GLENDALE, Calif., June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DreamWorks
Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA) and Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) have entered into an
exclusive licensing arrangement on DreamWorks Animation's June 2008
release, "Kung Fu Panda," with Mattel serving as the worldwide master toy
licensee for the film. The deal is the first such partnership between the
leading animation studio and the world's premier toy company. The
announcement was made last evening at DreamWorks Animation's Consumer
Products division launch party for "Kung Fu Panda" in New York City, one
day before the opening of the Licensing International Expo 2007.
Mattel will be creating a wide range of products across multiple
categories of action figures, games, plush and role play for the
forthcoming release. Mattel is the No. 1 toy company in the world and also
includes the Fisher-Price and Radica Brands in its Mattel Brands portfolio.
DreamWorks Animation's latest release, "Shrek the Third," continues to
score in theaters around the world, as one of the biggest hits of the
summer.
DreamWorks Animation's Head of Worldwide Consumer Products Kerry Phelan
commented, "We are thrilled to be working with Mattel, and consider it a
truly collaborative and special relationship. Mattel shares our passion for
'Kung Fu Panda,' and we felt that they were uniquely qualified to develop
and execute a premiere toy program for our product around the globe."
Mattel's General Manager of Boys/Entertainment Tim Kilpin said, "We're
incredibly enthusiastic about 'Kung Fu Panda.' It's a wonderful and
imaginative film that gives us great content to work with to develop an
innovative and compelling toy program."
About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA) is devoted to producing
high-quality family entertainment through the use of computer-generated
(CG) animation. Utilizing world-class creative talent and state-of-the-art
technological capabilities, the company is committed to making two
computer-animated feature films a year that appeal to a broad movie-going
audience.
About Mattel, Inc.
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT) (http://www.mattel.com) is the worldwide
leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family
products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as
Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels(R),
Matchbox(R), American Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as
Fisher-Price(R) brands, including Little People(R), Power Wheels(R) and a
wide array of entertainment- inspired toy lines. Mattel is recognized as
one of the 100 Most Trustworthy U.S. Companies by Forbes Magazine and is
ranked among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by CRO Magazine. Committed to
ethical manufacturing practices, Mattel marks a 10-year milestone in 2007
for its ever-evolving Global Manufacturing Principles and focus on
sustainable business practices. With global headquarters in El Segundo,
California, Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and
territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is
to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.
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.
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SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG
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CONTACT:
Olivier Mouroux of DreamWorks Animation SKG,
+1-818-695-3425; or Michele Sturdivant of Mattel, Inc.,
+1-310-252-4374
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