Hollywood
Keira Knightley starrer ‘Begin Again’ to hit theaters on 18 July
MUMBAI: Bring out the romantic within you, this monsoon. PVR Director’s Rare gears up to release its latest offering, Begin Again.
Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, the film which is written and directed by John Carney also marks the acting debut of the lead singer of pop rock band Maroon 5, Adam Levine.
PVR JMD Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said, “We are glad to bring a fun, light-hearted movie like ‘Begin Again’ under the banner of PVR Director’s Rare. We are certain that the movie will not be liked just by music lovers but will strike a chord with the wider Hollywood cinema loving audience as well. By investing in such critically-acclaimed movies, we want to continue our pursuit of bringing an eclectic mix of niche and independent cinema to Indian theatres.”
Begin Again is a soul-stirring comedy about what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together. Greta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray and a reeling, lovelorn Greta is left, all alone. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon her performing at an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.
SGN Mediaworks director Kishor Shrivastav added, “SGN Mediaworks is proud to be associated with a film like Begin Again that boasts of a great star cast and such an engaging storyline. Begin Again is the kind of movie that leaves you with a smile. With our especial love for romance and music, the film is the perfect watch for the Indian audience.”
A romantic musical set in New York, Begin Again will release on 18 July 2014, across the country.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
