Comment on the centenary came from the media-friendly hmv owner Doug Putman, who said: “hmv’s 100th birthday is a huge milestone for the British high street and the music industry. Our stores continue to offer millions of customers a way of discovering new music, with an unrivalled vinyl range, as well as giving fans the chance to buy exclusive products from their favourite artists and franchises. We’re famed for our passionate and knowledgeable staff, and we’re a business that listens to what they and our customers want to see in stores. We have so many exciting plans for our Centenary, from a gig with Ed Sheeran to the return of our in-store signings and performances. This is a huge year for hmv, and we want to set up the business so that it’s still here in another 100 years’ time.”

There was more too, with exclusive comment for our industry and The Raygun from from hmv head of film and TV John Delany, who said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 100th birthday, and as part of the year ahead we’re planning more in-store events, promotions and exclusive product to excite our customers. Last year there were understandably fewer big releases, but now the pipeline of blockbuster films is looking strong, with Black Widow and the latest instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise doing solid numbers at the box office. These are certain to become huge home cinema hits, and alongside the likes of A Quiet Place Part II and Peter Rabbit 2 there really is something for everyone. In lockdown, many people took the opportunity to upgrade their TV and soundsystem, and we’re seeing more people embrace high-quality audio and video by purchasing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. The industry saw great success over the last 18 months with TV, Blu-ray reissues and New To 4K releases, as more investment went into these areas and those titles benefited from more support and focus. When the theatrical releases - and their big week one numbers return, we shouldn't lose focus on these areas or the superfans who love collecting them.”

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The Entertainment Retailers Association, which las worked with hmv for as long as we can remember, both in its current guise and its previous BARD incarnation, gave its birthday wishes to hmv, with ERA’s Kim Bayley saying: “ERA would like to wish hmv a happy 100th birthday and congratulate them on a very impressive and well deserved milestone. hmv joined ERA as a founding member in 1988 and throughout the years have been an invaluable member of the ERA board; helping to shape and grow the entertainment industry throughout its many changes and challenges. They continue to be an important cornerstone of the British high street and so we congratulate them on all they have achieved and look forward to the next 100 years.”

More comment came from Spirit’s Rob Callow, who said: “100 years of the incredible hmv - wow, what an amazing achievement! Congratulations to all hmv colleagues past and present for your passion, knowledge amazing resilience and lasting commitment to home entertainment and of course thanks also for a lot of fun along the way. On behalf of the Spirit team and all our trading partners we wish you a very, very happy and prosperous centenary year.”

Elevation’s commercial director Richard Athill also gave comment on the retailer’s centenary, saying: “100! An outstanding achievement and testament to the enduring strength of the hmv brand. Did you get a letter from Queen? Congratulations to the whole team new and old. Your professionalism, dedication, knowledge and perseverance have all contributed to this success. And as for Elevation and our Partners a huge thanks for your support and collaboration in finding ways of bringing excitement and product innovation to your Customers (doormats – who knew!).”

Further comment came from documentary specialist Dogwoof, which is just finishing a major promotion in hmv and sister Fopp stores. The company’s head of home entertainment Daniel Green said: “hmv and its Fopp sister stores have always been right behind our releases - so much so that we're just concluding our best-sever solus promotion with them. The Sainsbury's news was obviously a blow but we know that, as long as consumer appetite for great DVD, Blu-ray and UHD packages exist, the likes of HMV will be there to support the indies as well as the studios."

Well have more hmv birthday comment next time - it’s not every day a retailer celebrates such a milestone, particularly not considering the changing nature of the business - so, regular Raygun readers, distributors and individuals, please feel free to send us your though, comments and best wishes to the retailer at the usual address.

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Back to Dogwoof the indie is continuing its continues home ent partnership with Universal on Monday with the DVD and Blu-ray release of Under the Volcano, a music doc on Montserrat's legendary AIR Studios, directed by Gracie Otto (The Last Impresario). Commenting on the release, here's Dogwoof's Daniel Green: "We started the year with Spike Lee's fantastic David Byrne's American Utopia, and have teamed up once again with the team at Universal for Under the Volcano. Gracie is a wonderful director and the film was a real audience hit at SXSW, which made this an easy one to jump in on. We started the week with a really impactful trailer launch, which also saw contributors like Sting and Mark Knopfler sharing the news on their social channels, as well as pieces in Rolling Stone and NME. With Fopp and HMV flourishing once again we have high hopes for a good week one result.”

Also in stores on Monday is a new release from Lionsgate, with Six Minutes To Midnight. Commenting on the release, the company’s marketing coordinator Nuala Clarke said: “We are very excited to bring the tense World War II spy thriller, Six Minutes to Midnight, to the UK market. Based on incredible true events and starring Emmy Award® winner Eddie Izzard, Carla Juri, James D’Arcy and Academy Award® winners Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent, Six Minutes to Midnight is a thrilling tale of espionage based on the events of the Augusta-Victoria college, a British finishing school for the Nazi high-command. Certainly not one to be missed! We are supporting the title with a targeted media campaign and a thorough press office campaign, supported by interviews with cast and filmmakers.”

Also due in stores on Monday is the latest from Second Run, another sumptuously presented package from a director whose works they’ve already released in the past, Juraj Herz, and the Slovak director’s take on the classic fairy story Beauty And The Beast, although, as the company’s Chris Barwick not, Disney it ain’t: ”Having previously released his films The Cremator and Morgiana, we welcome Juraj Herz's Beauty and the Beast to the Second Run catalogue. A unique take on the classic fairy tale, this one definitely isn't for kids, though. It's a dark and macabre twist on the familiar story which is also known, perhaps more appropriately, as'The Virgin and the Monster'. This is more David Lynch than Disney, so fans of Gothic fantasy and horror cinema will find much to enjoy in this twisted variation from Czechoslovak cinema’s most wryly subversive artist.”

