DreamWorks Animation Announces Megaslate of Promotional Partner & Licensing Support for Megamind

GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced its megaslate of marketing, licensing and promotional partners in support of the studio's upcoming feature film release, Megamind, which comes to theaters on November 5, 2010. As part of the marketing and promotional efforts on behalf of the film, Chase Freedom® has rolled out its first-ever movie-themed execution inspired by the signature blue of its corporate insignia that integrates the creative elements from Megamind.

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"From toys, books and video games to apparel and confection plus consumer technology, DreamWorks Animation's Megamind in all of his superhero glory will be hard to miss wherever you are this fall," commented Anne Globe, Head of Worldwide Marketing for DreamWorks Animation. "Our strong roster of promotional and licensee partners complements our theatrical campaign across the country in support of Megamind."

"Front and center to our program are new offers from leading brands within the banking and hotel industries, alongside McDonald's global Happy Meal campaign and support from HP and Intel," added Susan Spencer, the Company's Head of Promotions and Marketing Services. "We are very proud of our many returning promotional partners and number of exciting new companies, including Chase, whose outside-the-box color-themed execution on television plays brilliantly off of our film's blue hero, Megamind himself."

Among the promotional partners and licensees featured in DreamWorks Animation's Megamind campaign are:

AIRHEADS

Leading confectioner Airheads offers Megamind-themed six-packs of their signature chewy candy in support of the movie in addition to new chewy fruit flavors inspired by the film include "Mega Cherry" and "Minion-ade". Airheads is supporting the film with a dedicated television commercial and online games.

CHASE FREEDOM

Chase Freedom (www.chase.com/freedom), Megamind's exclusive financial services sponsor, provided free tickets to screenings of the movie in 30 cities across the country to nearly 7,500 card members.  In addition, a number of lucky Chase Freedom card members and their families who won auctions through Ultimate Rewards(SM), from Chase, their proprietary rewards program, will head to Hollywood for the official "blue carpet" premiere event of Megamind and one lucky customer and his or her friends and family will receive a private screening of Megamind at his or her local IMAX theatre! Chase worked with DreamWorks Animation to create two custom animated television spots featuring characters from Megamind for its Chase "Freedom" and "Ultimate Rewards" campaigns.  To view the spots, please visit the Chase Freedom Facebook Fan page at www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=769801130254.

MCDONALD'S®

In conjunction with the release of Megamind, McDonald's is launching a global Happy Meal®  program in nearly all of its 117 markets worldwide that features custom-created animated television commercials along with restaurant and digital activities. Examples include:

• In North America, McDonald's is offering eight unique Happy Meal toys via a promotion that includes themed packaging, point-of-purchase displays and exclusive online content, from games and activities in McWorld™ the virtual world, to a custom created Megamind flash game by video game publisher, THQ, and a printable $5-off coupon for any of the five Megamind video games.  
• In Europe, McDonald's is giving kids the chance to become the next hero of Metro City through fun Happy Meal, in-store and online activities.  These include special digital comic book experiences, games and even dressing your own heroic avatar.

While supplies last at participating McDonald's.  Ask about special toys for children under 3.  (C) 2010 McDonald's.

PUBLISHING

The Megamind publishing program covers a broad spectrum of unique and exciting titles for various age levels and interests, including traditional storybooks from Penguin Books, color/activity books from Dalmatian Press, comic books & graphic novels from Ape Entertainment and an innovative new digital book application from iStoryTime.

STARWOOD

During the entire month of November, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is promoting their Family Getaway packages featuring Megamind at North America Starwood Resorts. To learn more, please visit starwoodresorts.com/loveyourfamily.

TECHNOLOGY

DreamWorks Animation's technology partners HP and Intel Corporation are offering a broad range of consumer impressions on behalf of Megamind that started during the summer. At the annual Comic-Con Convention in San Diego, Intel prominently featured Megamind in their booth, in addition to offering games, prizes and a sweepstakes for a Mega Movie premiere, which was supported through social media and online promotion. HP created Megamind printables, which are available online, and also placed Megamind products at retail printing kiosks at a number of key retailers.

THQ

THQ has created a number of video game adaptations of Megamind, with a robust slate of titles that extend the story from the feature film and offers unique platform-specific game-play experiences. The adaptations created by THQ include games for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), the Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™ as well as a Megamind Mobile Game application available on the iPhone, iPod Touch and major carriers worldwide. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

TOY QUEST

Master toy licensee Toy Quest has created a full line of Megamind toys from figures to vehicles, available exclusively at Toys "R" Us.  The line includes 6", fully articulated action figures, two-pack assortments of collectible mini figures, a collector pack gift set, a Walking Robot and rounded out with a Deluxe Minion figure with lights and sounds.  All these toys are perfect for kids to reenact the movie or create their own Megamind stories!

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, 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 two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 20 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks Animation's next feature film is Megamind, scheduled to be released in 3D on November 5, 2010.

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 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: 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.