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Tag: DreamWorks Animation

  • Paramount on top; rakes in $5.17 bn globally in 2011

    Paramount on top; rakes in $5.17 bn globally in 2011

    MUMBAI: Taking the crown away from Warner Bros, that was on a winning streak for the last five years, Paramount ranked No. 1 in market share at the domestic box office in 2011 with a global total to $5.17 billion.
     
    Among Paramount‘s 2011 titles, Dark of the Moon grossed $1.123 billion worldwide followed by DreamWorks Animation‘s Kung Fu Panda 2 with $665.7 million. The Paranormal Activity threequel grossed $203 million — after only costing $5 million to make. Ghost Protocol, on the other hand that released around Christmas, has grossed $366.5 million worldwide in less than three weeks.


    Overseas too, Paramount became the first studio in history to jump the $3 billion mark with its titles earning $3.21 billion. Paramount is credited for its fine-tuned marketing and distribution units, as well as for a focused development slate.
     
    Compared to Paramount, Warner Bros.‘ films took in $2.86 billion overseas for a global total of $4.67 billion, the second-best showing after Paramount among the Hollywood studios.


    “Over the last six years, we‘ve achieved everything we hoped we would,” Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey has been reported as saying.
     
    “We had three major franchise titles in 2011, Michael Bay‘s Dark of the Moon, Paranormal Activity 3 and the recalibration of Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol, with Tom Cruise doing a great job.”


    Paramount has also revealed its 2012 slate that will include films like Paranormal Activity 4, Brad Pitt’s World War Z, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Dictator.

  • Mission Impossible grosses $68.2 million in 1st weekend

    Mission Impossible grosses $68.2 million in 1st weekend

    MUMBAI: The Tom Cruise-starrer Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol grossed an estimated $68.2 million.

    The fourth entry in the action franchise played in 6,079 sites in 36 markets. South Korea led a string of number one debuts on $11.1m from 948 venues over four days, followed by Japan on $9m from 343 over three and Russia on $6.1m from 680.

    Ghost Protocol scored the biggest launch in history on the UAE on $2.4mn from 27 sites. It launched on $5.2m in France from 616 and topped the charts in Australia on $4.2m from 240. The combined Middle Eastern total amounts to $3.5m for the biggest opening weekend for any film in the region.

    DreamWorks Animation‘s Puss In Boots took another giant stride towards the $200m mark as $30.4m through PPI from 6,054 sites propelled the running total to $188.2m. The film opened in Italy on $3.3m from 385, while Germany led holdover business with $4.9m from 693 for $13m.

    In the third weekend in France $3.7m from 1,049 pushed the tally to $19.4m. Puss In Boots stands at $12.2m in Brazil and has reached $10.3m in Mexico after three, $7.7m in Australia and $6.6m in the UK and an excellent $4.7m in Argentina, all after two.

    Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows launched in six markets through Warner Bros Pictures international and generated $14.7m from 2,113 screens. The UK led the way with a $5.8m number one debut from 1,040 followed by Italy on an outstanding $5m number one from 575.

    Fox International reported that Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked launched in 38 markets day-and-date with North America to bring in $14.5m from 3,815 screens. Only six of the markets were top 16 markets and these included $4m from the UK from 756 screens for number two and $1.6m from 1,022 in Mexico for number one. The Spanish debut delivered a $1.5m number two finish from 364.

  • Dreamworks Animation appoints Dream Theatre and Kwan as representatives in India

    Dreamworks Animation appoints Dream Theatre and Kwan as representatives in India

    MUMBAI: Dreamworks Animation has roped in Kwan and Dream Theatre as its consumer products licensing and promotional representatives in India.


    Cashing in on the iconic characters from Dreamworks, Dream Theatre and Kwan will establish a licensing and merchandising program across the nation developing merchandise based on these characters.


    The main aim of the exercise will be to focus on marketing and promoting the upcoming animated movies from the production house.


    The merchandise includes items like publishing materials, apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts, novelties, as well as branded foods, personal care products and promotional licensing.


    Dreamworks has to its credits films like Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Puss in Boots and the soon to be released the Guardian.

