Latest news with #Disney
Business Insider
40 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Disney and Coca-Cola Stock Look to Strike Back with Star Wars Push
Coca-Cola (KO) and Disney (DIS) aren't just celebrating 70 years of partnership, they're reigniting two of the most recognizable brands on Earth at a time when both could use a bit of magic in their stock stories. The launch of Coca-Cola's new Star Wars -themed campaign, 'Refresh Your Galaxy,' isn't just a fizzy nostalgia play. It's a calculated brand offensive with shareholder implications. Confident Investing Starts Here: Brand Equity Goes Galactic At first glance, it's collectible cans and hologram gimmicks. But zoom out. You've got 30 limited-edition Coke designs hitting shelves in global markets from Asia to the Americas. It's not just about fans collecting, it's about reigniting emotional loyalty with one of the most commercially powerful fanbases in history. For Coca-Cola, this kind of cross-generational marketing doesn't just spike short-term sales. It builds long-term equity. We're talking retail uplift, social media engagement, and maybe most importantly: pricing power. Limited edition packaging gives Coke a reason to flex its premium branding muscle in an increasingly competitive beverage landscape. And yes, collectors will buy more than one. Disney's Content Flywheel Gets New Fuel On the other side of the can: Disney (DIS). The House of Mouse is juicing the Star Wars IP across platforms. From cinema ads to in-park exclusives, this campaign is a masterclass in ecosystem monetization. Theme park traffic? Boosted. Coke's exclusive designs are only available at Disney parks in Florida and California. That's incremental spend on-site, plus food, merch, and everything else that comes with a theme park visit. Disney also wins from eyeballs. The ad spot, a crowd of cosplayers using Coke bottles as lightsabers in a theater screening A New Hope, is engineered to go viral. Viral means reach, and reach means more subscriptions, more merch, more ticket sales. The Impact on Disney and Coca-Cola Stock For Coca-Cola, this isn't just brand theater. It's a margin story. Limited editions help drive volume, but more importantly, they support pricing in an inflation-heavy environment where differentiation matters. If the campaign drives even a modest increase in global sales velocity, it could meaningfully impact earnings, particularly in emerging markets where brand-led growth is key. For Disney, the campaign is a reminder that Star Wars remains a crown jewel, and a lever that can pull revenue across theme parks, streaming, merchandise, and more. In a year when Disney's streaming margins are under scrutiny and parks face post-COVID normalization, multi-channel campaigns like this offer synergistic upside. Is Coca-Cola a Good Stock to Buy? According to 16 Wall Street analysts, Coca-Cola is firmly in 'Strong Buy' territory. The consensus includes 15 Buy ratings and one Hold, with zero Sell recommendations in sight. The average 12-month KO price target is $79.53, a healthy 14.2% upside from its current level of $69.64. Why it matters? A global campaign tied to Star Wars nostalgia and AR-driven social engagement doesn't just move hearts, it moves units. If this cross-promotional campaign lands well (and early signs suggest it will), it could drive volume, especially in international markets where brand saturation still has room to grow. Is Disney a Good Stock to Buy? Meanwhile, Disney isn't far behind in analyst confidence. Out of 19 ratings, 15 are Buys, four are Holds, and, again, zero Sells. The average 12-month DIS price target of $125.12 suggests 3% upside from the current price of $121.61. Star Wars continues to be one of Disney's most monetizable IPs, from box office and streaming to parks and now partnerships. The AR campaign with Coca-Cola amplifies that flywheel, driving engagement in a way that touches nearly every corner of Disney's ecosystem, from Disney+ subscribers to theme park foot traffic.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Disney+ gives streamers a subscription for £1.99 a month - but it's ending soon
Disney+ gives streamers a subscription for £1.99 a month - but it's ending soon Disney Plus is handing out some super cheap subscription months - but be quick Disney+ rare subscription sale ends soon Streaming fans in the UK looking to grab a deal on Disney+ are in luck because the company is handing out the service for only £1.99 per month. The House of Mouse currently has a deal where shoppers can get four months of Disney+ for £1.99 - less than a Costa coffee. But there's something Brits need to know. The deal is ending pretty soon on June 30 so for those who may have fell off the service or want to explore what new shows and series are playing, now is the time to act. You can grab the deal here. Disney enthusiasts can now enjoy a plethora of Marvel Cinematic Universe shows, including WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel - all for less than the price of a Starbucks or for less than a meal deal. The new live-action Snow White movie is on Disney+. (Image: Disney ) The service also boasts an array of Star Wars series, such as Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and The Clone Wars, ensuring there's ample content to keep viewers entertained for months. Classic Walt Disney animated films like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Lion King are also available for your viewing pleasure. Moreover, there are a host of new shows slated for release in June, including Snow White (June 11), Ironheart (June 25), season 4 of FX's The Bear (June 26) and the gripping new sci-fi drama, Alien: Earth (August 13). These join recent hits and critically acclaimed series like The Stolen Girl. Get Disney+ for £1.99 a month £1.99 Disney+ Buy Here Product Description Disney+ has brought back its popular deal that lets new and returning customers join its Standard with Ads plan for £1.99 per month for four months. This enticing offer lasts for four months, allowing streaming fans to indulge in the service until November for less than what most would spend on a Starbucks. However, it's worth noting that the £1.99 deal is for the Standard with Ads version, meaning viewers will have to tolerate ads while watching their favourite shows, which could be a tad irksome. There's tons of great reviews on Trustpilot about Disney+. One streamer said: "Very good selection, friendly support and easy to cancel if you need to. Very easy to navigate their site and the openness and transparency they show should be a model for others.". Article continues below However, one shopper did complain about the amount of ads. They added: "Way too many adverts. Luckily I got it free for 3 months, but would not pay to extend it." However, if shoppers would rather avoid Disney Plus, there are alternatives to consider snapping up. Sky has a number of streaming deals, including the Sky Stream service for £15 a month. Sports fans can also watch DAZN for free for a limited time thanks to a trial deal.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Pixar has its worst box-office opening ever with 'Elio'
