Follow HBO True Blood News & Gossip On Twitter
June/18/09 01:27 Filed in: Promotion
HBO has launched two new Twitter accounts that fans may follow for the latest news and gossip:
TrueBloodHBO will broadcast relevant news and information
http://twitter.com/TrueBloodHBO
BonTemps Gossip will take you deep into the town from the perspective of one of its most gossip-happy residents
http://twitter.com/BonTempsGossip
TrueBloodHBO will broadcast relevant news and information
http://twitter.com/TrueBloodHBO
BonTemps Gossip will take you deep into the town from the perspective of one of its most gossip-happy residents
http://twitter.com/BonTempsGossip
"Did HBO's 'True Blood' Campaign Achieve Immortality" - Fast Company
June/17/09 00:19 Filed in: Off-Site
--- Sunday night played host to an anxiously-awaited television event on our newly all-digital TV signals (and we're not talking about the Lakers' victory). It was the premiere of the second season of True Blood, the vampiric HBO show that first catapulted into our collective consciousness with a series of extremely effective viral ads that had all of us doing double-takes when we caught our first glimpse of ads for the TruBlood energy drink. Viewership skyrocketed during the first season, so HBO was faced with the challenge to top the faux-blood beverage for Season Two. Did they? ---
Full Article:
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/alissa-walker/designerati/did-seasons-true-blood-campaign-achieve-immortality-or-just-plain-suc
Full Article:
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/alissa-walker/designerati/did-seasons-true-blood-campaign-achieve-immortality-or-just-plain-suc
"TV vampires take over Friday's Los Angeles Times" - Associated Press
June/14/09 18:16 Filed in: Off-Site
--- Vampires have taken over the Los Angeles Times.
Beneath the masthead of Friday print editions is a full front-page ad for the HBO's series "True Blood." A black-and-white close-up of star Stephen Moyer with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth dominates the page.
In news boxes around town, all that's visible is the close-up of actor's menacing gaze and the paper's banner splayed across the top. No other stories or photos appear on the cover, which is actually a separate four-page broadsheet touting Sunday's premiere of the show's second season. ---
Full Article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCN5lK6rXviUTebCoRD-Yp4W3ixAD98PD4900
Beneath the masthead of Friday print editions is a full front-page ad for the HBO's series "True Blood." A black-and-white close-up of star Stephen Moyer with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth dominates the page.
In news boxes around town, all that's visible is the close-up of actor's menacing gaze and the paper's banner splayed across the top. No other stories or photos appear on the cover, which is actually a separate four-page broadsheet touting Sunday's premiere of the show's second season. ---
Full Article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCN5lK6rXviUTebCoRD-Yp4W3ixAD98PD4900
True Blood Season 2 "Character Posters" & On The Street Marketing
June/08/09 21:41 Filed in: Photos
HBO has released eight True Blood Season 2 Character posters featuring many of our favorite characters from the series in their contiued promotional push for season 2 of the series.
Variations of these posters are being posted as billboards in larger cities and thanks to forum member Tanya C. (Of TMC’s Disgn Haus) we’ve got fifteen shots of them as found in New York City.
You can see these, and digital versions of the afore-mentioned posters, in the Marketing section of our True Blood Gallery.
Variations of these posters are being posted as billboards in larger cities and thanks to forum member Tanya C. (Of TMC’s Disgn Haus) we’ve got fifteen shots of them as found in New York City.
You can see these, and digital versions of the afore-mentioned posters, in the Marketing section of our True Blood Gallery.
True Blood Breaking News: HBO Debuts Season 2 TV Promo
May/01/09 18:42 Filed in: Promotion
Watch for the exclusive premiere of the Season Two TRUE BLOOD promo spot on Entertainment Tonight this evening. The promo features Bob Dylan’s new single “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’.” This spot will then have its debut on HBO Saturday night leading into the film, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (approximately 7:59 p.m.).
Check your local listing for the broadcast time in your area.
Update, here's the trailer:
The song used in the trailer is Bob Dylan's Beyond Here Lies Nothin' and it is availble from iTunes :
True Blood Season 2 Pomo Posters & Adverts Released By HBO
April/27/09 17:16 Filed in: Photos
HBO has released 3 new promotional posters for Season 2 of True Blood. The posters feature a sexy sillouette of some vampire "necking" and include the phrases "Ready To Be Bitten Again?", "Ready For new Blood?" and "Ready For Seconds?". You can view these photos in the True Blood Marketing Gallery.
