DreamWorks Classics Debuts At 2012 MIPCOM

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.