'Quantum of Solace' Promotional Partners Line Up

With the theatrical debut of Quantum of Solace only a few months away, the numerous promotional partners that will showcase their brands in the film are beginning to line up.

Variety reports that several companies previously featured in Daniel Craig’s James Bond debut in Casino Royale will be returning once again, including: Ford Motors, Heineken beer, Smirnoff vodka, Omega watches, Virgin Atlantic, Sony Ericsson cell phones and other Sony electronics.

While distributor Sony Pictures declined to disclose exactly how much is being spent, the number is expected to be around the same amount for Casino Royale–which had a $100 million (£50 million) worldwide advertising campaign.

Olga Kurylenko, who stars as Bond girl Camille, is promoting the Heineken brand and Ford’s all new car, the Ford Ka.

‘Our long association with James Bond has helped enhance the profile of the Heineken brand across the world,’ said Stefan Orlowski, group commerce director for Heineken. The company previously used a similar marketing tactic in 2006 when Bond girl Eva Green was featured in their campaign, which included television commercials.

The Ford Ka will begin to roll out in Europe around the Bond film release date in early November. A special edition ‘Solace’-themed Ka will be sold that features metallic gold paint and exterior graphics. The Volvo, Range Rover and other Ford vehicles also make appearances in Quantum of Solace.

As was the case with Casino Royale, the number of promotional partners for the 22nd Bond film is being limited by Sony and Eon Productions to about ten. This sparked from the promo overload of some 20 tie-ins in Die Another Day (which was coined ‘Buy Another Day’ by some critics because of it).

The multi-media campaign, expected to start in October, will include TV, print, radio, online and other advertising to launch in 40 countries.

CommanderBond.net will continue to keep you up-to-date with all the latest news regarding Quantum of Solace. Just keep your eyes on the main page for complete coverage.

'Hurricane Gold' Collector's Edition Coming In October

Literary 007 collector’s take notice. This October will see the release of a signed and limited edition of Charlie Higson’s fourth Young James Bond novel, Hurricane Gold.

Publisher Puffin Books has confirmed to the Young Bond Dossier that the book will be an in-store Waterstone’s exclusive.

This collector’s edition hardback (including a special slipcase) will likely be limited to only 999 signed copies, as was the case for similar editions of SilverFin, Blood Fever and Double or Die before it. The expected retail price is £25.

Cover artwork is yet to be revealed.

As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest Young Bond coverage.

James Bond Maze Has A Licence To Thrill

A James Bond-themed maze in Devon has a licence to thrill, reports the BBC News.

Crowds of people are visiting a farm in Bickleigh to view the maze, created from thousands of maize plants. Designed to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming, the maze features Bond along with his iconic Aston Martin car.

The 10-acre maze is run by Janice Lee of Upincott Farm. The Bond image was designed by her daughter Katie as part of a diversification programme.

‘We’re a working farm and times have been difficult, so this has helped,” said Ms. Lee. ‘They want to see [the Bond maze], so people are coming prepared with their wellies because it is so muddy.’

The maze will be open to the public until 7 September. Click here for a snapshot of the image.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news on Bond-related events happening around the world.

'The Cars of James Bond' Coming In September '08

An upcoming DVD documentary entitled The Cars of James Bond is slated to be released in the UK next month.

While information regarded this upcoming release is limited at the moment, the title will be distributed by Duke International, a leader in the powersport sector of the UK video market, and will retail for £12.99. Release date is 29 September.

007 fans in Australia will also be able to pre-order The Cars of James Bond online as it is scheduled for a Region 4 release on 23 October.

• Order The Cars of James Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order The Cars of James Bond from EzyDVD.com.au

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond news from around the world.

James Bond On Blu-Ray Coming To Australia

007 fans in Australia luckily won’t have to wait too much longer for the arrival of James Bond on Blu-ray.

The first wave of Bond titles (Dr. No, From Russia With Love and Thunderball, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only and Die Another Day) are scheduled to be released for Region 4 on Wednesday, 12 November 2008–just a few weeks behind the Region 1 and 2 release dates in late October.

Each title will retail for $39.83 and is currently available to order at EzyDVD.com.au:

REGION 4

James Bond On Blu-ray
Complete CommanderBond.net Coverage
Latest news, cover artwork, worldwide release dates, ordering details, special features and much more.

Casino Royale Three-Disc Collector’s Edition
Complete CommanderBond.net Coverage
Latest news, cover artwork, worldwide release dates, ordering details, special features and much more.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest news about James Bond’s arrival on Blu-ray.