Pixar knew that Elio (pic), an original space adventure, would most likely struggle in its first weekend at the box office. Animated movies based on original stories have become harder sells in theatres, even for the once-unstoppable Pixar. At a time when streaming services have proliferated and the broader economy is unsettled, families want assurance that spending the money for tickets will be worth it. But the turnout for Elio was worse – much worse – than even Pixar had expected. The film cost at least US$250mil to make and market. It collected an estimated US$21mil from the evening of June 19 to June 22 at theatres in North America, according to Comscore, which compiles box-office data. It was Pixar's worst opening-weekend result. The previous bottom was Elemental , which arrived to US$30mil in 2023. In May, when the Elio marketing campaign began to hit high gear, Pixar and its corporate owner, Disney, had hoped that it would, in the worst-case scenario, match the Elemental number. Instead, it fell 30% short. In wide release overseas, Elio collected an additional US$14mil, on a par with the initial international results for Elemental . Quality did not appear to be a factor. Reviews for Elio were mostly positive, and ticket buyers gave the movie an A grade in CinemaScore exit polls. The Rotten Tomatoes audience score stood at 91% positive on June 22. On June 22, Disney said it hoped a broader audience would find Elio over the coming weeks. The company pointed to Elemental , which overcame weak initial sales to ultimately collect nearly US$500mil worldwide. – ©2025 The New York Times Company
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Why Pixar's Elio Deserves More Than Its Box Office Debut
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 08: Jonas Rivera, Pixar producer, speaks onstage during Day 1 of the ... More D23 Brazil: A Disney Experience at Transamerica Expo Center on November 08, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo byfor Disney) After its release on June 20, 2025, Pixar's latest original film, Elio, opened to a modest amount at the box office. After the news broke, fans and critics alike have raised concerns about what this means for the future of Pixar, whose films have always been regarded as unique in their ability to connect with and tug at the heartstrings of their viewers. While these conversations continue off social media, it's essential to note that judging a film's profitability solely based on its opening weekend box office isn't always the most accurate formula. Scoring 84% at Rotten Tomatoes, and with Pixar being no stranger to its films experiencing a sort of slow burn at the box office, it wouldn't be outlandish to say that Elio could still be on the path to success. Stiff Competition at the Box Office ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 20: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched.) (L-R) Gerard Butler, Nico ... More Parker and Mason Thames of Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon cast at Universal Epic Universe on May 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo byfor Universal Pictures) Elio, while having the luxury of being a Pixar film in its corner, debuted alongside the long-awaited live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon and the post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later, which was a sequel to an already successful horror film. Pixar, as a brand, has several franchises under its belt. Still, Elio, being an original concept and not a sequel like Toy Story or The Incredibles franchises, had to compete with two films that already have built-in fan bases. Franchises offer familiarity, as people want to see what happens to the characters and story they're already familiar with, which creates a sense of longing that will otherwise guarantee sales and influence their performance at the box office. How to Train Your Dragon also benefited from concentrated campaigns across multimedia platforms. With the original film debuting nearly 15 years ago, nostalgia played a huge role in its success. On the other hand, Elio, although it had its campaigns, adopted a more subdued approach, with some fans stating that they had never even seen a trailer for it until after it had already been FRANCE - MAY 26: Vincent Lacoste, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie attend ... More the Disney and Pixar's "Elemental" Photocall during The 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Carlton Beach on May 26, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by) Looking back, we can see that the film that previously held Pixar's title for having the lowest opening weekend box office numbers might mean that Elio still has a chance to be a commercial success. Elemental, released in 2023, originally debuted with $29.6 million domestically. Similarly to Elio, people talked about what this meant for the future of Pixar until it went on to earn $496.4 million after it achieved success internationally. Considering that Pixar has been in this exact position before, and the fact that it happened with their last film, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Elio might achieve the same trajectory, even if it doesn't achieve success at the international level. I don't need to delve into the