On line advertisements are, also, appearing on vaious websites using varations of the same images.
On line advertisements are, also, appearing on vaious websites using varations of the same images.
True Blood Off-Site News / Articles Round Up For January 6th, 2009
January/06/09 01:52 Filed in: Off-Site
Hello everyone, I hope all of you had a terrific holiday season. Only a few days into the new year and there's already a juicy backlog of True Blood related news. Here are some of the highlights:
Anna Paquin and Nelsan Ellis Win 2008 13th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards
The Award for "TV/ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION" goes to True Blood's Nelsan Ellis for his wonderful portrayal of Lafayette!
The award for "TV/ACTRESS IN A SERIES, DRAMA" goes to True Blood's Anna Paquin in the role of Sookie!
Congratulations!
Full Listing:
http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2008.shtml
THE FUN-DEAD: ALAN BALL, HBO AND AUTHOR CHARLAINE HARRIS HAVE MADE US ALL WANT TO BE VAMPIRES AGAIN WITH TRUE BLOOD.
by Mr. Norman Maine
SOHO Journal
"So you think Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) and HBO have made vampires cool again? Wrong. They may have brought it to your attention but it’s the eight great books by author Charlaine Harris that’s really brought vampires back and
made us all want to be one…again. It’s the continuing saga of the adorable Sookie Stackhouse, with her ‘disability’ (she can read minds), her merry band of Southern-fried friends and family, of course, vampires.
These books are so much fun that you’ll want to go from one to the next right away and honestly, you should."
Full Article:
http://www.sohojournal.com/?p=1600
Best Shows Of 2008: True Blood
TV Guide
"Alan Ball read our minds, Sookie Stackhouse-style: We didn't know we were looking for a love story/true-crime mystery about Southern gothic vampires, but now that we have it, we're in true love."
Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/special/best-of-year-2008/galleries.aspx?gallery=Best-Shows-1000372&page=10
A West Virginia werewolf in L.A.: Charleston product talks about life as a shapeshifter in HBO's 'True Blood'
By Bill Lynch
The Charleston Gazette
"Trammell has been a very busy guy, with guest appearances on other television shows, such as "Law and Order," as well as the occasional daytime talk show. He's busy, but not too busy to talk to the gazz to let people back home know he's doing just fine, even if the crowd he's been seen running with lately are a bunch of bloodsuckers.
"'True Blood' is definitely the biggest thing I've ever done," he said. "I love working with Alan Ball. He's one of the best writers for television, and it's fun. The show is set in an edgy, swampy gothic world. It's scary and bloody, but there's a lot of dark comedy."
That's not even the best part.
He laughed, "The studio where we shoot 'True Blood' is less than a mile from where I live.""
Full Article:
http://wvgazette.com/Entertainment/television/200812170603
Best was worst ... and worst even worse in fall TV season
By Ted Cox
Daily Herald
"1) "True Blood" - HBO's vampire drama came on at first like a soft-core-porn "Dark Shadows," but it found writer-creator Alan Ball, formerly of "Six Feet Under," developing a new set of expressions for his old obsessions. Late in the season it also developed a sense of itself and, even more important, a sense of self-deprecating humor reminiscent of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It's easily the best of a bad bunch."
Full Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=258492
Top 100 People of 2008
By Whitney Matheson
USA Today
"17. Nelsan Ellis. As gay, drug-dealing chef Lafayette on HBO's True Blood, he's the show's most complex and compelling character. (He's also one of the few actors on the series who doesn't speak with a mangled Southern accent, so he gets extra points there.)"
Full Article:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/12/20-rob-pattinso.html
Ryan Kwanten on Guardians of Ga'Hoole
The Daily Telegraph
"Ryan Kwanten is back home to voice a character in the animated feature Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Kwanten arrived in Australia a week ago and went straight to work in a sound booth at Sydney-based production firm Animal Logic, the masterminds behind the Academy Award-winning hit Happy Feet."
Full Article:
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24842348-5006002,00.html
Trueblood: Internet Marketing Story of the Year
Posted By Matt O'Hern
Marketing Shift
"Jason Dowdell wrote the first Trueblood plost after he received an unusual package containing a vial full of red liquid along with a small card with Japanese writing on it and a URL. Eventually, Jason realized it was HBO's creative media pack to promote the new series, Trueblood.