  • Zoop from Titan launches the Puss in Boots collection

    Zoop from Titan launches the Puss in Boots collection

    MUMBAI: The Zoop brand from Titan stable has launched Puss in Boots inspired watches to celebrate the release of the animation film.


    The collection comprises of eight watches inspired by Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws, the protagonists of the movie. Titan will also launch various watches featuring Shrek and Donkey from the Shrek movies.


    Titan senior manager marketing Somprabh Singh said, “Puss in Boots is a very popular character amongst children. The audience embraced Puss in Boots in the Shrek films, and Zoop has brought the character alive in its new range of watches. The Puss in Boots collection personifies the dashing and mysterious persona of Puss in Boots and the mischievous and vivacious attitude of Kitty Softpaws. We’re also excited to be able to feature watches dedicated to the fun and evergreen elements of Shrek and his pal Donkey.”
     
    The watches come in colours like eclectic blue, red and pink, and are priced between Rs 395 and Rs 595.


    The dials are inspired by various facets of these characters while the straps come in appealing colours and are made of non-abrasive material marked by the quality hallmark of Titan.


    The Puss in Boots collection and the Shrek watches are available in all World of Titan outlets, key multi-brand outlets and large format stores across the country.


    The deal was brokered by DreamWorks Animation’s licensing agent in India Dream Theatre.

  • Shares of Dreamworks Animation rally 12 %

    Shares of Dreamworks Animation rally 12 %

    MUMBAI: Backed by its latest venture Puss in Boots’ $33 million intake at domestic cinema halls over the last weekend, shares of DreamWorks Animation soared 12 per cent. The intake denoted a miniscule drop from the $34.1 million the film scored in its opening weekend.

    The box-office result was a welcome reverse to last Monday‘s 8 per cent climb down when the film was considered a disappointment but now that it‘s considered a bona fide hit, the shares of the company rallied by $2.08 on Monday to $19.57.

    Worldwide, the film generated $115 million at the box office till yet.

  • Viacom’s revenues for the year rise 19% to $11.5 billion

    Viacom’s revenues for the year rise 19% to $11.5 billion

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom has reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended 31 December, 2006.

    For the year, revenues were up by 19 per cent to $11.5 billion. Media networks revenues rose by seven per cent to $7.24 billion, led by an increase of 11 per cent in affiliate revenues to $2.03 billion.

    Global ad revenues were up six per cent to $4.29 billion, while ancillary revenues grew two per cent to $916 million.

    Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone, said, “Viacom delivered solid results for 2006, guided by a new management team under the leadership of Philippe Dauman, who has moved quickly to put the Company back on a steady path of success. I have great confidence that we will continue to build on the momentum of the last several months both in expanding our digital horizons and continuing to grow in traditional markets.”

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe P. Dauman says, “We are making significant progress financially and operationally to ensure that we thrive in all distribution channels, including the evolving digital marketplace. Financially, our 2006 performance was strong, with double digit growth in revenues and operating income and 16 per cent growth in adjusted net earnings per share.

    “During the first quarter of this year, we took decisive steps to deploy our capital in more productive ways, including restructuring our operations here and abroad. At the same time, we continued to introduce popular new programming on our linear channels, to expand our digital operations organically and to reach innovative agreements with new digital partners. 

    Additionally, we continue to expand on our position as a leading global provider of digital wireless video, and to innovate with new online sites and experiences.”

    In 2006, acquisitions contributed $125 million in incremental revenues to media networks. The increase of 46 per cent in film revenues to $4.38 billion in 2006 from $3.00 billion in 2005 principally reflected the acquisition of DreamWorks and distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and the DreamWorks live-action library.

    This contributed $1.36 billion to 2006 revenues. Fourth Quarter revenues of $3.59 billion grew 32 per cent from $2.72 billion in 2005. Media Networks revenues rose by four per cent in the quarter to $2.08 billion from $1.99 billion in 2005 led by growth in affiliate revenues which were up 14 per cent to $532 million. Worldwide advertising revenues rose six per cent to $1.26 billion from $1.19 billion in 2005.

