World Nature Conservation Day!

This July 28th, we acknowledge and celebrate World Nature Conservation Day.

We share only one home, our planet Earth, and Distribution Solutions is committed to protecting our environment as much as we are committed to providing the best home media entertainment.

World Nature Conversation Day promotes a healthy natural environment as the foundation of a stable and productive society and ensures the well-being of present and future generations. To achieve this, we must all work together to protect, conserve, and sustain our natural resources.

Our team recently worked at the crossroads of these missions in releasing the IMAX Original Film A BEAUTIFUL PLANET. This breathtaking documentary, narrated by Oscar® winner Jennifer Lawrence, shows our magnificent blue planet and the effects humanity has had on it over time.

Viewing our changing world from above on the International Space Station, there’s a dramatic realization that it is within our power to protect the planet and develop a deeper connection with the place we call home.

Previously, A BEAUTIFUL PLANET had only been available to view in select IMAX theaters but a partnership with Mill Creek Entertainment and Distribution Solutions brought the stunning visuals and transcendent experience to a larger audience on home entertainment.

While sharing a unique perspective and an increased understanding that promotes the values of World Nature Conservation Day, Distribution Solutions also supports this important cause by making operational decisions to minimize our impact on the environment. From using fewer plastics in our products, finding shipping solutions that lower carbon emissions, or innovative methods across our businesses, partners, and workflows, we are dedicated to being agents of change and sharing the stories that inspire, motivate, and drive us all to make a difference now and for the future of our beautiful planet.

Post by J.W. Starrett, Director of Marketing Services

Copy That!

A DVD or Blu-ray on a shelf acts as a mini-billboard for itself. And just like that ginormous billboard hovering over the freeway, every single aspect of the artwork is intentional (and sometimes even legally required.)

When it comes to physical goods, a title has to speak quickly and clearly to potential purchasers. We aim to strike a balance between the rational and the emotional parts of the human brain, moving from “Hmmm, this looks like something I might like” to “Yes! (adds to cart)” in the space of a few seconds.

*We gave the feedback, our partners at Quiver delivered!*

At Distribution Solutions, marketing and design professionals are hard at work to blend art and commerce in a way that’s going to drive purchase intent…for the benefit of our label partners. Everyone wins if we get it right!

Striking imagery is the first thing that likely catches a consumer’s eye, but then the box copy gets right to work. Because we only have a few seconds with a customer in a store aisle in an Amazon search, each and every character of the text on a DVD or Blu-ray cover has to pull its weight.

*Design provided by 4Digital; tagline and concept by Distribution Solution*s.

At Distribution Solutions, whether we’re designing the art (or providing feedback), our partners know that each element we include (or suggest) supports the recommendations found during our SWOT analysis of the title.

*Collaborated concept: ITN Distribution and Distribution Solutions*

If you’ve been out in the world and seen a DVD before, then you’ll know the key components of key art copy. But we’ll mention them here anyway so that we can elaborate on what each bit of copy brings to the table.

Title Treatment: Color, typeface, and design convey the film’s genre and tone. Great place to weave in genre iconography or go with a font that evokes a time period.

Tagline: Adds context and sells the premise of the film. This can be a difficult thing to write. Needs to be concise and as original as possible. (The DS team flat out loves tagline brainstorming, so our partners know they can count on us to get there!)

Press Quotes: Communicate the critical acclaim and serve as a hallmark of quality, while the sources contextualize who is recommending. With the right set of quotes, a tagline is rendered unnecessary. A great situation!

Our goal is to make the most out of the few seconds our label partners’ titles have with a potential purchaser, whether it be in the aisles of a big-box retailer or a digital storefront during an at-home browse.

*Feedback from Distribution Solutions, final art delivered by Magnolia.*

To learn more about our process and talk to us about the intersection of art and commerce, drop us a line at studios@ds.aent.com. And one more for the road…

*Horror and twisted humor go together like baby teeth and cash rewards. Design courtesy of ITN Distribution, with creative input from Distribution Solutions.*

Getting Creative

Winning! Some of Mill Creek Entertainment’s 22 Home Media Awards

At Distribution Solutions, we work with some of the best designers in the business — experts at creating appealing packaging and engaging digital key art, and much much more! And when we say “work with” we mean that we are all part of the Alliance family of brands and our actual co-workers. (Lucky us!)

Our Minneapolis-based designers are the force behind Mill Creek Entertainment’s 22 (and counting) Home Media Awards. They provide high-quality packaging that resonates with consumers, with designs that are recognized consistently by industry peers.

The Alliance Creative team (Irvine, CA) has won over 20 NARM advertising awards, developing unique campaigns for retail. Customized, beautifully designed, internally illustrated, and stand-alone – their work is key to the sell-through of some of the best and brightest catalog titles in the music category.

Our team creates custom POS displays across entertainment product types.

Our label partners can tap into the creativity behind all those awards!

Once the assets are in-house, we take it from there, with creative direction –managing the communication priorities (genre, talent, press quotes, taglines) — and driving the process of collaboration until we reach the final approval process with our label partners. Our capabilities also include handling final packaging uploads, print proofing, printing, and getting parts where they need to be for final assembly.

Browse the galleries for a sampling of recent work…for DVD, Blu-ray, collectible formats such as SteelBook® ! Our team knows how to create value and connect with fans!

Deluxe Blu-ray Editions

If a partner can dream it, we can design it. And if they can’t dream it, our team will do the dreaming on their behalf. We thrive on creating cool, collectible stuff that fans can’t live without.

Specialty Packaging

So excellent that they’ll want two: one to open, the other to shelve with the collectibles!

Our team creates key art optimized for virtual storefronts, creating & delivering versions of that art for nearly 30 custom sizes, covering every required aspect for digital and linear platforms!

Digital Key Art

Mood, genre and the promise of a well-chosen stream.

We are proud to offer “boutique agency” quality and service, coupled with the product management know-how of our entire team..saving our label partners time, money, and the hassle of managing multiple vendors and complicated timelines.

To see more of our team’s stellar work and to learn about our rates and full suite of services, reach out to us at studios@ds.aent.com today!