Before we knew it, readers were hooked on the HBO hit series about modern vampires."
Full Article:
http://www.marketingshift.com/2009/1/trueblood-internet-marketing-story-year.cfm
Anna Paquin and Nelsan Ellis Win 2008 13th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards
The Award for "TV/ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION" goes to True Blood's Nelsan Ellis for his wonderful portrayal of Lafayette!
The award for "TV/ACTRESS IN A SERIES, DRAMA" goes to True Blood's Anna Paquin in the role of Sookie!
Congratulations!
Full Listing:
http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2008.shtml
THE FUN-DEAD: ALAN BALL, HBO AND AUTHOR CHARLAINE HARRIS HAVE MADE US ALL WANT TO BE VAMPIRES AGAIN WITH TRUE BLOOD.
by Mr. Norman Maine
SOHO Journal
"So you think Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) and HBO have made vampires cool again? Wrong. They may have brought it to your attention but it’s the eight great books by author Charlaine Harris that’s really brought vampires back and
made us all want to be one…again. It’s the continuing saga of the adorable Sookie Stackhouse, with her ‘disability’ (she can read minds), her merry band of Southern-fried friends and family, of course, vampires.
These books are so much fun that you’ll want to go from one to the next right away and honestly, you should."
Full Article:
http://www.sohojournal.com/?p=1600
Best Shows Of 2008: True Blood
TV Guide
"Alan Ball read our minds, Sookie Stackhouse-style: We didn't know we were looking for a love story/true-crime mystery about Southern gothic vampires, but now that we have it, we're in true love."
Full Article:
http://www.tvguide.com/special/best-of-year-2008/galleries.aspx?gallery=Best-Shows-1000372&page=10
A West Virginia werewolf in L.A.: Charleston product talks about life as a shapeshifter in HBO's 'True Blood'
By Bill Lynch
The Charleston Gazette
"Trammell has been a very busy guy, with guest appearances on other television shows, such as "Law and Order," as well as the occasional daytime talk show. He's busy, but not too busy to talk to the gazz to let people back home know he's doing just fine, even if the crowd he's been seen running with lately are a bunch of bloodsuckers.
"'True Blood' is definitely the biggest thing I've ever done," he said. "I love working with Alan Ball. He's one of the best writers for television, and it's fun. The show is set in an edgy, swampy gothic world. It's scary and bloody, but there's a lot of dark comedy."
That's not even the best part.
He laughed, "The studio where we shoot 'True Blood' is less than a mile from where I live.""
Full Article:
http://wvgazette.com/Entertainment/television/200812170603
Best was worst ... and worst even worse in fall TV season
By Ted Cox
Daily Herald
"1) "True Blood" - HBO's vampire drama came on at first like a soft-core-porn "Dark Shadows," but it found writer-creator Alan Ball, formerly of "Six Feet Under," developing a new set of expressions for his old obsessions. Late in the season it also developed a sense of itself and, even more important, a sense of self-deprecating humor reminiscent of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It's easily the best of a bad bunch."
Full Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=258492
Top 100 People of 2008
By Whitney Matheson
USA Today
"17. Nelsan Ellis. As gay, drug-dealing chef Lafayette on HBO's True Blood, he's the show's most complex and compelling character. (He's also one of the few actors on the series who doesn't speak with a mangled Southern accent, so he gets extra points there.)"
Full Article:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/12/20-rob-pattinso.html
Ryan Kwanten on Guardians of Ga'Hoole
The Daily Telegraph
"Ryan Kwanten is back home to voice a character in the animated feature Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Kwanten arrived in Australia a week ago and went straight to work in a sound booth at Sydney-based production firm Animal Logic, the masterminds behind the Academy Award-winning hit Happy Feet."
Full Article:
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24842348-5006002,00.html
Trueblood: Internet Marketing Story of the Year
Posted By Matt O'Hern
Marketing Shift
"Jason Dowdell wrote the first Trueblood plost after he received an unusual package containing a vial full of red liquid along with a small card with Japanese writing on it and a URL. Eventually, Jason realized it was HBO's creative media pack to promote the new series, Trueblood.
Before we knew it, readers were hooked on the HBO hit series about modern vampires."
