No, this post is not about the writer’s strike. Though I am all for it, and I think the time is ripe: Hollywood’s writers will get a bigger slice of the cake. But that is another discussion…

I found an article on Forbes Online Magazine about Hollywood marketing films on the Internet. Though the majority of marketing-money is still going into traditional marketing channels (print and TV ads), increasing funds are devoted to online channels. The main reason is that more and more people are finding out about upcoming releases online. 

The article states the following: “According to consumer exit surveys conducted during their respective opening weekends, more moviegoers cited the Internet as a motivating source of information than any other media, Caines said. Of the Superbad audience, 73% cited the Internet, 72% cited TV commercials and 67% cited in-theater previews. For Extinction, 64% of respondents cited the Internet, 56% said TV commercials and 55% said in-theater trailers.”

Online Marketing is on the rise in every industry, but with the popularity of YouTube and other video streaming sites it already is second nature for Internet users to find trailers online. Not to mention the buzz in Social Networks (mobile or online) on opening weekends, which is making or breaking new releases.

I confidently predict that Hollywood’s spending on online marketing is going to increase rapidly in a short period of time. Given the mounting evidence, there is no way it can’t.