Planet Money

On the Oscars campaign trail

44 snips
Mar 8, 2024
In this enlightening discussion, journalist Matt Bellany, who hosts "The Town," dives into the intricate world of Oscars campaigns. He reveals how studios spend millions on strategic outreach and celebrity appearances to influence Academy voters. The conversation uncovers the shift from traditional campaigning to cost-driven strategies, emphasizing the role of streaming giants like Netflix. Bellany highlights the fierce rivalry, such as the intense battle between 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Shakespeare in Love,' illustrating how the stakes have transformed in Hollywood's quest for gold.
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ANECDOTE

Extreme Publicity

  • To promote movies, actors engage in unusual publicity stunts.
  • Examples include Bradley Cooper floating in a freezing river and a dog being treated like a celebrity.
INSIGHT

Oscars as Campaigns

  • Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi naively thought the Oscars were meritocratic.
  • Matt Belloni says they are the result of expensive political campaigns.
INSIGHT

Targeting Voters

  • The key to winning Oscars is getting individual votes.
  • The Academy's members are divided into branches, influencing initial nominations.
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