Fox paints U.S. yellow for "Simpsons" DVD

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In one of the biggest DVD promotions this year, 20th Century Fox is kicking off Tuesday's DVD release of "The Simpsons Movie" with events in cities around the country.

At the top of the list is New York, where the Empire State Building will turn "Simpsons" yellow, the landmark tower's first promotion for a movie.

Also in the Big Apple, Bryant Park will host an ice show, a 25-foot inflatable Homer hand and 2,500 mega-donut balloons, and Times Square street teams will distribute yellow Santa hats and line 42nd Street with balloons.

In Los Angeles, holiday elves wearing yellow Santa hats will hand out pink-frosted D'oh!Nut sprinkles, Homer's favorite treat, to commuters downtown, while in Hollywood a "Simpsons" holiday spectacular will boast inflatable Homer Santas, pink-flocked Christmas trees and donut balloons.

In 20 cities, including Salt Lake City, Honolulu and El Paso, pink donut Mylar balloons will be tied to parking meters at high-traffic shopping areas, signifying free parking.

And in 51 cities -- from Mobile, Ala., to Concord, N.H., yellow "Simpsons" Santa hats are being distributed at random locations.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter