Acclaimed Internet marketing company, BuzzPlant, is partnering with Icon Films to lead all Internet promotions for Mel Gibson’s highly anticipated The Passion of the Christ, releasing to theaters Feb. 25.

Applauded by religious leaders worldwide for vividly and accurately depicting the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life, The Passion of the Christ’s online grassroots campaign is directed exclusively by BuzzPlant. Brought on board by Fuzebox Media, an alliance of organizations that works together on entertainment projects, the significant Internet operation focuses primarily on requests for digital media from churches and organizations nationally, as well as scheduling and executing all email servicing, advertising on hundreds of websites, SMS text messaging to cell phones and the development of websites for additional grassroots promotions.

A current BuzzPlant project for The Passion of the Christ can be found at www.thepassion.tv, allowing the film trailer to be emailed to friends’ computers and phones. Two other developments include the student mobilizer site, www.StudentsHavePassion.com, and RSVP management site, www.invitetothepassion.com, both launching this Friday, January 23.

“We are humbled to participate in the release of The Passion of the Christ,” says BuzzPlant founder, Bob Hutchins. “When Denny Dansereau from Fuzebox approached us about being involved in the project, we didn’t think twice about it. After see the film at a screening here in Nashville, we knew this was going to impact thousands of people.

“It’s incredible to see so many organizations, both mainstream and CBA, cooperating to promote an event effectively. The massive traffic on BuzzPlant’s media servers and databases confirm that the film’s release next month will be exciting.”

Already a success, the grassroots campaign for pre-ordered ticket sales has secured a widespread debut for The Passion of the Christ. The early demand has prompted distributor Newmarket Films to open the movie on 2,000 screens nationwide, a notably large release for an independent film. In comparison, The Gospel of John drew national media attention showing on just 113 screens; Luther hit a maximum of 400 screens; and Gods & Generals, 1,533. For more information on the film, visit www.thepassionofthechrist.com.

For more information on Internet promotions for The Passion of the Christ, visit www.buzzplant.com. Fuzebox Media can me reached at www.fuzeboxmedia.com.

In addition to the success with Gibson’s film, BuzzPlant continues to receive applause from other clients. Utilizing its online promotions, design and consulting for several years, INO/M2.0 Records’ Director of Marketing and Promotions, Dan Michaels, says about BuzzPlant, "We have seen significant growth to our opt-in email subscribers and quantifiable information that consumers are using our online tools. From design to promotion to technical input, BuzzPlant has excelled in all of our marketing plans and is a crucial partner in our promotional needs.”

“BuzzPlant is the perfect balance of marketing and Internet technology,” says Mark Campbell, Integrity Music’s Sr. Director of Marketing, who has worked with BuzzPlant for two years.

BuzzPlant was created in 2001 by Bob Hutchins, Internet marketing industry veteran and former vice president of marketing and development for Global Tech Resources and The Christian Interactive Network. As a multipurpose Internet marketing agency that develops and creates awareness and demand on a grassroots basis for music artists and companies in the CBA industry, BuzzPlant’s client roster includes such well known entities as Warner Bros. Records, INO Records, Inpop Records, Rocketown Records, Crowne Music Group, Integrity Media, Flicker Records, John Tesh, World Vision, !Hero The Rock Opera, Curb Records and Zondervan Publishing.