Comic-Con continues to find new ways to spread out from the San Diego Convention Center.
Having already flowed into the lawn outside and into area hotels, the airport is the next takeover target for Hollywood’s TV networks and studios turning to the fanfest each year to promote their newest projects.
TNT will plaster the San Diego Intl Airport’s baggage claim carousels, escalators and skyway bridges with images and other messaging for its upcoming series “Legends,” starring Sean Bean, Ali Larter, Morris Chestnut and Tina Majorino (see below). Show premieres Aug. 13.
From there, the marketing campaign will also appear around the city’s Gaslamp Quarter, including a giant billboard covering the side of the Marriott Hotel, next to the convention center.
Naturally, there’s also a social media component. The network is encouraging fans of actor Sean Bean to use the hashtag #DontKillSeanBean in social media postings about the show.
The hashtag plays on the fact that Bean has died in more than 20 acting roles, including the two characters for which he is widely known: Boromir in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Ned Stark in “Game of Thrones.” The hashtag will have its own Tumblr page, as well.
A planned panel for the show will include a screening of the first episode.
On the show floor, TNT will also amp up its social media-friendly efforts, turning its “Falling Skies” booth into an alien cocoon, complete with fluid-pumping vessels and lights top make it look alive, that plays a key part in the July 27 episode.
Separately, a “Falling Skies” panel will feature the show’s stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Will Patton, Sarah Carter, Maxim Knight, Scarlett Byrne, Doug Jones and executive producer David Eick on July 25.
And just down the road, TNT has paired up with Evolve Media’s CraveOnline, an online lifestyle destination for men, to produce a party on board the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier that will promote post-apocalyptic series “The Last Ship” with photo ops, activities like laser tag and other games, screenings, cocktails, and performances by band MGMT and a DJ set by Grimes.
Event is CraveOnline’s third co-promotion with TNT and the second to take place at Comic-Con around “The Last Ship.”
“This party is certain to be an experience unlike any other at Comic-Con,” said Tricia Melton, senior VP of entertainment marketing and branding for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies, especially considering it takes place “onboard a vessel that mirrors the program perfectly.”
“Throughout the entire planning process, our goal was to build an event that would not only cater to CraveOnline’s massive music and entertainment audiences, but to create an unforgettable experience—one that would distance us from the usual distractions surrounding Comic-Con,” said John Keefer, general manager of CraveOnline and VP of Evolve Media. “Securing the U.S.S. Midway was crucial to visually set us apart, while our loyal friends at TNT have made it easy—and fun—to create a fantastically immersive experience.”