Tonight, Jane Pickens Theater Rolls out New "Hollywood Ticket" Offer

Tonight, the Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center will debut a new program that offers a taste of the Hollywood insider’s life — as long as you have a ticket.

The Hollywood Ticket, a new and inventive program that offers moviegoers a chance to get a swag bag chock full of goodies from local merchants along with their movie ticket, is debuting tonight at the theater in conjunction of a showing of Woody Allen’s new movie, “Magic in Moonlight.”

Only 300 of the Hollywood Ticket bags are available and Kathy Staab, owner of the theater, said it’s a way to get more people into the seats beyond the busy summer months and offers a unique, elevating reward for guests who want a little extra from their moviegoing experience.

The Hollywood Ticket program is the brainchild of former Newporter and businesswoman Paula Conway, who brought the idea to Staab with the understanding that Staab is always looking for ways to make the historic theater stand out.

“We thought partnering with the organization was a great way of adding on to what we offer here,” Staab said in an interview.

With a background in fashion design, Staab was able to lend her insights in running an accessory business and determining what should go in the bags.

For partner advertisers, it’s a chance to land in the laps of upscale, educated customers — the typical clientele at the Jane Pickens Theater.

“It’s great for advertisers because people get to see their product and it’s a targeted market,” Staab said.

And its great for moviegoers because not only is the bag to be filled with great stuff, it will come with a minor additional price. Moviegoers will be offered both a regular ticket or a Hollywood Ticket, with the Hollywood ticket offering $200 worth of products for just $5 more.

It also will offer the experience celebrities get at awards shows and premiers, where VIPs are showered with gifts on their way down the red carpet. The only difference is you don’t have to be an Academy Award winner to get the swag at Jane Pickens.

A portion of The Hollywood Ticket ™ bags will be shared with local community members at an opening night garden party at the Vanderbilt Grace down the street from the cinema prior to the screening of “Magic in Moonlight.” The Hollywood Ticket will include such popular and emerging lifestyle brands as: EBOOST, illyissimo Caffe, COOLA Suncare, a discounted stay and spa credit at the uber-luxury and secluded resort Petit St Vincent in the Southern Grenadines, and many more. In celebration of “Magic in the Moonlight” there’s also a special offer from a celebrity psychic.

“For years I have wondered why advertisers are not reaching consumers in movie theaters beyond concessions and movie screens. Going to the movies should be an experience, not just limited to the purchase, the popcorn and movie,” Conway said. “If the bag is compelling, I believe that this is a touch point for brands and advertisers where the consumer will opt in.”

For more information on The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center, visit janepickens.com, facebook.com/Jane-Pickens-Theater-Event-Center and twitter @JPTNewport.