COLUMBUS (WCMH) – The CEO of AMC Theatres says his company is considering loosening its ban on texting during movies.
In an interview with Variety Magazine, AMC CEO Adam Aron said his company is looking for ways to reshape the movie-going experience so that millennials go to movie theaters as often as baby boomers did before them.
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.
Aron told the magazine they need to find a way to do it that doesn’t disturb existing audiences. Options include texting sections in auditoriums or making specific auditoriums more texting friendly.
Since the article was published Wednesday, Aron has been subjected to social media outrage on the subject.
#Stockadvice dump #AMC .@CEOAdam Adam Aron must be an idiot if he thinks more txting in theater is a smart idea https://t.co/TurGYAlfnq— Brian Erzen (@ErzenDesign) April 14, 2016
Apparently @CEOAdam is determined to ensure my moviegoing experience happens anywhere except @AMCTheatres. #WatchNowTextLater— Gary Miereanu (@SuperPRGuy) April 14, 2016
@alanarusso @fuggirls @CEOAdam AMC should really be digging in their heels & saying they’ll double down on keeping phones OUT of theaters— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) April 13, 2016
Aron took to Twitter early Thursday morning to clarify his statements.
Press reported we considering a test allowing texts in a VERY FEW screens. We know vast majority of audience wants no texting (1 of 2)— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) April 14, 2016
IF ever, we ONLY would pursue in a way we’d be TOTALLY confident ALL our guests will fully enjoy movie going experience at AMC (2 of 2)— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) April 14, 2016
AMC is the second largest theater chain in the country and is poised to become the largest after acquiring Carmike Cinemas. AMC operates five locations in the Columbus area including Lennox Town Center, Easton, Dublin, Grove City and Hilliard.