August 007th Podcast Has Arrived…

Dunph

The competition to win an iPod Nano is open to every CommanderBond.net Enhanced Podcast listener. To enter, answer the questions heard in the CBn Podcast and e-mail it to me (Subject: CAT) by Midnight GMT on 007th September 2008 (simply click on the link in this paragraph to e-mail me, flower).

All those who answer correctly will be put into a drawing and the winner will be sent an e-mail to the address they have provided. The winner must respond to this e-mail within three (3) days with the requested information (name, mailing address, etc) or another drawing will be held. The winner will be announced once shipping information has been received. The item will be shipped from the UK. In the event that a prize has been stolen or mishandled during shipment, CBn will not be able to replace the specific item—this has yet to be a problem, so fear not. The editor’s (Dunph’s) decision is final and completely unbiased.

So: how to download the podcast… If you’re subscribed via iTunes, then under your Podcast section, click the ‘Update’ button to have this new episode downloaded automatically. If you have iTunes installed Click here to subscribe, or you can find more details on how to do this here.

We ask that you take a few seconds whilst you’re downloading to review the podcast on iTunes or Digg this article (link at the bottom of the page with a snazzy new graphic button), to spread the word to other 007 fans. Go on. Spread.

Download Enhanced Video version (Presented in WILLNOWVISION).

Download Standard version.

You can download all episodes directly from the bottom of this page, if you can’t be bothered faffing around through iTunes.

Evan and I are always ready and willing to take your feedback on this podcast episode in this thread of the CommanderBond.net Forum. So do be a good sport and pop along, won’t you? Show us some love.

Win Tickets To Charlie Higson's 'By Royal Command' Preview

CommanderBond.net first alerted readers back in June that Young James Bond author Charlie Higson would be appearing at this year’s Edinburgh Book Festival to give fans a sneak peek at his fifth novel in the series, By Royal Command.

Now, literary 007 fans can win a pair of tickets to the event absolutely free courtesy of The Big Issue in Scotland.

To enter the competition, fans need to answer a Bond trivia question and then email (with “HIGSON” in subject line) the answer along address and contact details to: [email protected].

The Big Issue in Scotland currently have five pairs of tickets to give away. Competition closes on 21 August.

Higson will be appearing at the Edinburgh Book Festival’s ‘Big Issue Event’ on Saturday, 23 August at 1:30pm (located at the RBS Main Theatre). For additional details, visit the official website.

Keep watching the CBn main page for all the latest Young Bond news as the By Royal Command release date–3 September–draws closer.

• Order the UK hardback edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk

'My Word Is My Bond' UK And New York Book Signings

Last month, CommanderBond.net reported that Sir Roger Moore would be embarking upon a worldwide tour to promote his upcoming autobiography, My Word Is My Bond, scheduled for publication in October.

Today we can update 007 fans with dates and locations for the book signings that will take place in the UK and New York.

As a general note, Sir Roger will only be signing copies of My Word Is My Bond, and not other James Bond-related books. Queues will be formed on a first come, first served basis.

UK

Wednesday, 15 October 2008
5:30pm
Waterstones Piccadilly
203-206 Piccadilly
W1J 9LE

Friday, 17 October 2008
5:30pm
Waterstones Bluewater
West Village, Greenhithe
Bluewater DA9 9SE

Wednesday, 22 October 2008
1:30pm
Waterstones Norwich (Castle Street)
11-17 Castle Street
Norwich NR2 1PB

---

New York City

Friday, 7 November 2008
12:30pm
Barnes & Noble
555 Fifth Ave at 46th St
New York, NY 10017

Saturday, 8 November 2008
7:00pm
Book Revue (Talk/Q & A/Booksigning)
313 New York Ave
Huntington, NY 11743

Tuesday, 11 November 2008
7:00pm
Bookends (Talk/Book Signing)
232 E. Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Additionally, Sir Roger will also be signing his autobiography after his discussion at London’s National Theatre on 16 October. Further details available here.

My Word is My Bond will be published on 2 October in the UK and 4 November in the US. Pre-order online:

• Order the UK hardback edition of My Word is My Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK paperback edition of My Word is My Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of My Word is My Bond from Amazon.com

New James Bond Exhibition Planned For Keswick

007 fans in Keswick will be treated to an all-new James Bond exhibition next spring–reports the News & Star.

Peter Nelson, organizer of the town’s Cars of the Stars exhibition–which currently features several vehicles from the Bond films–has plans to develop nearby trading estate space into a brand new exhibition dedicated solely to 007.

