AMC leader floats ‘texting friendly’ theaters idea, gets immediate dislikes (with poll)

During CinemaCon this week in Las Vegas, Variety magazine interviewed Adam Aron, the new head of Kansas City-based AMC Entertainment.

Though he’s been CEO for less than four months, he’s been making waves, including announcing last month that AMC would buy Carmike to become the largest theater chain in the country. If the deal goes through (it still needs regulatory approval), the combined chain would have 8,380 screens.

During the Variety interview, Aron talked about the three demographics he wants to target — avid movie-goers, competitors’ customers and millennials who don’t go to the movies.

About that last group, Aron said he would consider allowing texting in theaters.

“When you tell a 22-year-old to turn off the phone, don’t ruin the movie, they hear please cut off your left arm above the elbow. You can’t tell a 22-year-old to turn off their cellphone. That’s not how they live their life.

“At the same time, though, we’re going to have to figure out a way to do it that doesn’t disturb today’s audiences.”

One solution, Aron said, might be taking “specific auditoriums and make them more texting friendly.”

Reaction to the news has been swift and immediately negative.

Do you agree? Take our poll.

AMC was founded in Kansas City in 1920 when brothers Edward, Maurice and Barney Dubinsky bought the Regent Theater, then located near 12th and Walnut streets. The three settled in Kansas City, changed their name to Durwood, and Edward’s son Stan went on to become the company’s longtime CEO as it grew into one of the largest theater chains in the country.

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 9:45 AM with the headline "AMC leader floats ‘texting friendly’ theaters idea, gets immediate dislikes (with poll)."