Movie marketing veteran Gerry Rich appeared on Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast to discuss his new memoir, “Chasing Hollywood: A Marketing Chief’s Lessons on Breaking Through.” He has worked with major studios including Paramount, Columbia Pictures, MGM, Miramax and Amazon MGM Studios.
Rich recalled the run-up to “Iron Man” in 2008, when some in the industry questioned whether the character could attract a broad audience, whether Robert Downey Jr. was right for the role and whether director Jon Favreau could deliver the film’s scale.
The marketing team held back footage until Comic-Con in 2007. Favreau and the crew presented a teaser and clips there, and the audience embraced the film, Rich said.
