Cinemark Theatres: Difference between revisions
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In response, the [[United States Department of Justice]], which had appeared at the appeals hearing [[amicus curiae]], filed their own suit against Cinemark while appealing the appellate court's decision. The DOJ argued that, while Cinemark was not technically violating the ADA, it was nevertheless discriminating against handicapped patrons by relegating them to the worst seats in the auditorium. <ref name="ada">[http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cinemark/cinemark4main.htm US Department of Justice vs. Cinemark]</ref> Cinemark responded by filing a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging misconduct on the DOJ's behalf. <ref name="cin">[http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/briefs/cindissbr.pdf Cinemark v United States]</ref> Cinemark's lawsuit was thrown out, and the Department of Justice proceeded with its lawsuit. Cinemark ultimately agreed to [[settle out of court]] before the court came to a ruling, agreeing with the DOJ that it was in the company's best interest to end litigation before a ruling was issued.<ref name="ada" /> Per the terms of the settlement, Cinemark had to agree to renovate all existing theatres to provide wheelchair bound and other handicapped patrons access to rows higher in its theatres, and also had to agree that all future theatres would be constructed so as to allow handicapped patrons better access to higher rows. In turn, the Department of Justice agreed not to bring further litigation against the company in relation to the architecture of stadium seating as it applies to the ADA.<ref name="ada" /> |
In response, the [[United States Department of Justice]], which had appeared at the appeals hearing [[amicus curiae]], filed their own suit against Cinemark while appealing the appellate court's decision. The DOJ argued that, while Cinemark was not technically violating the ADA, it was nevertheless discriminating against handicapped patrons by relegating them to the worst seats in the auditorium. <ref name="ada">[http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cinemark/cinemark4main.htm US Department of Justice vs. Cinemark]</ref> Cinemark responded by filing a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging misconduct on the DOJ's behalf. <ref name="cin">[http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/briefs/cindissbr.pdf Cinemark v United States]</ref> Cinemark's lawsuit was thrown out, and the Department of Justice proceeded with its lawsuit. Cinemark ultimately agreed to [[settle out of court]] before the court came to a ruling, agreeing with the DOJ that it was in the company's best interest to end litigation before a ruling was issued.<ref name="ada" /> Per the terms of the settlement, Cinemark had to agree to renovate all existing theatres to provide wheelchair bound and other handicapped patrons access to rows higher in its theatres, and also had to agree that all future theatres would be constructed so as to allow handicapped patrons better access to higher rows. In turn, the Department of Justice agreed not to bring further litigation against the company in relation to the architecture of stadium seating as it applies to the ADA.<ref name="ada" /> |
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===Gay marriage=== |
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In 2008, CEO Alan Stock donated $9,999 toward the successful passage of [[Calfornia]]'s [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|Proposition 8]], which overrode the decision of the [[California Supreme Court]] establishing same-sex marriage in California as a [[fundamental right]]. An ensuing campaign has been encouraging patrons to see the [[Gus Van Sant]] film [[Milk (film)|''Milk'']], starring [[Sean Penn]] in the title role of assassinated gay-rights activist [[Harvey Milk]], at a competing theater in protest.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/movies/22milk.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Cinemark%20Alan%20Stock%20Proposition%208&st=cse New York Times: ''Activists Seek to Tie ‘Milk’ to a Campaign for Gay Rights '']</ref> Others have called for a more general [[boycott]].<ref>[http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2008/11/cinemark-ceo-do.html Orlando Sentinel: ''Cinemark CEO donates to "Proposition Hate": boycott follows'']</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 19:10, 6 January 2009
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| Company type | Public company (NYSE: CNK) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Plano, Texas |
Key people | Lee Roy Mitchell, co-founder and Chairman of the Board Alan Stock, CEO |
Cinemark Theatres (NYSE: CNK) is a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry with 414 theatres and 4,717 screens in the U.S. and Latin America as of September 30, 2008.
The Cinemark circuit is the third largest in the U.S. with 289 theatres and 3,688 screens in 38 states. They are the most geographically diverse circuit in Latin America with 125 theatres and 1,029 screens in 12 countries.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, Cinemark ranked either #1 or #2 by box office revenues in 22 of their top 25 markets.
Cinemark operates theaters under several names, including Cinemark, Century and CinéArts[1] -- Cinemark's chain of Arthouse theaters.
History
1984 – Theatre exhibition veteran Lee Roy Mitchell and real estate developer Paul Broadhead form Cinemark USA, Inc. Mitchell buys a small chain of Salt Lake City theatres from Consolidated Theatres Co., the first under the Cinemark umbrella.
1986 – Cinemark acquires Entertainment Center of America, which has 80 screens in California, Oregon and Utah. Cinemark acquires 80 screens in Houston, Texas from Cineplex Corp. 10 screens bought from Plitt are converted into discount theatres. Alan W. Stock is hired as Cinemark’s Director of Operations.
1987 – Cinemark hits upon the bright, colorful interior design that suggest glitzy, Art Deco Hollywood. The signature look debuts with the opening of Movies 8 in Texarkana, Texas. The complex includes a 1,100 square-foot video arcade game room, a concept that will be carried over into all theatres.
