Consumers take a Watchmen HERO Poll

In an online survey developed for the Blu-ray/DVD launch of the Watchmen (Warner Brothers Home Entertainment), participants voted on, among other things, what the world needs in a real, modern-day superhero.

“At some point, everyone dreams about being a superhero.  This fun, informal survey gave people exactly that opportunity,” says Dyan Eaton, Manager of Publicity at Warner Home Entertainment Canada.  “The results provide us with some interesting insights into the minds and characters of Canadians and others from around the world who participated,” Eaton adds.

Survey highlights include:

Which American and Canadian individuals personify a superhero?

• The majority (36.5%) of respondents said that US President Barack Obama personifies today’s modern-day superhero
• The Dalai Lama came in second with 22.4% of the votes
• Angelina Jolie (10.9%) received almost twice as many votes as Bill Gates (5.8%)

In an open-ended question, most Canadians chose Terry Fox as the Canadian superhero, with Pierre Elliot Trudeau a close second.  Wayne Gretzky and David Suzuki were also popular Canadian choices

What should a modern-day superhero do?

• 38.8% said that today’s superhero should stick to the traditional superhero job of stopping crime and war
• Curing disease was second with 19.6%
• Followed by fixing the environment with 16.5%

To benefit only you or only others?

• 25% of respondents said that, if they were to suddenly develop a superhero strength, they would want it to benefit only themselves versus only others (75%)

Superhero powers?

• Time travel (31%) nudged out flight (30.4%) as the preferred superhero strength.  Invisibility ranked third with 14.6% and superhero strength at 12%

Costume?

• The majority identified a mask (38.5%) as the most important accessory.  A cape was second with 18.6% of the votes

Secret headquarters?

• It’s no secret that people would prefer to have their headquarters underground, with 32.1%

Would you keep your superhero ability a secret?

• Almost 90% said they would keep it a secret with 10% claiming they would scream it from the rooftops

The online survey is part of a non-traditional launch strategy for the Watchmen Blu-ray and DVD which defines new social media boundaries as it comes to market this month,” says Eaton.  “This is the first ever Blu-ray DVD to incorporate Facebook Connect, allowing users to interact with their Facebook friends, update their Facebook status while in BD-Live, and invite their Facebook friends to a Live Community Screening,” Eaton says.

From Director, Zack Snyder, Watchmen is a story about superheroes who have banded together to respond to a murder of one of their own.