FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Corporate Communications 214/854-3190   BLOCKBUSTER®, AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE LAUNCH NEW ALLIANCE WITH 'AFI's 100 YEARSÖ100 MOVIES' CELEBRATION DALLAS, June 15, 1998 -- Blockbuster and the American Film Institute (AFI) have entered into a relationship that kicks off today with Blockbuster's support for the AFI's 18-month celebration of the 100th anniversary of American movies. The announcement was made at the summer meeting of the AFI's board of trustees on June 11 in Los Angeles by Blockbuster Chairman & CEO John Antioco, AFI Board Chairman Tom Pollock and AFI Director & CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg. To launch the new alliance, Blockbuster is providing a $2 million sponsorship of the "AFI's 100 YearsÖ100 Movies" celebration. The festivities begin with a 3-hour television special on CBS during which the AFI will unveil its list top 100 movies of all time. The special is followed one week later by the first of a 10-part series on TNT that provides an in-depth look at the 100 films. A three-month tour of movie memorabilia, called Blockbuster Legends, kicks off June 17 in New York City to bring the celebration to communities across the country. "Blockbuster recognizes the invaluable role of the American Film Institute in preserving and promoting the rich history of American film that is now available on home video," said Antioco. "By joining in a long-term relationship with the AFI, and supporting the '100 Years' celebration, we are helping to boost public interest in the timeless films that are the core of Blockbuster's rental library." The Blockbuster/AFI relationship includes the following programs: "AFI's 100 YearsÖ100 Movies" television special Blockbuster is a major sponsor in the 3-hour "AFI's 100 YearsÖ100 Movies" special that will air Tuesday, June 16 on CBS detailing the 100-year history of movies in America and announcing the top 100 movies of all time. Advertising during the special will feature Blockbuster's comprehensive film library and a Blockbuster GiftCard series featuring great American movies. 10-part series on TNT Blockbuster is also sponsoring a 10-part series of one-hour programs, airing Wednesdays beginning June 23 on TNT. Each program examines 10 of the 100 movies under a special theme. Wallet-size reference guide of top 100 movies Customers who make a $1 donation to the AFI will receive a wallet-size reference guide of the AFI's list of the top 100 movies that contains a coupon good for one rental of a Blockbuster Favorites movie at participating stores and a membership application for the AFI. At Blockbuster stores, each of the 100 films will be identified with a gold "AFI's 100 YearsÖ100 Movies" sticker. In-store monitors will run a special video about the top 100 movies. The top 100 movies were chosen at the end of 1997 by more than 1,500 leaders from across the American film community. All movies on the list are feature-length fiction films made in English with significant creative and/or financial production elements from the United States. "Movies are part of our unique American heritage," said Antioco. "This list of the 100 greatest movies is almost a test of our cultural literacy. Everyone who sees the lists is reminded of movies they want to see again or movies they somehow managed to miss." AFI relationship visible in Blockbuster stores The new relationship will be visible at the 4,000 U.S. Blockbuster stores, where special kiosks celebrating the "AFI's 100 YearsÖ100 Movies" program will be on display. Many Blockbuster stores will feature special AFI-themed display sections featuring titles from the top 100 list. "Blockbuster Legends" memorabilia tour As part of the celebration, Blockbuster is conducting a nationwide "Blockbuster Legends" movie memorabilia tour that begins today in New York City and showcases some of the most historic pieces from American film assembled for a touring collection. The collection includes museum-quality pieces from some of Hollywood's classic films, such as the 1972 "Best Picture" Oscar for "The Godfather," the pharaoh's throne from the 1956 epic "The Ten Commandments," the costumes for all four of "The Untouchables" (1987) and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones' black suits from "Men In Black" (1997). The Blockbuster Legends Ultimate Memorabilia Collection tour will travel to New York City; Seaside Heights, N.J.; Boston; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Richmond, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta; Jacksonville, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; Memphis, Tenn.; St. Louis; Kansas City, Mo.; Dallas; Denver; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Seattle; Sacramento; Los Angeles; San Diego; Minneapolis; Milwaukee, and Detroit. Web site links During the Blockbuster Legends tour, Blockbuster Online at www.blockbuster.com will be linked to AFI Online at www.afi.100movies.com. Both sites will have the complete list of the top 100 movies. AFI is the preeminent national organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI's programs promote innovation and excellence through teaching, presenting, preserving and redefining the moving image. Additional information about AFI can be found by visiting its website at www.afionline.org. Blockbuster operates approximately 6,000 Blockbuster Video and 400 Blockbuster Music neighborhood entertainment stores in the United States, its territories and 26 other countries and may be accessed internationally at www.blockbuster.com. Blockbuster is a unit of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace. ### |  Current Releases   |  Archives   | BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. © 1998 Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.