An ICv2 release.  ICv2, with the support of sponsors Topps and Diamond Comic Distributors, is kicking off the Star Wars leg of its 'May Movie Moolah' promotion today, which includes prize drawings, a display contest with major prizes (including prizes from the sponsors above and from WizKids, LLC and prize sponsors Dark Horse Comics and Ballantine Books), and more information on successfully merchandising movie merchandise.

As this is written, you can still enter the May Movie Moolah Display Contest.  Retailers have until 5 p.m. May 8th to get in their entries, which are as simple as a single photo and a few words (see 'May Movie Moolah Display Contest').  With prizes worth $2000, $1000, and $600 for the first, second, and third place finishers in this contest, it's definitely worth entering, especially since it's so easy.  The sponsors (and Dark Horse and Ballantine, who are prize sponsors) have contributed a complete Marvel HeroClix set, a complete set of Dark Horse Star Wars trade paperbacks, Topps Spider-Man and Star Wars Episode II uncut sheets and boxes of cards, prize packs from Diamond, and more!  In a few days, we'll begin showing you the winners.  Enter today; you could be one of them! 

The huge opening of the Spider-Man movie gives a great jump-start to the movie merchandise business for the summer.   The next big event comes on May 17, when Star Wars Episode II opens, presenting a second major May merchandising opportunity.  Based on the early word from those that have seen the movie (including Ain't It Cool News' Harry Knowles), it looks like Attack of the Clones will get a much better response from the fan audience (which shops at pop culture stores) than Episode I did.  This improved response to the movie among the fan base, along with the more subdued merchandising programs for Episode II, will make it much easier for pop culture retailers to sell Episode II merchandise than it was to sell Episode I. 

Topps and Diamond are each running an exciting drawing for retailers, with great Star Wars prizes, and it's easy to enter.  Here's how:

Topps -- Register To Win Uncut Sheets

Topps does not let its uncut sheets out lightly, and as a result they're highly prized by collectors.  That makes them valuable in their own right, as well as cool items to hang in your store or to use as promotional items.  With 100 images, these are great collectibles.  Topps made both Spider-Man and Star Wars uncut sheets available as part of this promotion.  Entries are closed for the Spider-Man sheets; the winners will be announced shortly.  Now it's time to register for the Star Wars Attack of the Clones sheets.  You get three chances to win, and the prizes are up to five uncut sheets.  You may enter here even if you entered (or won) the drawing for Spider-Man uncut sheets.  Click here to register for FREE uncut sheets of the Topps Star Wars Attack of the Clones Movie Cards. 

Diamond Comic Distributors -- Register To Win Gentle Giant Star Wars Attack of the Clones Mini-Busts!

These 6' tall, fully painted mini-busts include Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Mace Windu.  Each mini-bust is produced from a digital scan of the actors, costumes, and props from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones! Produced in quantities of 2,500 each.  On sale June 12.  You may enter here even if you entered (or won) the drawing for Diamond Select Spider-Man or Green Goblin busts.  Click here to register to win Gentle Giant Star Wars Mini-busts.

For a list of the broad array of Star Wars Attack of the Clones products that Diamond Comic Distributors stocks, including product numbers, see 'Diamond Has Great Star Wars Merchandise.'

During the first few weeks of our May Movie Moolah promotion (see 'Retailers--It's May Movie Moolah!' for the kick-off article), we ran a number of articles with useful information on retailing movie merchandise, most based on conversations with retailers on their tips and tricks:

We talked to two retailers in different parts of the country about how they successfully retail entertainment trading cards.  Find out how Dave's Comics in Richmond, Virginia and Night Flight in Salt Lake City do it in 'Merchandising Entertainment Cards.'

Len Katz of Joker's Child in Fairlawn, New Jersey, gave us tips on his strategies for selling movie-based merchandise in 'Moving Movie Merchandise, Part II.'

For an enlightening interview with Long Beach retailer Darin Erickson on how he's successful with movie merchandise despite close competition from a discount chain, see 'Moving Movie Merchandise, Part I.' 

For an overview of the movie merchandise business, see 'Navigating the Movie Merchandise Minefield.'  

For a look at the 2002 movies, and which ones might be merchandising powerhouses, see 'Best in Shows -- 2002.'

For a list of the broad array of Spider-Man products that Diamond Comic Distributors stocks, including product numbers, see 'Diamond Has Great Spider-Man Merchandise.'

For full lists of the prizes for the May Movie Moolah Display Contest, click on the links below:

Click here for the First Prize lists, worth over $2000.

Click here for the Second Prize lists, worth over $1000.