Miramax Offers Two Free Passes to Prevent Piracy via Twitter

Posted by mike
April 12, 2009

adventurelandtweet

Usually when you hear a story about a studio getting involved to prevent piracy, it’s in a pretty negative light.  We’ve all heard our fair shares of stories about the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) battling legally with those that have illegally downloaded films and songs.  What you’ve never probably heard though is them battling it in a positive way.

Twitter user @omgamandaa (listed as Amanda Music) tweeted that she wanted the film Adventureland to be available via a torrent site.  When she posted it, she was probably expecting a link in return from someone as to where she could find it.  What she probably wasn’t expecting was Miramax to reply back officially via their twitter account (@MiramaxFilms) with the tweet “@omgamandaa Cmon Amanda, don’t do it. #adventureland #fbi.”  Receiving the reply, Amanda replied back with a tweet saying “@MiramaxFilms okay i wont, JUST FOR YOU.”

Now the exchange could have ended here with Miramax giving a simple scolding to let Amanda know they were out there and it was the wrong decision.  Fortunately for both Miramax and Amanda, it didn’t happen that way and there’s a bit of brilliance in Miramax’s PR department and they just recently responded to her with a tweet saying “@omgamandaa Thanks Amanda. In return, I have a free Fandango card for 2 tix if you’re interested in Adventureland. Just DM us for the code.”

miramaxtweet

Miramax quickly turned what could have been another lost ticket sale to piracy into a positive experience with a fan that also reveals to them the possibilities when making the right decision.  When Amanda tweeted back promising not to do it, she was unaware that it would lead to her to free tickets but she did so anyway.  Receiving them was Miramax’s way of showing they supported her decision (and getting a bit of PR as well I’m sure).

While I think this is a huge step up for both the movie industry and Twitter, this could lead to an influx of people saying “I’m about to download x” or “where can I find a torrent of y?”  People may seek out the path to free movie tickets more to see what Miramax will do and this really is only effective as a one time action.  But in the end, it shows both the power of Twitter (be a constant feedback and communication device) and the benefits of companies taking the time out to listen to what’s being said.

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  • That's pretty cool of them. If only more companies had such a personable Twitter presence..
  • Hi Paul, I think you need to wake up now, look around everyone is using twitter!

    Emma
  • I agree. This is stellar. The music industry should take note of examples like these as well. ;)
  • I agree, this can only be a one time (or very rare) response (the free tickets, not the initial reply), but it's a great showing by Miramax.
    Taking a cue from education (and dog training), always reward the positive behaviors instead of punishing the negative ones.
  • Brandon
    I smell a rat.. How do we know that Amanda is real?
  • I'm going to guess the studio wouldn't go through the elaborate ruse of posting 680 updates (in quite a span of time before this) only to use it as PR for a free movie ticket giveaway.

    Beyond that I always chatted with her briefly about it.
  • ONTD
    She's a real person.
    I've talked to her.

    http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/...
  • Very cool. In order for us to escape this cycle of piracy and fear mongering, both sides need to be willing to acknowledge when the other is trying to do the right thing. Props to Miramax for making moves to establish rapport with their customers.
  • rorschach
    It's a TRAP! They want your address, Amanda! They're sending the feds!
  • lolz why is it a trap? any particular reason you are saying this?
  • Hey, it's not like Miramax Twitterers had anything else going on.
  • This is a great idea I still don't think they will earn big by doing this. You really can't stop piracy but at least they are trying.
  • Good news..Now twitter contribute to all over the country organizations to improve their welfare and a lot..It is healthy news..
  • Many people are looking forward to escape from the piracy and fear mongering for past many months...so now the two sides need trusting system..
  • This would either lead to a new and promising approach to preventing piracy, or lead to the influx of opportunists threatening to download something just to get freebies. What's certain is that this shows how powerful Twitter is as a constant feedback and communication channel.
  • Right on. I just hope that this wouldn't be the start of the influx of abuse. Hope that this will pave the way for preventing piracy.
  • watchmoviesonline
    aking a cue from education (and dog training), always reward the positive behaviors instead of punishing the negative ones.
  • You are very much rite I love your comment. I dont really do replies but I did it on your post because I like it.

    Thanks and Regards
  • Taking a cue from education (and dog training), always reward the positive behaviors instead of punishing the negative ones.

    Thanks
  • Many people are looking forward to escape from the piracy and fear mongering for past many months...so now the two sides need trusting system..
  • Taking a cue from education (and dog training), always reward the positive behaviors instead of punishing the negative ones.
  • I think its an old new I am very late for this rite?
  • Yes buddy you and me are very very late no one isnt replying even!
  • Many people are looking forward to escape from the piracy and fear mongering for past many months...so now the two sides need trusting system..
  • That's pretty cool of them. If only more companies had such a personable Twitter presence..
  • In return, I have a free Fandango card for 2 tix if you’re interested in Adventureland. Just DM us for the code.
  • What's certain is that this shows how powerful Twitter is as a constant feedback and communication channel.
  • I guess its pretty old news now !
  • The privacy can't be defeated as the file sharing system is growing so much. The piratebay.org shut down is required to stop the privacy
  • The offer like this are really good. Due to piracy the studios loss million of dolors annually. Torrent sites are on very high nowadays
  • Adventureland is on torrents now. It has been very difficult for studios to stop movie piracy. No matter what they do the privacy gangs sort out a way to distribute it.
  • i agree with u torrents are everywhere. When people can get the thing for free then why to waste money and get the original thing.
  • This would either lead to a new and promising approach to preventing piracy, or lead to the influx of opportunists threatening to download something just to get freebies. What's certain is that this shows how powerful Twitter is as a constant feedback and communication channel.
  • What's certain is that this shows how powerful Twitter is as a constant feedback and communication channel.
  • Very clever from a PR perspective but im not this this will discourage people from privacy issues - good for the studio for taking the initiative though
  • Good on miramax for going down a more positive road of action, great PR stunt and for that they earn my respect, but if they think this will prevent piracy they are kidding themselves
  • Just goes to show Twitter can be useful, will it stop piracy? no but its still a good gesture from such a big company
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