Full Article:
http://www.marketingshift.com/2009/1/trueblood-internet-marketing-story-year.cfm
HBO True Blood Specials To Air Premiere Weekend
September/03/08 17:33 Filed in: Broadcast
HBO will be broadcasting two True Blood related specials on September 6th, 2008. The first is titled “TRUE BLOOD-LINES: VAMPIRE LEGENDS” and will be broadcast at 7:00PM ET. It has a running time of 25 minutes. The second one is “TRUE BLOOD-LINES: A NEW TYPE” and it will air at 7:25PM ET with a running time of 23 minutes.
These featurettes will be repeated on September 7th at 8:00PM and 8:25PM ET, respectively.
Also, the previous specials “TRUE BLOOD: ALAN BALL POV” and “MAKING TRUE BLOOD” will be repeated several times over the coming week.
These are currently available via HBO On Demand.
See the HBO Schedule for specific times in your area.
http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_TODAY=TODAY
These featurettes will be repeated on September 7th at 8:00PM and 8:25PM ET, respectively.
Also, the previous specials “TRUE BLOOD: ALAN BALL POV” and “MAKING TRUE BLOOD” will be repeated several times over the coming week.
These are currently available via HBO On Demand.
See the HBO Schedule for specific times in your area.
http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_TODAY=TODAY
HBO True Blood Wiki Site Now Online
September/02/08 19:58 Filed in: Off-Site
HBO has set up a True Blood Fan Wiki as part of their official site. In case you aren’t familiar with “wiki” sites, they are essentially a database of info where the content is added by the visitors rather than the site owners...
You can see it here:
http://truebloodwiki.hbo.com/
You can see it here:
http://truebloodwiki.hbo.com/
True Blood Episode 1 "Strange Love" Available As Free Rental DVD
August/30/08 00:02 Filed in: Promotion
Blockbuster is offering a free DVD rental on True Blood episode 1, “Strange Love”. If you just can’t wait until September 7th, head out to your local Blockbuster location and grab a copy. Then leave your review of the pilot in our forum.
True Blood Episode 1 On Free Bonus DVD At Best Buy
August/24/08 22:33 Filed in: Merchandise
It appears that Best Buy is giving away the pilot episode of True Blood as part of a special offer beginning this week.
According to their website “Now, when you grab an HBO title, you can get a free DVD with the first episode of the stunning new vampire series, True Blood.”
Thanks to forum member Tanya C. (“tmc&rdquo
, who also stated that her local Best Buy location would not have the discs in until Tuesday August 26th, 2008.
According to their website “Now, when you grab an HBO title, you can get a free DVD with the first episode of the stunning new vampire series, True Blood.”
Thanks to forum member Tanya C. (“tmc&rdquo
, who also stated that her local Best Buy location would not have the discs in until Tuesday August 26th, 2008.Another HBO True Blood Trailer, 2:50 Min Extended Version
August/19/08 21:31 Filed in: Promotion
The True Blood trailers just keep getting longer and longer! Pretty soon we won’t even need to see the episodes. This one features some additional screen time for Fangtasia and future episodes beyond the pilot.
HBO Now Airing New 2:30 Min. Extended True Blood Trailer
August/15/08 15:53 Filed in: Promotion
As of August 14th, 2008 HBO has made yet another extended trailer for True Blood available. This one is the longest yet and has a running time of around 2 and a half minutes. Like previous trailers, this one features scenes from multiple episodes and includes glimpes of Sookie, Bill, Eric, Fangtasia and numerous other vampires and fang-bangers.
Pro/Anti "Vampire Rights Amendment" Posters Added To Gallery
August/11/08 17:52 Filed in: Photos
Posters from the American Vampire League and the Fellowship Of The Sun have been posted in major cities for several weeks now. I’ve managed to get my hands on digital versions of the posters themselves and they are now available in the “Vampire Rights Amendment” Gallery. More photos from the street will be posted shortly, so keep checking back!
Meanwhile, the first lucky recipient in our Tru Blood Give-Away will be announced later this week. Have you entered yet?
Meanwhile, the first lucky recipient in our Tru Blood Give-Away will be announced later this week. Have you entered yet?