economy and its impact on the average American citizen; we see, hear about, and experience it in our everyday lives. The truth of the matter is that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people, especially families, have opted to wait for films that will inevitably be released on streaming services like Disney+. Pixar films like Soul, Turning Red, and Luca all debuted on Disney+, which showed families that theaters and waiting for films to have physical releases were no longer the only options for watching movies they anticipated. With transportation costs, tickets for parents and children, and added concessions, families realize it's cheaper to stream a film on a service they're already paying for than to plan an entire outing to see a movie that could easily cost $70 or more. Even films like Disney's Encanto found much of it's success after it's virality from hit songs like 'We don't talk about Bruno' and 'Surface Pressure,' with the latter gaining traction because of streaming, proving that impact doesn't just exist in the theater. While I prefer original IPs, the average consumer is meticulous when deciding where to spend their hard-earned money. Today, every dollar needs to be accounted for, and some would choose the familiarity of franchises, something that they know they can trust, over something original that they can't guarantee will need to be prioritized. Still, despite Elio experiencing an underwhelming opening at the box office, we've seen Pixar come out on top time and time again. Expectations for movie theaters have changed over the last five years, and studio executives are aware of this. With a high score from critics for its original story, Elio might be playing the long game for success, but that wouldn't be anything Pixar isn't prepared for if films like Elemental serve as any indication. So often, critics expect films to be successful overnight. Still, in this current market, it might be safer to let films, especially those with original concepts and stories, grow into their success organically. We need to be patient.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Disney+ Shifts Strategy With Ironheart 3-Episode Launch
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: (L-R) Lyric Ross, Sev Ohanian, Anthony Ramos, Angela Barnes, ... More Dominique Thorne, Chinaka Hodge, Ryan Coogler, Brad Winderbaum, Executive, Television, Streaming, Animation, Marvel Feature Film Production, Zoie Nagelhout, Zinzi Coogler, Kelsey Lew, Creative Executive, Marvel and Alden Ehrenreich attend the Ironheart fan event at El Capitan Theatre on June 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Disney) Disney+ recently released it's newest entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Ironheart on Disney+. What makes this debut so different is the risk that Disney+ took by not releasing one episode onto the platform but three, and it released them all at once. This is a move that breaks away from Disney's expected weekly release pattern, creating a sort of a hybrid between it's own model and Netlflix's well know binge model, which allows viewers to watch an entire season the moment it releases. With only 3 episodes being available, the next 3 episodes are set to release on July 1, 2025, exactly one week after the first set of episodes were released. This decision reflects the stakes and trust Disney has placed in Ironheart and their willingness to evolve, or at least test out something new, in the streaming world of 2025. A Break from Tradition HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 13: General view of a billboard above the El Capitan Entertainment Centre ... More promoting the upcoming season of the Disney+ Marvel Studios flagship show 'WandaVision' on January 13, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) With shows like WandaVision, Agatha All Along, Loki, and Ms. Marvel, Disney+ released episodes for each on a weekly basis, with the anticipation from cliffhangers often keeping fans speculating, talking, and excited for more. Not only did this maximize the discussions on social media, through hashtags, message boards, communities, and more, it also made sure that Disney was able maximize the profit of their subscription model, with the weekly episodes keeping most subscribers for an extended period compared to them watching everything in a single day. The show follows Riri Williams, an MIT student and scientist who made her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and helps fans get to know a character who has only recently been in the spotlight. By changing how subscribers watch their content, Disney+ seems able to explore a fortunate development by allowing fans to engage with Riri's story gradually while still providing the dopamine boost that comes with binge watching shows. Ironheart is not the first Disney+ show to experiment with the binging model, as Echo, which released in January 2024, released all of its episodes at once to a bag of mixed reviews from subscribers. Disney was able to take that feedback and repurpose it with this new model that they're testing with Ironheart, which has three episodes as an appetizer and another three the final week to finish everything off. 'I love the fact that there's a week between these three-episode releases,' one producer told TechRadar, 'If people want to binge watch them, they get to do so and then the wait isn't long for the next batch to drop, so I think it'll make for a good viewing experience." What's Next for Ironheart? If the response to this new release schedule is positive, we might discover a new way to stream our favorite content, especially shows that studio executives might see as risky—shows that don't have the same built-in fanbase as MCU film characters, particularly in Ironheart's case, since Riri debuted as a supporting character. Disney is aware of and is currently working on their streaming model. Whether or not this new model works or receives similar feedback to the full season release that Echo had, we'll have to see how Disney handles its streaming MCU content in the future. One sure way to tell if it succeeds, before any pre-releases are made, is if we see more half-season premieres for future streaming content on Disney+.
