GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks
Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that DreamWorks
Classics will make its debut at MIPCOM 2012, bringing to worldwide
telecasters a comprehensive television portfolio highlighted by
DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, which is inspired by
DreamWorks Animation's beloved How to Train Your Dragon film
franchise, and an all-new television series based on the studio's
upcoming animated feature film Turbo.
"DreamWorks Classics is now the home of an expansive collection
of high-quality properties that will resonate with a worldwide
audience, and we are proud to make our MIPCOM debut this year,
spearheaded by DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, one of
our premiere television series based on our blockbuster film,
together with Turbo, one of our most highly-anticipated
future franchises," said Kelley
Avery, Worldwide Head of Franchise Strategy and Distribution
at DreamWorks Animation.
"Over the last four years DreamWorks Animation has proven to be
a consistently successful producer of CG animated television
content with its three series already in existence," said Classic
Media Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Ellenbogen. "I believe that our
longstanding success in the family market combined with DreamWorks
Animation's unparalleled original content will present many
exciting growth opportunities for DreamWorks Classics in the
future."
DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk is inspired by the
studio's popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise, of
which the second and third feature film installments are due in
theaters on June 20, 2014 and
June 18, 2016, respectively. The
television series debuted in the U.S. on Cartoon Network in
September of 2012 airing in 99 million U.S. homes and 178 countries
around the world. Since its launch the series has consistently held
the #1 timeslot across all television with boys 2-11 and 6-11,
according to Nielson Media Research, and features much of the voice
cast from the Academy Award-nominated 2010 film, including Jay
Baruchel, America Ferrera,
Christopher Mintz-Plasse and
T. J. Miller.
Also highlighting the DreamWorks Classics portfolio at MIPCOM
2012 is the all-new CG animated television series Turbo,
based on the upcoming DreamWorks Animation 3D feature film of the
same name. The movie tells the story of a garden snail with an
impossible dream: to win the Indy 500. When a freak accident gives
him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make this dream
come true. The film stars Ryan
Reynolds, Paul Giamatti,
Michael Pena, Luis Guzman, Bill
Hader, Richard Jenkins,
Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez, Maya
Rudolph, Ben Schwartz,
Kurtwood Smith, Snoop Lion and Samuel L.
Jackson. It will be released in theaters on July 19, 2013.
Two Emmy Award-winning CG animated television series inspired by
other DreamWorks Animation film franchises currently air on
Nickelodeon. Kung Fu Panda:
Legends of Awesomeness debuted in November of 2011 and
Penguins of Madagascar in
March 2009. Both highly-rated
programs air in approximately 140 countries, reaching over 450
million households worldwide. Nickelodeon will also debut a future
Monsters vs. Aliens television series.
Beginning with The Croods on March
22, 2013, all feature films from DreamWorks Animation will
be distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. Rise of the
Guardians, which will be released in theaters on November 21, 2012, will be distributed by
Paramount Pictures.
This makes DreamWorks Animation the first major film studio to
debut at MIPCOM in more than a decade. In addition to the original
CG animated television productions from DreamWorks Animation,
DreamWorks Classics will represent Classic Media's well-known
movies, series and specials. The DreamWorks Classics sales team,
headed by London-based
Chloe Van Den Berg, will attend
MIPCOM on October 8-11, 2012 in
Cannes, France along with Avery
and Peter Gal, Head of Television
Development at DreamWorks Animation.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment,
including CG animated feature films, television specials and series
and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the
world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and
experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and
techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100
Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for
four consecutive years. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation ranks #14 on
the list and is also designated as one of the 50 Most Innovative
Companies by MIT's Technology Review.
All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced
in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 24 animated
feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek,
Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your
Dragon. The Company's theatrical releases for the current year
are Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted on June 8, 2012 and Rise of the Guardians on
November 21, 2012.
About DreamWorks Classics
DreamWorks Classics was formed from DreamWorks Animation's
acquisition earlier this year of Classic Media, owners of one of
the most extensive portfolios of long-enduring family entertainment
franchises, including Casper the Friendly
Ghost®, Where's Waldo?®,
Lassie®, The Lone Ranger®,
George of the Jungle® and Rocky &
Bullwinkle™. DreamWorks Classics will represent both the
original CG animated television productions from DreamWorks
Animation, including DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk and
an all-new television series based on the studio's upcoming
animated feature film Turbo, along with Classic Media's
well-known movies, series and specials.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The Company's expectations regarding the timing
and impact of the acquisition on the Company's business and
revenues, and the Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals
and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our
current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and
storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current
expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the
industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and
assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which
are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from
those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes
in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory
factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation
of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and
uncertainties include: satisfaction of closing conditions in the
acquisition agreement, our ability to integrate the operations of
Classic Media and exploit its portfolio of properties, audience
acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited
number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and
marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of
rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment
and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or
develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and
risks involved in the development and production of animated
feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in
this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of
such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent
annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and
expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.