1988 – Cinemark’s popular cartoon mascot, “Front Row Joe”, is born. Cinemark’s first 12-screen theatres are opened in San Antonio and Austin, Texas.
1989 – Cinemark acquires 150 screens from Premiere Cinemas in Knoxville, Tenn., expanding into such states as Kentucky and Ohio for the first time. Cinemark acquires Frels Theatres in Victoria, Texas.
1990 – Cinemark has a near-record building year, putting 229 screens, half the screens built in the United States that year. Trans-Texas Cinema, with 20 screens, is acquired. The Peble Corporation, with 97 screens, is acquired. Mitchell is elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Theatre Owners.
1991 – Cinemark’s first 16-screen theatre is opened in a suburb of Detroit. A $125-million bond offering through Bear, Stearns & Co. provides Cinemark USA additional capital for expansion.
1992 – Hollywood USA in Garland, Texas, becomes Cinemark’s first “concept” theatre. The company’s first Mama Rugi’s Pizzeria is included in the 15-screen theatre lobby.
1993 – Cinemark opens a 6-screen multiplex in Santiago, Chile- its first venture in Latin America.
1994 – Cinemark opens 4 new theatres in Mexico as a part of a huge expansion throughout that country. Cinemark continues an aggressive building strategy domestically.
1995 – Cinemark opens its largest theatre to date, Cinemark 17, an 85,000 square foot complex in Dallas. Cinemark announces a $100 million expansion in Houston, with 6 new theatres totaling 100 screens. 8 additional theatres totaling 100 screens opened domestically with 50 screens added in Mexico, 7 screens in Chile and 12 screens in Canada.
1996 – Cinemark International begins construction and development on theatres in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Central America. 17 theatres totaling 228 screens added domestically.
1997 – Cinemark adds 12 theatres with 178 screens domestically. Cinemark International opens 13 theatres totaling 123 screens adding Brazil and Peru. Cinemark announces its first All Stadium theatre in Canada.
1998 – Cinemark finalizes an agreement to build IMAX® Theatres in select theatres throughout the world. The company moves into a new 5-story corporate office in Plano, Texas.
1999 – Cinemark opens over 300 screens including entry into new domestic markets such as Kansas City, Washington DC and Cleveland. Cinemark International opens over 150 screens and announces projects in Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
2000 – Cinemark becomes first major motion picture exhibitor to offer real-time online ticketing, allowing patrons to purchase movie tickets on the Internet. Cinemark also begins offering movie showtimes via cell phones and hand-held personal digital assistants. Cinemark begins accepting all major credit cards.
2001 – The Cinemark Holiday Village 4 opens in Park City, UT. The theatre is designated as the “Home of the Sundance Film Festival.” Cinemark introduces the Cinemark Gift Card allowing any amount to be added to the gift card for redemption at the theatre box office or concession stand.
2002 – Cinemark begins offering new release movies in Spanish at the Cinemark 17 in Dallas, TX. Testing begins for online concession purchases with any online ticket purchase.
2003 – Now at 279 theatres with over 3,000 screens worldwide, Cinemark has a strong presence in the motion picture exhibition industry. With 16 theatres in the planning stages, and over 150 screens, Cinemark continues to provide moviegoers around the world with “The Best Seat in Town.”
2004 – Cinemark signs a definitive merger agreement with affiliates of Madison Dearborn Partners, Inc. (MDP) in a transaction valued at approximately $1.5 billion. Cinemark is the third largest theatre exhibitor in the United States. Construction on the 6th IMAX® theatre begins.
2005 – Cinemark acquires an interest in National CineMedia, LLC, (NCM) a venture of the largest theatre owners in the U.S. Cinemark joins other movie theatre operators AMC Entertainment, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group as an owner of NCM, creating a network of approximately 13,000 theatre screens. Cinemark opens its 6th IMAX® theatre in Tarentum, PA. All Cinemark theatres offer online ticketing.
2006 – Cinemark completed its acquisition of Century Theatres, Inc., a national theatre chain headquartered in San Rafael, California with approximately 77 theatres in 12 states, expanding into such states as Alaska, Nevada and South Dakota for the first time.
2007 – Cinemark completed its initial public offering. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol CNK. Cinemark’s first all-digital theatres opened in Bloomingdale, IL and Clackamas (Portland), Or.
Acquisitions: In 1986 Cinemark acquired Entertainment Center of America, which had eighty screens in California, Oregon and Utah. The same year Cinemark also acquired eighty screens in Houston, Texas from Cineplex Corp and bought ten screens from Plitt, converting them into discount theatres. In 1989 Cinemark acquired 150 screens from Premiere Cinemas of Knoxville, TN which allowed expansion into such states as Kentucky and Ohio for the first time. Cinemark also acquired Frels Theatres in Victoria, TX that year. Cinemark acquired both Trans-Texas Cinema, with twenty screens, and The Peble Corporation, with 97 screens, in 1990. In 2006 Cinemark completed its acquisition of Century Theatres, Inc., a national theatre chain headquartered in San Rafael, CA with approximately 77 theatres in twelve states, expanding into such states as Alaska, Nevada and South Dakota for the first time.
