, the extraordinary adventures and comical predicaments of the world's most mischievous boy come to life in "Pinocchio," directed by two-time Academy Award-winner Roberto Benigni. Combined with Benigni's trademark humor and fantastical special effects, the result is a magical entertainment sure to enchant children of all ages.
For this special American version of "Pinocchio," a cast of Hollywood stars lend their voices to bring a fresh, funny and contemporary flair to the cavalcade of fairy tale characters. The voices include Breckin Meyer, Glenn Close, John Cleese, Queen Latifah, Cheech Marin, Jim Belushi, Regis Philbin, Eric Idle, Topher Grace, Eddie Griffin, Kevin James and David Suchet.
Michael Marshall, vp of business and legal affairs, negotiated the agreement on behalf of Miramax.
"Pinocchio" opens December 25th (Christmas Day) nationwide and is rated "G."
ABOUT MIRAMAX
Miramax Films, founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 1979, has released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films of the past decade, including 11 Best Picture nominations over the past 10 consecutive years: In the Bedroom, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, Shakespeare In Love, Life Is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella), Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Il Postino (The Postman), Pulp Fiction, The Piano and The Crying Game.
"Pinocchio" joins Miramax's upcoming slate of children's films and properties which also include "Pokemon 4," " "Ella Enchanted," "Artemis Fowl," "The Cricket in Times Square," "Bartimaeus," an Untitled animated motion picture based on the LEGO Company's BIONICLE(TM) brand, and "The Magic Brush."
ABOUT MCDONALD'S
McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer, with approximately 30,000 restaurants serving nearly 46 million people each day. Approximately 80 percent of all McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent franchisees.
