Marquee Communications

Marquee Communications (sometimes known as Marquee Media Inc. and Marquee Productions) was founded by David Haslam in 1976. The aim of Marquee Communications was to provide complete and up to date information on new feature films (Canadian, American and international), and to comment on the evolving world of film production in an entertaining manner. Due to the overwhelming dominance of Hollywood on this part of the entertainment industry, Marquee published a large proportion of American content. However, Haslam made a concerted effort to publicize and examine Canadian production as well.

Haslam’s flagship publication, Marquee magazine, was active between April/May 1976 and Spring 2004. It typically ran for 30-40 pages and was heavily illustrated. Originally published 4 times a year, it went to 6, then 8, then 10 and finally became a monthly. It was made available primarily in motion picture theatres across Canada, and as a newspaper insert to national and campus newspapers. Its circulation went from 135,000 in its first year to 700,000 at its peak. In 1991 Marquee moved into the field of merchandising and promotions, handling the licensing for many internationally prominent corporations in the Canadian territory. In 2004 Marquee ceased operations. David Haslam passed away in 2011.

2015-06-01

A. Wilson