    Ancillary revenues declined 15 per cent in the quarter versus 2005 to $289 million, principally due to timing and mix of home entertainment releases. Acquisitions contributed $78 million in incremental revenues to Media Networks in the quarter. Film revenues doubled to $1.57 billion, with the acquisition of DreamWorks and the distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and the DreamWorks live-action library films contributing revenues of $560 million.

  • Viacom’s Q3 revenues up 7% to $2.66 billion

    Viacom’s Q3 revenues up 7% to $2.66 billion

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom Viacom has reported financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September, 2006.

    The company reported revenues and operating income of $2.66 billion and $655.5 million, respectively, for the quarter, compared with revenues and pro forma operating income of $2.48 billion and $744.5 million, respectively, in the third quarter of 2005.

    The seven per cent growth in revenues was driven by a 10 per cent revenue increase in the cable networks segment. Operating income however declined 12 per cent versus 2005 pro forma operating income, as a 14 per cent gain in the cable networks segment operating income was more than offset by a decline in the Entertainment segment.

    Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone said, “Considering the short time that Philippe Dauman has been in place as CEO, I am truly impressed with our solid third quarter results, particularly the performance of our well-known cable brands. I am confident that you will see further operational success in the not too distant future. Viacom will continue to expand on its creative heritage and move rapidly to the forefront of emerging digital markets, keeping us on the path to outstanding long term financial performance and free cash flow generation.”

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “We achieved significant financial and operational progress in the third quarter and we remain on track to deliver on our goals for the full year. I see even greater opportunities to build for future growth as we harness Viacom’s powerful brands, popular content and unique connections with the audiences that are driving the digital revolution. Viacom is rich in the short-form content that is highly attractive to online consumers, underscored by our position as a leading entertainment content property on the Internet today with an aggregate 37 million monthly unique visitors in September.

    “We intend to continue to invest in our future and enhance profitability for the long term, as well as for the short term. We are making rapid progress and are intensifying our focus on continuing to grow our industry- leading flagship brands both here and in promising markets abroad, on accelerating the growth of our less-developed cable channels and underutilized content libraries, and on driving existing and newly created programming to audiences across every platform.

    “In addition to internal development, we will continue to apply a rigorous and selective approach to acquisitions that emphasizes coordination and execution and will add businesses in core areas that offer compelling experiences for our consumers.”

    Revenues increased by $182.3 million, or seven per cent to $2.66 billion. Cable networks segment revenues increased 10 per cent to $1.84 billion. Worldwide ad revenues at the Cable Networks segment increased by seven per cent to $1,090.1 million and affiliate fees climbed 12 per cent to $510.4 million. Cable networks segment acquisitions contributed $23.7 million of revenue growth, principally internationally, or 1.4 points of the segment’s total growth.

    The entertainment segment revenues were up one per cent or $11.9 million. DreamWorks and the distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks live-action library films acquired on 31 January, 2006 contributed $279.2 million which was almost entirely offset by the box office success of War of the Worlds in the third quarter of last year. Films released in the current quarter included World Trade Center, The Last Kiss.

    The company reaffirms its full year 2006 guidance to deliver double digit revenue and operating income growth compared to 2005 revenues of $9.61 billion and 2005 pro forma operating income excluding unusual charges of $2.60 billion.

  • Katzenberg announces India animation intent

    Katzenberg announces India animation intent

    CANNES: It’s official and its coming from DreamWorks SKG cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg’s mouth. “We are coming to India in a big way,” he told indiantelevision.com at the Cannes Film Festival where he was promoing Over the Hedge. “In what shape or form we don’t know as yet, but we will.”

    Katzeberg said he had been to India three times in the past nine months. “India is a very exciting place and has potential for great animation…no other place has greater potential than India for great creative work,” he explained. “You have an excellent pool of creative talent. ”

    He however added that Dreanworks foray into India would not be in the form of outsourcing. “:It will be definitely more than that.”

    Katzenberg pointed out that what animation is witnessing is its second renaissance. “The first wave was in the eighties and was more handdrawn,” he pointed out. “Today, animation s driven by digital, by computers. It is a great time for animation. Some of the finest movie producers are taking it up. We at Dreamworks Animation are committed to producing at least two animation movies a year.”