Consumers Looking Beyond Hollywood to Experience Film Says New Survey From Spout.com

Consumers Looking Beyond Hollywood to Experience Film Says New Survey From Spout.com

More than 75% of Consumers Prefer Couches and Friends to Theaters and Critics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollywood's halcyon days of big budget blockbusters and guaranteed theater turnouts are feeling the pain of a new consumer driven media world. As is the case with television, advertising and music, the consumer is now in control thanks to new media, new devices and the evolving Internet experience. In fact, a new consumer survey from Spout -- an online community for people who love film that creates a better way to find film -- revealed that 47 percent of theater goers were disappointed with more than half of the movies they saw last year, with 75 percent choosing to enjoy the movie experience at home.

The survey, which took a look at consumer film habits, also revealed that while ticket sales continue to lag, consumers' trust in advertising and critics is falling as well. In fact, 79 percent of consumers view ads and critics as the least trusted source for film information, with 52 percent noting they turn to family and friends for the real scoop.

Recognizing this new divide between the consumer and the multiplex, sites like spout.com offer a complement to a broken Hollywood model, giving consumers a trusted place online to discuss, organize and buy all kinds of film. While other sites offer computer-generated recommendations, spout.com uses real people-experts or mavens-to help consumers sort through the thousands of films they could choose.

"With a changing Hollywood model and new media technologies, it is clearly the time for the consumer to drive the industry. Whether looking at independent films or the big blockbuster, sites like spout.com will add a human connection to the experience bringing people and films together better than before." says Rick DeVos, CEO and co-founder of Spout. "By creating a trusted online community that offers both independent and blockbuster titles, Spout will help audiences find their films and help filmmakers connect with their audiences."

In addition to film viewing habits, the Spout survey also uncovered another consumer disconnect that correlates with changes in Hollywood. The survey revealed that 61 percent of consumers wanted to see independent films, but 41 percent admitted they missed out because they don't have access to them. This consumer demand was supported by an Oscar ceremony that celebrated independent films over blockbusters.

Spout is committed to addressing and helping this growing independent film community to bridge this divide and reach its audiences. As the spout.com community and site develops, Spout will organically build a foundation for its ultimate goal of creating a grassroots alternative to Hollywood's promotion and distribution model and allowing the work of more filmmakers to reach their audiences.

About Spout:

Spout, which was founded in 2005 by four filmmakers and film fans in Grand Rapids, MI, is an online community where users can find films, meet people and have a much richer Internet community experience. A blend of technology, personalization and passion ignites and differentiates the spout.com community and gives consumers a unique place to buy, discuss and organize their favorite films. Spout's mission is to close the large time and marketing gaps that exist between film festivals, multiplexes and living rooms. In addition, Spout draws people from throughout the film value chain to build a robust online community, with the goal of building an alternative, grassroots promotion and distribution channel for filmmakers.

Source: Spout

CONTACT: Noelle Dean, of Peppercom for Spout.com, +1-212-931-6140,
ndean@peppercom.com

Web site: http://www.spout.com/

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