International: In 1993 Cinemark opened a six-screen multiplex in Santiago, Chile- its first venture in Latin America. The following year Cinemark opened four new theatres in Mexico as part of a huge expansion throughout that country while continuing an aggressive building strategy domestically. In 1995 Cinemark added 50 screens in Mexico, seven screens in Chile and twelve screens in Canada. During the following year Cinemark International begins construction and development on theatres in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Central America and in 1997 opens thirteen theatres totaling 123 screens adding a presence in Peru. Cinemark also announced its first all-stadium theatre in Canada that year. In 1999 Cinemark International opens over 150 screens and announces projects in Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
FEATURES
Gift Cards: In 2001 Cinemark introduced the Cinemark Gift Card, allowing any amount to be added to the gift card for redemption at the theatre box office or concession stand. On November 17, 2008 Cinemark launched its latest gift card option, the Personalized Gift Card. This option allows customers to upload their own image or photo to a Cinemark Gift Card. Cinemark Gift Cards never expire and do not incur any fees, and they may be reloaded at Cinemark.com or at any Cinemark or Century theatre. A Cinemark Gift Card holder may register their card at Cinemark.com. By doing this they will be able to manage their account, purchase advance tickets online with no service fee (excluding fandango.com purchases), view card activity and reload the card with additional value.
Cinemark personalized gift cards can be purchased online only at Cinemark.com while non-personalized gift cards can be purchased both online and at Cinemark and Century theatres.
Super Savers: Cinemark has Supersaver tickets, which offer a discounted price on purchases of ticket quantities of 50 or more. These tickets are accepted at any Cinemark or Century theatre, have no expiration date, and are great for recognition, employee rewards, marketing programs and gifts. Several levels of Supersavers are available for purchase on Cinemark.com: Platinum, carry no restrictions; Classic, care not valid for special engagements or pass-restricted newly-released films; and IMAX®, which are valid for admission into Cinemark IMAX® theatres.
Showtime Email: Moviegoers can sign up at Cinemark.com to receive a weekly Showtime Email. Those registered will be kept up-to-date on films now playing and coming soon to the user’s selected theatres. They may also receive information on CineArts, IMAX® and discount theatres as well as special events, giveaways, contests and promotions. The weekly Showtime email also provides information on when and how to purchase advance tickets and details on what the discounts and deals are at the concession stands.
Online Ticketing: In 2000 Cinemark became the first major motion picture exhibitor to offer real-time online ticketing, allowing patrons to purchase movie tickets on the Internet. That same year Cinemark also began offering movie showtimes via cell phones and hand-held personal digital assistants.
First Look: In 2005 Cinemark acquired an interest in National CineMedia, LLC, (NCM) a venture of the largest theatre owners in the United States. Cinemark joined other movie theatre operators AMC Entertainment, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group as an owner of NCM, creating a network of approximately 13,000 theatre screens. It is through NCM that Cinemark delivers its pre-feature entertainment, FirstLook. FirstLook combines entertaining shorts with advertising that is updated monthly to provide moviegoers with an exceptional addition to their movie entertainment. [1]
Open-Caption: Cinemark has partnered with InSight Cinema to provide open-captioned films at several of their Cinemark and Century locations. This exceptional service provides deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) audiences entertainment via open-captioned films.
Controversy
United States Department of Justice lawsuits
In 1997, several disabled individuals filed a lawsuit against Cinemark, alleging that their stadium style seats forced anyone in a wheelchair or who was otherwise incapable of climbing steps to sit in the front row of the theatre, effectively rendering them unable to see the screen without assuming a horizontal position. The case was heard in El Paso district court as Lara v. Cinemark USA, where a judge ruled that the architecture of Cinemark's theatres violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ruling was later overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that, according to the ADA, Cinemark only had to provide an "unobstructed view." Since, by sitting in the front row, handicapped patrons' view was only awkward and not technically obscured, Cinemark was not violating the law.[2]
In response, the United States Department of Justice, which had appeared at the appeals hearing amicus curiae, filed their own suit against Cinemark while appealing the appellate court's decision. The DOJ argued that, while Cinemark was not technically violating the ADA, it was nevertheless discriminating against handicapped patrons by relegating them to the worst seats in the auditorium. [3] Cinemark responded by filing a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging misconduct on the DOJ's behalf. [4] Cinemark's lawsuit was thrown out, and the Department of Justice proceeded with its lawsuit. Cinemark ultimately agreed to settle out of court before the court came to a ruling, agreeing with the DOJ that it was in the company's best interest to end litigation before a ruling was issued.[3] Per the terms of the settlement, Cinemark had to agree to renovate all existing theatres to provide wheelchair bound and other handicapped patrons access to rows higher in its theatres, and also had to agree that all future theatres would be constructed so as to allow handicapped patrons better access to higher rows. In turn, the Department of Justice agreed not to bring further litigation against the company in relation to the architecture of stadium seating as it applies to the ADA.[3]
References
1. http://www.nationalcinemedia.com/InTheatreAdvertising/firstLook.aspx