So I told you all that we were having a “special guest” at our Saturday morning meeting and we did not disappoint….”Edward”, Robert Pattinson joined us on the 14^th.  He was very accommodating, polite, articulate, and humorous during his on stage interaction, as well as, behind the scenes.  It was much appreciated that he took time out of his schedule to hang out at our little meeting, and he didn’t even bite anyone!  The fans were rabid just as you have seen reported….there were squeals of delight as he was announced and rounded the corner to approach the stage.  I did not expect such a vocalization of joy during a business meeting, but behold the power of Twilight!  Below is just a taste of what was experienced that morning:

Beyond that, our midnight event took stores by storm.  First, we’d like to thank the Twilight fans who helped make this one of our largest DVD launches EVER along with our stores.  So Twilight not only made history for the largest pre-order movie on Walmart.com, but set a record for movie sales day one at Walmart!!

At the Riverton, Utah store we enjoyed an appearance by “Victoria”, Rachelle Lefevre.  She was greeted by hundreds of adoring Twilighters and was very gracious in taking photographs and signing autographs for fans of Twilight.  What a spectacular event across the chain, the stores and fans were so excited.  Our stores did an amazing job and we are receiving emails and pictures from across the Nation telling us how their store “did it up” for the Twilight release.  See below from the Riverton store:

Just so you know, we've never gone so "all out" for a DVD movie release as we are for Twilight...this has bigger elements than the midnight release of Harry Potter!  We were able to secure sweet gifts to give to the first 50 fans in line for the DVD on March 20th...yep, it's a Friday night so don't plan to drag the strip, you need to be in line for your goodies in the 24-hour stores.  Hey, it's Friday night you don't have school on Saturday morning so there's no excuse not to be there Twilighters...whoo hoo!!

We've worked closely with Summit Entertainment to get access to the cast members for our fans, that's right, I said we've secured access to cast members.  Thus far, we have a fan event/interview on blogtakradio with Taylor Lautner, and are working on a "special video greeting" at all stores from a special guest :)

And don't forget about the eBite, too fun, I went on the site this morning and sent one to my supervisor, I'm sure he will enjoy my support...yeah right, only if the eBite actually gives me super human powers.  I'll let you know if that happens later today, I'm still waiting.....

www.walmart.com/twilight

For all those rabid Twilight fans (remember I was "turned" earlier this year), the hype and mania is ramping up for the release of the DVD.  I mean the movie’s November 21, 2008 opening weekend was craaazy, being quickly surpassed by those waiting with baited breath to plop down in the appropriately scouted theater seat. The red velour, the popcorn crunching, the soda slurping, mmmmm. Soon you can bring that to your very own easy chair or puffy couch, snuggle in and grab your refreshments because Wal-Mart’s Twilight release will give you the fastest way to watch your coveted copy on March 21st! 

But don’t forget you can already get to the checkout lanes with your copy of the book series if your behind in your reading along with sweet posters to gaze upon as you peruse the pages while listening to your Twilight soundtrack awaiting the release of the DVD. You may as well utilize your time wisely if you’re not ALREADY a Twilighter. And if you are, you probably have done all of the aforementioned and can’t wait to get your trembling hands on the shirts (very cool), bags, and trinkets once they arrive at stores….you can be Twilight blinged out so to speak.  

Wal-Mart has launched a Web site for Twilight fans www.walmart.com/twilight that will host discussions and post news about the events and activities on the horizon. If you haven’t already, you can check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes movie footage too. In the next few days, you will be able to upload and enhance a digital photo to send an “eBite” to a friend. What’s an eBite you ask….no spoiler here, you’ll have to go check it out, because after all, vampires are all about mystery and intrigue! 

So keep your eye’s peeled for sound “bites” *ha* from me as the shadow of the Twilight event steps into the light and shimmers right before your very eyes. 

 Let the cornucopia of vocal performances commence!  The nominations were announced back in December and the excitement is mounting, at least for me it is, only a couple more weeks.  I love it; I get to watch a plethora of performances, some great and some not so much, but fun nonetheless because even if it’s bad, I can’t seem to turn away.  I will also admit that I really like the array of fashion and styling choices as part of the festivities that are the Grammy’s.  Girlie, yes, but hey I’m a girl!  Lil Wayne, the Jonas Brothers, Coldplay, Kenny Chesney, and Katy Perry are the first performers announced for the 51^st annual Grammy Awards to be broadcast on CBS.

 If you watched the nomination special, you have to wonder as I did when the cameras cut to the Jonas Brothers with Taylor Swift standing front and center; is somebody out to get that one Jonas brother?  How awkward to be famous, you are bound and determined to run into a former flame and with cameras in full force mind you, at least when my relationships end there aren’t cameras documenting my every facial expression and outfit choice…right?  I mean I’m pretty sure I’ve not seen anyone lurking lately so if you are…stop it right now. ha    

Anyway, back to the nominations, there seems to be a theme starting with the beautiful young Swift facilitating the nomination show, so does anyone else see a pattern in many of the Albums and Vocal Performance nominations...hmmm, I can relate *ting*.  Ladies enjoy the sweet flavor of revenge, the anthems of those taken for granted and the bitterness on the tongues of those scorned, those that have loved & lost and those who didn’t have the courage to say what’s in their heart, I present exhibits A-F:

 Adele: Chasing Pavements

CHASING PAVEMENTS

Leona Lewis: Bleeding Love  
BLEEING LOVE

TAKE A BOW

BETTER IN TIME

Pink: So What  

SO WHAT

OneRepublic: Dreaming Out Load

APOLOGIZE  

I have to throw a retro vibe in…I loved Jennifer when she was J-Lo, yep I said it!!  The infamous Versace gown reigned supreme at the 2000 GRAMMY Awards:

"Well Jennifer," co-presenter David Duchovny said, "this is the first time in five or six years that I'm sure that nobody is looking at me."

And that ladies & gents…is the best revenge, look amazing and wear your pride well!!  Enjoy the show.

I’d like to first throw a big “hey ya” over to Ryan while I commence to play off his latest blog.  I too, am not one for resolutions, they always remind me of the things that people say they are going to do, most never do, and they are typically things they should have already been doing so it defeats the purpose of true change to wait until the beginning of the year….if you are truly willing to change, then change in the moment, don’t wait, life is ultimately too short to put things off!  Okay, I just went into a complete rant, whatever.  As I step down off my soap box, which is rather tall because, like Ryan, I am not getting any taller and reach a whooping 5’1”, I must say that 2008 was a great year!

I feel amazing going into 2009, it is going to be a year of challenges, but great expectations lie ahead.  I feel confident we will continue to bring great deals to our customers and that our competition will continue to be admirable foes, great competition helps us all.  We have to approach the coming years differently, but I believe we are all prepared to do so and there is great courage in stepping up to the challenge.  As always, we appreciate all our patrons and colleagues, welcome to 2009!

Have great character…that’s what I’m going to leave you with until my next blog, which will actually be about product or something to do with product :)  

Thanks for a great year,

Tifanie