News from the agency side of the business and the ever-expanding OC – current clients including Sony Pictures, BBC, Britbox, YouTube and Lionsgate – has acquired creative company Zero Degrees West, aka ZDW, in a deal that further expands its operation to Los Angeles/ ZDW will retain its staff and HQ and will work independently alongside OC under the banner of the newly-created parent company OC Group. The pair will collaborate and work together, although ZDW will retain its roster of clients – including Netflix, Warner Media, Amazon Studios, Sony Music and NBCUniversal – and its projects in the UK and US. ZDW creative director Ipar L’Aimable will remain in his post, while ZDW founder and ceo Jodie Waterhouse will ensure a smooth transition and handover before departing the company. Alex Carter, founder of OC, will take over the reins as ceo of the new OC Group.

Comment on the big deal came from Alex Carter who said: “We are proud to announce our first acquisition. ZDW is one of the most respected names in the film sector and Jodie has built a genuinely incredible business – I am truly honoured to take the agency to the next stage of its evolution. Importantly, it will allow the OC Group to collectively push forward while expanding our digital and strategic solutions, bolstering the wider OC offering including key art, packaging, campaigns and OOH; as well as taking the group into the all-important LA entertainment market.” Jodie Waterhouse added: “ZDW couldn’t be in safer hands than with Alex and the OC Group team. They are highly creative, forward-thinking and have an unrivalled passion for the entertainment industry. It is this common ground between our agencies and teams which gave me the confidence in joining forces. The potential success, combined talent and drive for both agencies, and importantly our clients, in the coming months and years is brilliant news for everyone.” The deal was brokered by management and growth consultancy ‘the arc’, whose founder Adam Rubins, said: “We are living in unprecedented times and the market is opening up on both the buy and sell side. OC and ZDW are a great match and aligned with the arc’s approach of working with clients to drive scale & growth, increase value and never lose sight of the people behind these deals. It has been a pleasure working with both Alex and Jodie and I believe this union will deliver a first-class product within the entertainment industry.”

Cinemas are back and with them too comes the return of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness’ award-winning Moments Worth Paying For campaign, which launched a new trailer on Friday July 23. Better still, the latest film gang bigging up watching movies legitimately are the Kurupt FM crew ahead of the August release of their feature film debut People Just Do Nothing Big In Japan. We at the Raygun have been banging on about the series since it launched and the pirate radio crew’s MC Grindah and Beats note in the trailer, “we don’t pirate anything”. And as their sidekick Steves adds: “Get yourself down to the cinema guys, yeah, don’t be a cheap arse skate.” Rob Huber, md, Universal Pictures UK + Eire Limited said: “We are excited to partner once again with The Industry Trust on this exclusive content piece for our highly anticipated UK production of People Just Do Nothing: Big In Japan. For a hugely popular TV property getting its big screen debut, it is increasingly important to us that we encourage audiences back to the cinema and watch it on the biggest screen possible – the cinema. We are fully supportive of the vital work that the Trust does and hope to encourage audiences to choose legal routes to watch big screen moments and laugh together this summer in a cinema near you.” Liz Bales, chief executive, The Industry Trust for IP Awareness said: “I’m delighted to see the full return of our flagship anti-piracy campaign, Moments Worth Paying For. Partnering with Universal Pictures International UK & EIRE on People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan is a fantastic way to engage with 18-34 males who, according to Industry Trust research, will be among the first to return to cinemas throughout 2021. Fans of this hilarious, BAFTA-winning hit BBC show will love this bespoke piece written by the Kurupt FM crew, with their trademark humour. The Moments Worth Paying For Campaigns wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of DCM and Pearl & Dean, as well as our many distributor members, and we can’t wait to see it return to the big screen!”

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AT THE MOVIES
News from the DC world - or rather worlds, and parallel universes too - as it appears that one of our favourite multi-hyphenates, Michael B Jordan, is working on a new project involving its characters. Better still, it’s a Superman outing too. It appears that Jordan will be involved in his capacity as a director (he’s currently working on Creed III on both sides of the camera), although it’s not known if he will star too. He’s already appeared in a Marvel film, namely the Black Panther. This tale will be set around another Superman, the Val-Zod incarnation who is part of parallel planet Earth 2. No, we’re not sure either, although expect more news along the way.

Over in the Marvel universe, the sequel to the aforementioned Black Panther is continuing apace, with another new cast addition being made, and it’s one that will only enhance the franchise’s credibility even further. For I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel is said to be working on the sequel, which is currently filming. Little else is known about her role...

One talent who famously worked on a Superman film, Kevin Smith, is returning to the franchise that made his name, Clerks. Lionsgate is on board for the third instalment, which sees all the key characters returning. Smith said: “There’s a saying from the Tao that goes something like ‘To be great is to go on. To go on is to go far. To go far is to return.’ Thanks to Lionsgate, we get to return to where it all started with almost the whole cast that started it all!" Smith says. "And for the first time since the first time we ever made a movie in 1993, we’re shooting the entire flick on location in New Jersey, as an ode to both the enduring allure of cinema and the resourcefulness and lunacy of its storytellers. Years ago, Dante and Randal made me a filmmaker – so now it’s time I return the favour."

TWEEET OF THE WEEK
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TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
That Moments Worth Paying For ad in full…
https://youtu.be/eu1zZyQQGcY

They’re back…
https://youtu.be/FNq-QT2Jpng

More Dune…
https://youtu.be/n9xhJrPXop4

You can see him.
https://youtu.be/NfaT7OI7-f8

Ridley returns…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W846KOGbb_I