The Force Awakens Around the World #ForceFriday #StarWars
Star Wars Fans Invited to Join Epic Global Event on YouTube
Can you believe that next week is September already?! This can only mean 1 thing for shoppers everywhere: Star Wars: The Force Awakens merchandise is going to be everywhere! Oh yes! You say Christmas is right around the corner; I say, get your running shoe ready for all of the amazing Star Wars toys, clothes and accessories that are about to hit the shelves everywhere! There is no doubt that, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening in theaters everywhere on December 18, that someone on your list is going to want Star Wars related gifts this holiday season. My son’s birthday is December 6, and I am sure he’s going to want to go to the movies for his birthday and Star Wars is sure to be at the top of his list. In the meantime; there are some pretty amazing events happening around cyberspace to keep us occupied with all things Star Wars!
Toy unboxing phenomenon goes live globally for the first time ahead of ‘Force Friday’
Online event featuring talent from the Maker Studios network gives fans first look at film-inspired toys ahead of midnight madness at retail
Glendale, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2015) – Star Wars: The Force Awakens products are set to be unveiled in the world’s first-ever global live toy unboxing event. Unfolding over 18 hours in 15 cities and 12 countries, the event will see highlights from the range of epic merchandise revealed in a rolling New Year’s Eve style celebration featuring top digital stars from the Maker Studios network.
“Star Wars toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the Saga,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “They’ve inspired multiple generations to relive the experience of the movies and to create new adventures all their own. These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens products will continue that tradition.”
Kicking off in Sydney, Australia on the morning of September 3, and continuing through Asia, Europe, Canada, and North & South America, selections from the new toy line will debut to global fanfare leading up to retailers around the globe opening their doors at midnight.
“Over the course of 18 hours, some of Maker Studios’ biggest stars will each be unboxing a new toy from the Star Wars: The Force Awakens product line in a different city around the world and sharing the experience live on YouTube.” said Leslie Ferraro, President, Disney Consumer Products. “We’ve seen tremendous excitement for these new products and can’t wait to see the global reaction from the Star Wars fan community.”
The Star Wars YouTube channel will host the live stream, which kicks off with the first unboxing in Sydney, Australia at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 3 (5:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2), with the grand finale at Lucasfilm in San Francisco at 8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, Sept. 3. Each of the 15 locations will reveal a new product inspired by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
These “unboxing” videos will feature online personalities sharing the excitement of opening the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys. Unboxing videos overall have captivated millions of Internet viewers and continue to grow in popularity. Eighteen of the top 100 most viewed YouTube Channels worldwide are dedicated to toys and toy unboxings. These 18 channels accounted for 8.1 billion views in Q1 2015.[1]
“We’re excited to be part of this first-of-its-kind initiative,” said Chris M. Williams, Chief Audience Officer, Maker Studios. “The unboxing world continues to expand rapidly as audiences around the world connect with digital creators who share their passions. This shared fandom helps attract billions of monthly views and consistently puts the genre at the top of the YouTube charts.”
The global unboxing event will incorporate traditional toy unboxers such as the popular EvanTubeHD, channels featuring families such as Bratayley, lifehack specialists such as ExpCaseros, gamers such as AlexBy11 and Star Wars fans from around the world, including Chris Pirillo, bringing with them a broad audience and appeal. The global line-up includes:
| COUNTRY | CITY | MAKER TALENT | LOCAL TIME 9/3 | EDT |
| Australia | Sydney | Bratayley | 07:45 | 17:45 9/2 |
| Japan | Tokyo | Einshine | 11:00 | 22:00 9/2 |
| Korea | Seoul | Dollastic | 12:00 | 23:00 9/2 |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Dante Basco | 12:00 | 00:00 9/3 |
| France | Paris | AyPierre | 09:00 | 03:00 9/3 |
| Spain | Madrid | AlexBy11 | 11:00 | 05:00 9/3 |
| Germany | Berlin | Reyst | 12:00 | 06:00 9/3 |
| England | London | GamingBeaver | 11:30 | 06:30 9/3 |
| Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Malena010102 | 08:30 | 07:30 9/3 |
| USA | New York | EvanTubeHD | 08:30 | 08:30 9/3 |
| Canada | Toronto | Quill18 | 09:00 | 09:00 9/3 |
| USA | Chicago | HobbyKidsTV | 08:30 | 09:30 9/3 |
| Mexico | Mexico City | ExpCaseros | 09:30 | 10:30 9/3 |
| USA | San Francisco | Chris Pirillo | 08:00 | 11:00 9/3 |
The full schedule also is available at www.StarWars.com.
Several countries will join the live stream from YouTube Spaces (Berlin, Tokyo, London), with Star Wars commentators Anthony Carboni and Andi Gutierrez hosting the event from the YouTube Space, Los Angeles.
Fans can tune in to watch live unboxings at home or on mobile devices, and also enjoy the latest trailers on the upcoming movie, commentary from special guests, fun product videos and demos, and footage from recent Star Wars events.
The global celebration culminates at midnight local time, when many retailers around the world will open their doors to fans to purchase Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys, collectibles, books, apparel and more. Visit starwars.com for more details on participating locations. Additionally, select Disney Store locations around the world will take part. More details are available at www.DisneyStore.com/ForceFriday.
Fans are encouraged to document their experiences around the event on social media using the hashtag #ForceFriday.
About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that brings our company’s stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps, books and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
About Maker Studios
Maker Studios is the global leader in online short-form video and the largest content network on YouTube. Maker specializes in reaching millennial audiences across multiple programming genres. Maker’s network includes 55,000 independent creators from more than 100 countries, attracting over 10 billion views per month, with a growing scale driven by its robust technology platform, direct-to-consumer distribution and data analytics. Maker is home to many of the world’s leading online talent and award-winning original programs such as “Epic Rap Battles of History.” Maker Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and is headquartered in Los Angeles, with operations in New York, London and Singapore. For more information visit www.makerstudios.com.
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Visit the official STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS website
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS arrives in theaters everywhere on December 18th!
Any Star Wars fans am sure cannot wait to watch this new movie. I am not a fan but am sure many are 🙂
How fun! My brother and In loved SW as children! I bet my son will grow up loving it now that it is coming back! Although, did it ever really die down? haha
I am a great Star Wars fan!
What a great event for Star Wars fans all over the world.
What a fun event!
Interesting event. I am sure a lot of people will be excited for this.
Star Wars fans will be thrilled!!!
We are huge Star Wars fans but I don’t watch that much tv so I didn’t know the release date. Now I’m totally informed and up-to-date. Thanks!
Perfect. I’d already planned on a Star Wars themed birthday party this year, so it will be so easy to get all the decorations now.
I am really excited for all of the Star Wars stuff to be coming out soon. I am so going to be seeing this.
My my, I can’t wait for December to watch Star Wars. This is awesome, I bet the toy they’re unveiling will be flawless… and awesome.
Such an interesting event. my two boys would be excited for this
Big fans ready for a good time. So exciting
I”ll have to let my son know about the livestream! I’m pretty excited about “The Force Awakens” myself!
My family is a huge fan of Star Wars. My boys (husband included) would love these collectibles.
December 18th is the day! I can’t wait! Will see if this new series will be better than episodes 1-3 and as good as 4-6!
My brother has been counting down this movie for forever!
We are long standing Starwars fans in my home. We are counting down till we get to see this movie!!
We are a huge fan of star wars, can’t wait to watch this.
My husband and daughter are Star Wars fans- thanks for the heads up!