HBO Broadcasts A Second, Extended Trailer For True Blood
August/05/08 23:41 Filed in: Promotion
Around August 4th, 2008 HBO begun broadcasting a second, extended trailer for True Blood. Clocking in at a minute and a half, this trailer features scenes from multiple episodes and includes glimpes of Eric, Fangtasia and numerous other vampires and fang-bangers.
Thanks to forum member “definelike” for the heads up.
Thanks to forum member “definelike” for the heads up.
Campfire Sinks Its Creative Teeth Into True Blood - Creativity
August/05/08 23:32 Filed in: Off-Site
Jeff Beer of Creativity-online.com has posted an article covering the impressive, and continually expanding, True Blood promotional efforts created by the advertising company Campfire.
“Zach Enterlin, HBO's vice president of advertising and promotion says when Ball issued the marketing challenge to immerse viewers into the world of True Blood before the first episode even aired, Campfire immediately came to mind. "I'd read a lot about some of the campaigns they had done over the past few years, most notably with Audi," he says. "When True Blood came about we thought it would be a great opportunity to flesh out this world further and deliver a really immersive experience. And I think that's Campfire's strong suit, the notion of storytelling through promotional content."
...
What makes the campaign behind True Blood intriguing is how it overlaps and embeds itself within the mythology of the show itself. To set the stage for the show's hemoglobin-heavy adventures in northern Louisiana, Campfire had to create a complex back story that would reveal how vampires have revealed their presence to the rest of the world, due in large part to the existence of a synthetic blood product manufactured by a mysterious Japanese company.”
Full Article:
http://creativity-online.com/?action=news:article&newsId=130134§ionName=behind_the_work
“Zach Enterlin, HBO's vice president of advertising and promotion says when Ball issued the marketing challenge to immerse viewers into the world of True Blood before the first episode even aired, Campfire immediately came to mind. "I'd read a lot about some of the campaigns they had done over the past few years, most notably with Audi," he says. "When True Blood came about we thought it would be a great opportunity to flesh out this world further and deliver a really immersive experience. And I think that's Campfire's strong suit, the notion of storytelling through promotional content."
...
What makes the campaign behind True Blood intriguing is how it overlaps and embeds itself within the mythology of the show itself. To set the stage for the show's hemoglobin-heavy adventures in northern Louisiana, Campfire had to create a complex back story that would reveal how vampires have revealed their presence to the rest of the world, due in large part to the existence of a synthetic blood product manufactured by a mysterious Japanese company.”
Full Article:
http://creativity-online.com/?action=news:article&newsId=130134§ionName=behind_the_work
True Blood Photo Gallery Updated (Vampire Rights Posters & More)
August/04/08 19:55 Filed in: Photos
Thanks to forum member Tanya (of TMC’s Design Haus), we have a botload of new photos in Marketing section of the True Blood Photo Gallery. First up are a bunch of new pictures in the Vampire Rights Amendment Gallery. These are of the latest American Vampire League Posters that now feature graffiti meant to demonize the good will of the AVL. Also, included are pictures of posters for the infamous bloodcopy.com website, asking “Where were you in vampires came out?”...
Additionally, Tanya, caught some snaps of the official True Blood promo poster as displayed in her city. Those can be found in the True Blood Marketing Gallery.
Have you seen photos or advertisements in your city? Please let me know!
Additionally, Tanya, caught some snaps of the official True Blood promo poster as displayed in her city. Those can be found in the True Blood Marketing Gallery.
Have you seen photos or advertisements in your city? Please let me know!
First Official True Blood Teaser Trailer Broadcast By HBO
July/28/08 01:43 Filed in: Promotion
As Of July 27th, 2008 HBO has begun broadcasting it’s first direct/mainstream advertisement for True Blood in the form of a 30 second teaser trailer featuring scenes from multiple episodes.
Discuss this news entry in our True Blood Forum.
Discuss this news entry in our True Blood Forum.
HBO Releases True Blood Promotional Poster
July/22/08 09:40 Filed in: Photos
HBO has finally released a poster directly promoting the True Blood TV Series itself. Carrying the tag line “Thou Shall Not Crave Thy Neighbor”, it manages to be both deliciously creepy and sexy at the same time.
You can view this poster in the True Blood Marketing Gallery.
Discuss this news entry in our True Blood Forum.
You can view this poster in the True Blood Marketing Gallery.
Discuss this news entry in our True Blood Forum.