Nelson states that he currently lacks the necessary space to showcase his complete Bond collection, which includes more than 20 cars from the films, Scaramanga’s weapon of choice from The Man With The Golden Gun, plus numerous other gadgets.

He said: ‘Desmond Llewellyn, who played the inventor Q, was a great friend. I have got some of the great iconic pieces from the films including some of the Q gadgets. I think I have the best Bond collection in the world. This scheme could have a huge, beneficial effect for Keswick.’

‘I want to make it different,’ he continued, stressing the importance of an education factor in the display. ‘There is so much science involved in the Bond stories.’

Nelson hopes to arrange discussions by authorities on Ian Fleming and is also a close friend of Sir Roger Moore’s personal assistant. ‘I want to engage with young people and use the building in the evenings,’ he said.

‘Bond is synonymous with fitness and sports like judo, karate and fencing, so we will be able to put on displays by experts and bring in stunt men to develop the adventure theme,’ he added. ‘I think this will be a great thing for Keswick and I can envisage it leading to other events and maybe a James Bond convention because the book and films are so popular. The real icing on the cake would be if we could persuade the film-makers to come to the area when they make the next Bond movie.’

‘I have put everything into this project, but it will be well worth it. I have spent ten years looking for the ideal place and subject to planning permission, I could start work on it in October and have the place open next spring.’

Click here to visit the current Cars of the Stars Museum website.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news on Bond-related events happening around the world.

The Blades Library Book Club: SeaFire

Welcome back to The Blades Library Book Club – the place for quality discussions of the books of James Bond!

Every two months a James Bond 007 novel is chosen for the club members to read. A thread is posted in the club forums listing locations on where you can find the novel. Discussions about the book will go on as the book is read and when it is finished. Another thread will be created so that club members can post their review and give a rating on the current book.

All fans of the Literary Bond are eligible for membership. All you need to do to sign up is register on the CBn Forums (it’s free and only takes a minute) and then post your name in the sign up thread.

The Book Club’s 28th Book

Currently we are progressing though the James Bond 007 novels in chronological order, since quite a number of members are using the club as an opportunity to read the books for the very first time. The club has just finished all fourteen of the Ian Fleming novels as well as the one-time-only Bond novel by Kingsley Amis, Colonel Sun. Most recently, the club moved onto the John Gardner era, and now continues with his thirteenth novel: 1994’s SeaFire.

Obtaining The Book

Ordering online should be fairly easy. SeaFire can be ordered online (although in used condition) from the following sources:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com
• eBay

Discuss other places to buy SeaFire or where you got your copy in this thread.

Discuss The Book While Reading

Want to talk about the book while reading it? Post a new thread in The Blades Library.

Review And Rate The Book

After you have finished reading SeaFire, you can discuss it with other club members in The Blades Library, and give the book your personal rating out of five in this thread.

If you have any questions or suggestions just post them in a new thread. Happy reading.

*New* Archive Of All Past Read Books

Additionally, club members can review or comment on any of the past read books in the club any time they want. Click here for the full archive of the past read books in the club.

Previous Books Read

• Never Send Flowers: June 2008 – July 2008
• Death Is Forever: April 2008 – May 2008
• The Man From Barbarossa: February 2008 – March 2008
• Brokenclaw: December 2007 – January 2008
• Win, Lose Or Die: October 2007 – November 2007
• Scorpius: August 2007 – September 2007
• No Deals, Mr. Bond: June 2007 – July 2007
• Nobody Lives Forever: April 2007 – May 2007
• Role Of Honour: February 2007 – March 2007
• Icebreaker: December 2006 – January 2007
• For Special Services: October 2006 – November 2006
• Licence Renewed: August 2006 – September 2006
• Colonel Sun: June 2006 – July 2006
• Octopussy & The Living Daylights: April 2006 – May 2006
• The Man With The Golden Gun: February 2006 – March 2006
• You Only Live Twice: December 2005 – January 2006
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: October 2005 – November 2005
• The Spy Who Loved Me: August 2005 – September 2005
• Thunderball: June 2005 – July 2005
• For Your Eyes Only: April 2005 – May 2005
• Goldfinger: February 2005 – March 2005
• Doctor No: December 2004 – January 2005
• From Russia, With Love: September 2004 – November 2004
• Diamonds Are Forever: July 2004 – August 2004
• Moonraker: May 2004 – June 2004
• Live and Let Die: May 2003 – June 2003
• Casino Royale: March 2003 – April 2003